The United States has long been known as the world superpower, with its expansive citizenship and expansive understanding of social issues. In the last few decades, politics have become a major driving force behind the discussion and action around social issues in the United States. Whether it be immigration reform, healthcare, education, economic inequality, or environmental issues, political leaders have taken vastly different positions that have had a major role in the progress (or lack thereof) of social issues throughout the country.
In this article, we’ll explore the various ways in which politics have impacted the social issues facing today’s United States. We’ll look at the positions taken by both major parties and the ways in which they work together and separately to shape the current state of social issues in America.
Immigration Reform
Immigration reform has long been a major issue for US politics. Under the Obama Administration, more focus was placed on immigration reform than ever before, with Congress passing comprehensive reform measures in 2013. Those measures primarily aimed to bring greater legal recognition to many of the millions of immigrants who currently inhabit the US.
The Trump Administration, which took office in 2017, has taken a much different approach to immigration reform. Since its inception, the administration has placed a much greater emphasis on deportations, making it harder for immigrants to enter the US. Moreover, the administration has focused on funding for a wall along the US/Mexico border and trumpeting the importance of a “merit based” immigration system. These moves have been met with significant pushback from civil rights groups and other progressive organizations.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another major social issue that politics have tried to address in the US. In 2010, the Obama Administration passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The ACA aimed to make access to healthcare easier and more affordable by introducing a marketplace of health insurance plans, offering subsidies and tax credits to help with financial assistance, and expanding access to Medicaid.
The Trump Administration has been pushing for a repeal of the ACA in favor of an alternative plan, though so far lawmakers have been unsuccessful. Health insurance prices in the US have skyrocketed, leaving many unable to afford even the most basic plans. The US has also had the highest amount of reported bankruptcies due to medical bills.
Education
Education has long been an issue of importance to US politics. Despite making up the majority of the population, children and young adults are often disenfranchised and unable to access the same educational opportunities as their adult counterparts. This has long been an issue for lower-income and underserved families, as well as minority communities.
Under the Obama Administration, education reform became a major point of emphasis. The administration focused on decreasing the cost of attending public and private universities, as well as addressing the wealth gap between minority communities and the rest of America.
The Trump Administration, however, has largely pushed for a decrease in spending on educational programs. This has led to a decrease in federal funding for public universities, continual cuts to after-school programs, and poor regulation of private charter schools and voucher programs, leaving many students to fall behind in their studies.
Economic Inequality
Income inequality has long been a major problem in the United States, with wages remaining static while the cost of living continues to increase. This has led to many families and individuals struggling to make ends meet and unable to climb out of poverty.
The Obama Administration put forth several measures aimed at addressing economic inequality in the US, such as increasing the minimum wage and introducing legislation that increased overtime pay for workers. The Donald Trump Administration, however, has largely shifted focus away from economic inequality with a focus on deregulation and tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.
Environmental Issues
Environmental issues have become increasingly serious in recent years, with climate change leading to various disasters and dangerous air quality in major cities. Under the Obama Administration, environmental regulations were in place to protect natural resources and mitigate climate change. Many of these regulations have been rolled back or weakened under the Trump Administration, with a focus on deregulating industries like oil and gas.
Social issues have traditionally been major drivers of US politics. In many cases, political parties and administrations have taken vastly different positions on social issues, causing a large gap between progressive and more conservative solutions. While there have been some successes on certain issues, such as the passage of the Affordable Care Act, there is still much work to be done in order to ensure everyone in the United States has access to the same opportunities and resources.
