Current Events #2

Topic: U.S. Politics/economy
Article: A Lost and Volatile Decade
Source:http://www.realclearpolitics.com/?state=nwa  http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/nj_20100925_2370.php

Summary: The article talks about how the economic problems of the country are causing political and social instability.  It states that the past decade has for many citizens been a series of mishaps.  It talks about how history seems to be repeating itself with this because something similar had happened during the Industrial Revolution, with the transition from farm to factory.  The article also talks about how the actions of past presidents have helped or harmed the economy, and helped set up what was to come.  Finally, it states that the government should expect to see more political instability until the economy stabilizes.

Reaction: Overall, I thought that I could really agree with the article.  In somes part of this article, I really wasn't too surprised by the information.  For example, it didn't surprise me that the economic situation was repeating itself or that the political instability was being caused by this.  There was some information that I found interesting.  For instance, I found it interesting that even before the recession, the number of people recieving health benefis from work had been steadily decreasing.

World Impact: This issue affects everyone in the United States because they are the ones that help decide who will be representing them in the government.  Every desicion made by the government is affecting them as well.  Our society is changing, and, though it has provided benefits, it has also provided porblems as well, which the citizens are hoping that the government will solve.  When the government doesn't deliver solutions to the problems, they what to change it in hopes that others will be able to provide solutions.  As such, the political instability is partly being caused by them.