Issues | UNITED STATES

US Issues Overview

US Curators have started posts on legislation being considered by Congress to address important issues facing the US. These issues fall into 16 categories:

Within each category, our curators have identified three of the most pressing issues being addressed by Congress as well as other issues related to the category. The first post in each category is a summary of all the specific posts in the category.
In each of the issue posts, there is a place for questions and feedback for the post’s curators and an area for ongoing forum discussions on the issue. Select the “Discuss” icon to go to this section. OnAir membership is required to comment. All that is needed to become an onAir member is one’s first and last name, email address, and zip code. OnAir does not share or resell this information.

OnAir Post: US Issues Overview

US Democracy is a representative democracy, meaning that the people choose their government officials. These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government. This is different from a direct democracy, where citizens vote directly on every issue.

There are many issues related to US Democracy that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
The US Democracy category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Voting Rights, Money in Politics, and Partisan Polarization..

To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The roots of America's democracy problem
Vox – 20/11/2018 (07:09)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ySL82WbcvU&t=16s

Minority rule is a majority problem.

Economy & Jobs

The United States is a highly developed mixed economy. It is the world’s largest economy by nominal GDP; it is also the second largest by purchasing power parity (PPP), behind China. It has the world’s sixth highest per capita GDP (nominal) and the eighth highest per capita GDP (PPP) as of 2024. The U.S. accounted for 26% of the global economy in 2023 in nominal terms, and about 15.5% in PPP terms.

There are many issues related to Economy & Jobs that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
The Economy & Jobs category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: High Tech Manufacturing, Income Equality, and Inflation.

To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

State of U.S. productivity
CNBC 3.36M – 25/08/2023 (18:08)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8esItLD6vg

Labor productivity is a key, if often overlooked, economic indicator that policymakers use to gauge the health of the economy and guide fiscal and monetary policy decisions. But the U.S. has seen a productivity slump in recent years. And while the reasons for the decline are up for debate, the economic impacts are wide-ranging and can be felt across the board. So just how is productivity measured, how effective of a metric is it, what’s behind the slowdown and what impact does it have on the economy?
Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction
01:49 — How productivity gets measured
05:46 — State of U.S. productivity
12:00 — Downsides of sluggish productivity
13:54 — What’s next?

OnAir Post: Economy & Jobs

Education

Education is a fundamental human right that empowers individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to society. It’s the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values that enable us to understand the world, make informed decisions, and lead fulfilling lives. The U.S. is governed by federal, state, and local education policy. Education is compulsory for all children, but the age at which one can discontinue schooling varies by state and is from 14 to 18 years old. Free public education is typically provided from Kindergarten (ages 5 and 6) to 12th Grade (ages 17 and 18)

There are many issues related to Education that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
The Education category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Apprenticeships, STEM Learning, and AI in Education.

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Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education –
House Committee on Education & the Workforce – 16/05/2023 (05:00:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6wtDyicSsI

Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans are committed to fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed, and employers to thrive.

OnAir Post: Education

Energy & Environment

The production, delivery, and use of energy sources can have effects on the environment. The type and size of the effects vary.

There are many issues related to Energy & Environment that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
The Energy & Environment category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Climate Change, Carbon-based Fuel, and Pollution.

To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Dual Challenge: Energy and Environment
TEDx Talks – 09/05/2022 (17:51)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnT-PYHaSxA

The world faces two important and interrelated challenges. Affordable and reliable energy for all, and protecting the environment. The energy-environment challenge is not simple, but it is solvable if we understand and address the complex fabric of energy security, scale of energy demand, physics of energy density, distribution of energy resources, interconnectedness of the land, air, water and atmosphere, and the extreme disparity in global wealth and economic health.

The truth is that there are no good and bad, clean and dirty, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They all have benefits, and they all have challenges. Climate change is an important issue, but it is not the only environmental issue. Solar and wind are important low carbon solutions, but they are only part of the solution. We must put our best minds to the task of addressing the dual challenge, working together to better the world. Dr. Scott Tinker is a global explorer who works to bring industry, government, academia, and NGOs together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. Dr. Tinker is Director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Scott formed and is Chairman of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance (SEA), and together with Director Harry Lynch, co-produced and is featured in the award-winning energy documentary films Switch and Switch On, which have been screened in over 50 countries to more than 15 million viewers and are used on thousands of educational campuses worldwide. SEA produced Switch Classroom, used in AP Environmental Science classes nationwide. Scott is the creator and voice of Earth Date, a weekly program featured on over 425 public radio stations in all 50 United States. In his visits to some 60 countries, Scott has given nearly 1000 keynote and invited lectures. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

OnAir Post: Energy & Environment

Food & Housing

Food and housing insecurity are two interconnected issues that can have significant impacts on individuals and communities. They often occur together, creating a vicious cycle where limited access to affordable housing can hinder the ability to purchase nutritious food, and vice versa.

There are many issues related to Food & Housing that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Food & Housing category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Food Insecurity, Housing Availability, and Sustainable Agriculture.

How the US made affordable homes illegal
Vox – 16/08/2021 (09:41)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Flsg_mzG-M

Over the past year, housing prices in the US rose precipitously. Low interest rates and millennials’ entry into the market spiked demand across the nation, leading housing prices in some cities to increase by more than 20 percent in one year, and crushing the dreams of many would-be homeowners.

OnAir Post: Food & Housing

Federal Government

The Federal Government of the United States is a complex system of institutions and agencies responsible for governing the country. It is based on the principles of democracy, republicanism, and federalism. The Federal Government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the US Constitution.

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There are many issues related to Federal Government that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.

The Federal Government category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Regulations, Deficit & Debt, and Citizen Engagement.

What is good governance?
Sunhak Peace Prize – 03/11/2020 (03:58)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHEx1Yv7rPs

Have you ever wondered what makes good governance? A part of our “What is…” series, “What is good governance?” explores the origin of the concept of governance and the characteristics that make it good. Watch to learn about good governance and see how you can also participate.

OnAir Post: Federal Government

Global Affairs

Global affairs is a broad field that encompasses the interactions and relationships between countries, organizations, and non-state actors on a worldwide scale. It involves studying and analyzing a wide range of issues, including: International relations, Global governance, Security, Human rights,, Economic development and Environmental issues.

There are many issues related to Global Affairs that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Global Affairs category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Russia, China, and the Middle East.

What Is Foreign Policy?
National Museum of American Diplomacy – 27/03/2023 (04:45)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSHIICl_AkY

Foreign policy is how a country uses different strategies to guide its relationships with other countries and international organizations.

This means that foreign policy is made up of different global issues, relationships with other countries, and even domestic politics. The foreign policy of the U.S. government may change between different presidential administrations. However, the guiding principles of U.S. foreign policy remain constant: promotion of security, democracy, prosperity, and development in the United States and around the world.

In this video, learn more about how security, democracy, prosperity, and development inform U.S. foreign policy decisions.

OnAir Post: Global Affairs

Healthcare

Healthcare is a broad term encompassing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, as well as the maintenance of health. It is an essential component of any society, providing individuals with the tools and resources to live healthy, productive lives.

There are many issues related to Healthcare that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Healthcare category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Infectious Diseases, Addictions, and Health Promotion.

Why U.S. Health Care Is Getting More Expensive
CNBC – 28/02/2022 (11:19)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRihG16iSug

Health-care spending is consistently rising around the world, but the United States is the worst performer when it comes to controlling costs. A lack of universal coverage in the U.S. and a fragmented and heavily commercialized system leads to rising costs and excessive spending. Watch the video to learn more about why health-care costs are rising in the U.S. more than anywhere else and how that can be stopped.

OnAir Post: Healthcare

Human Rights

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.

There are many issues related to Human Rights that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Human Rights category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Abortion, Gun Rights, and Discrimination.

3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights
TED-Ed – 30/10/2012 (03:30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEfLm5dLMQ

Daily, Americans exercise their rights secured by the Constitution. The most widely discussed and debated part of the Constitution is known as the Bill of Rights. Belinda Stutzman provides a refresher course on exactly what the first ten amendments grant each and every American citizen.

Lesson by Belinda Stutzman, animation by Jacques Khouri.

OnAir Post: Human Rights

Immigration

The United States has a long history of immigration, with people from all over the world coming to its shores seeking new opportunities, freedom, and a better life. Immigration has played a significant role in shaping the country’s culture, economy, and demographics.

There are many issues related to Immigration that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Immigration category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Border Security, Work Visas, and Dreamers.

Wisconsinites debate immigration issues
PBS NewsHour – 29/02/2024 (05:46)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIKyl5EmUys

Judy Woodruff and her America at a Crossroads team have traveled the United States in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, asking Americans what divides and unites them.

The reporting has led to “Crossroads: A Conversation with America,” a town hall hosted by Woodruff. More than 50 Wisconsin residents from across the political spectrum met for a frank discussion about the challenges we face as a country.

With immigration being a major topic during the presidential campaign, the group offered several opinions.

“My grandmother, when she got here, learned English and assimilated. She said she kissed the ground she lived on and she would never return because it afforded her all kinds of possibilities,” said Cheryle Rebholz, a beauty salon owner and Republican. “We can’t go and enter other countries like yours are entering ours. And we have to embrace and enforce the laws. Otherwise, we have civil chaos and we’re all feeling it in every single state.”

“When you’re fleeing a country, you’re fleeing it out of necessity,” said Antonio Alcazar, a small business owner and child of parents who arrived in the U.S. without documentation. “My family specifically did exactly that. They left an impoverished zone. And it’s an area that I wouldn’t have had any amount of resources or prospects or options. And yet now I’m a successful business owner. And that is something that’s come through a lot of struggle, especially being undocumented until 2012.”

OnAir Post: Immigration

Infrastructure

U.S. infrastructure includes rail networks, bridges, energy systems, wastewater services, aviation networks, roadways, drinking water systems and more. Maintaining and modernizing U.S. infrastructure impacts national security, economic prosperity and the overall well-being of all residents.

There are many issues related to Infrastructure that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Infrastructure category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: High Tech Manufacturing, Income Equality, and Inflation.

Breaking down the infrastructure bill's impact on climate change
PBS NewsHour – 05/08/2021 (05:15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IJp5yzZmzw

The current infrastructure bill includes $150 billion for clean energy and climate change protections. Tens of billions would also be utilized to fight extreme weather like drought, wildfire, flooding and erosion, with a host of smaller programs like low-emission busses, cleaner ports and even more trees. Rebecca Leber, who covers climate change for Vox, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss.

OnAir Post: Infrastructure

National Security

National security is a fundamental responsibility of any government, and the United States is no exception. It encompasses the protection of the nation’s citizens, territory, and institutions from external threats. This includes, but is not limited to, military defense, intelligence gathering, diplomacy, and economic security.

There are many issues related to National Security that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The National Security category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Cybersecurity, NATO, Robotic Warfare.

National Security Operations Center
National Security Agency – 23/06/2023 (01:03)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrunHo4Qvt4

The National Security Operations Center is the National Security Agency’s nerve center, responsible for managing its cryptologic posture for time-sensitive actions and crisis response to optimize the agency’s global effectiveness and provide actionable intelligence to decision-makers. NSOC personnel have never left the watch, ensuring that NSA is responsive 24 hours a day, every day. Learn about NSOC, its mission, and its people, in this brief overview.

OnAir Post: National Security

Public Safety

Public safety is the protection of the public from harm and danger. It involves a wide range of activities and services designed to ensure the well-being and security of individuals and communities.

There are many issues related to Public Safety that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Public Safety category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Gun Laws, Disinformation, Prison Reform.

The Future of Public Safety
TEDx Talks – 15/05/2019 (18:15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itptti4f-V8

Troy Riggs talks about his experience with public safety, and ways that the major cities within the United States of America can improve their public safety efforts.

OnAir Post: Public Safety

Science & Technology

The United States has a long and storied history of scientific and technological innovation, serving as a global leader in many fields. This leadership is driven by factors such as:

Strong research institutions: The nation boasts world-class universities, research laboratories, and national scientific foundations that foster groundbreaking research.
Government support: Federal agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide significant funding for scientific research and development.
A culture of innovation: The United States has a culture that encourages risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of new ideas.
Collaboration: The U.S. has a strong tradition of collaboration between academia, industry, and government, leading to efficient knowledge transfer and commercialization of research.

There are many issues related to Science & Technology that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.

To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Science & Technology category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Nanotechnology, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Space Exploration.

Top Future Tech Trends to Watch in 2024
CNET – 28/12/2023 (03:03)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LeyxVxl480

We run down the top tech trends to watch in 2024: quantum computers, electric vehicles, and brain-computer interfaces.

OnAir Post: Science & Technology

Seniors

The U.S. senior population is growing rapidly. This trend is primarily driven by the baby boomers, the large generation born between 1946 and 1964.There were 57.8 million adults age 65+ living in the U.S. in 2022. This included 31.9 million women and 25.9 million men. One-quarter (25%) of adults age 65+ were from racially and ethnic minority communities in 2022.

There are many issues related to Seniors that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Seniors category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Social Security, Medicare, and Longevity.

60 minutes
60 Minutes – 24/02/2024 (01:07:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtv5COcjGhw

From 2019, Jon Wertheim’s report on Jerry and Marge Selbee, the couple who hacked the lottery. From 2014, Lesley Stahl’s look at a landmark study of thousands of elderly retirees living in Southern California that is intended to reveal factors that contribute to long life. From 2020, Stahl’s follow-up on the study. And from 2019, Stahl’s interview with then-81-year-old Marshall Medoff, who developed an innovative method of turning plant life into fuel and other useful products.

OnAir Post: Seniors

Veterans

Veterans in the United States are individuals who have served in the country’s armed forces. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Veterans come from diverse backgrounds and have served in various capacities, from combat roles to support functions.

There are many issues related to Veterans that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Veterans category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Mental Health, Job Opportunities, Homelessness.

Powerful Veterans Day Video
ConEquip Parts and Equipment – 11/11/2019 (05:31)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHG_TA1T5mg

We are so fortunate to live in such a great county. We came across this powerful Veterans Day video online and wanted to share it.

OnAir Post: Veterans