Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Teacher: Mrs. Downey
By Amber Hudson
12th grade
In today’s world the government plays a huge role in regulating everything society does, from how much water in toilets, to how many cats in a house. Although there are many regulations that everyone must follow, these rules are for important reasons. The protection and the tranquility of the country depend on the regulations and how they are enforced. This is an environment that could not succeed without these rules and laws. It seems evident that there is just enough government regulation today.
In today’s society, everyone needs structure and stability. This is accomplished through laws and order. Needing stability stems from the childhood desire for trust and the need for satisfactory relationships in one’s life. If there were no regulations, chaos would rule. It might seem like it would be fun and games, but pandemonium would ensue, and nothing would be accomplished. All the regulations are there for the well being of the nation and sometimes just to make the public content. Having laws make people feel more secure because they know someone is upholding them. This country is the “home of the free;” with government regulations in place, everyone can truly feel free-minded and safe. Think for a moment about what it would be like without today’s regulations. Think of all the accidents that could occur, laws that could be broken, or even lives that could be lost because it would be no one’s job to protect the public.
Because not all regulations satisfy everyone and some do have bad consequences, there must be some costs that the population should pay. When something goes wrong, the money comes straight out of the peoples’ pocket. These unforeseen costs can be huge and sometimes impossible to pay. For example, sometimes lawsuits arise because of disagreements over regulations. These lawsuits cost money and take up the personal time of all parties involved. For most people time translates into money; hence, time spent pursuing lawsuits equates to lost income. Similarly, safety regulations often carry a heavy price tag. OSHA regulations require extensive amounts of administrative paperwork, personal hours, costly equipment, upgrades, and other additions to comply with these requirements. Occasionally, when a building or other structure is not up to code, it can be shut down. The property can be labeled “condemned” or “unfit to inhabit.” If condemned, persons suffer the loss of their place of work or sometimes their home. In addition, regulations that deal with cloning also have unexpected costs. The fact that embryo cloning is illegal now means that the researchers are now deprived of a critical source for curing many diseases or other medical conditions. On a lighter note, fun is now being restricted in parts of the country. Sports and other activities that are seen as dangerous are now being forbidden. In a town in Indiana hopscotch, baseball, basketball, and soccer are all outlawed in alleys, streets, and sidewalks.
OSHA has developed a lot of regulations that are very necessary and helpful to workers. Some include a clean air regulation that states a certain amount of clean air is required in the workplace, a regulation that states safety glasses are a must, and another states that chemicals must be disposed of properly. Environmental regulations are also mandatory. The rulings that cars can only have so much emission and that no CFC’s can be put into the air are vital to the population leading better lives in the future. In light of what has recently happened to the nation, some more essential rulings are the airplane and airline laws. Once again safety is the main focus of these regulations, and these are some regulations that all can agree are obligatory. Although some regulations are necessary, some on the other hand, are gratuitous. One such law is that one must build at least forty feet away from the road. While being called a road easement law, it does not appear worth having. Building permits are also unnecessary, especially if the building process has been started, and the authorities make the person take down what he/she has accomplished thus far. As far as taking care of one’s own yard, it is the proper thing to do, but it should not be a law. The government should not be able to regulate when one should mow or trim his/her hedges. It is just not right.
If it were left up to the people to make the decisions on what constitutes over-regulation, everything would be fairer. The people would agree on most things, and it would be easier to comply with all the regulations. All the decisions would be left up to a vote of the people. Making all the decisions should not be left up to Congress because it is obvious that the representatives’ votes do not always agree with the people. Congress should present ideas and let the people vote. If it is too hard to count the vote every time, then a new counting system should be put into place.
In conclusion, I think that there is just enough government regulation because there are not that many regulations that the people disagree with and consider unnecessary. The population, for the most part, accepts the rules and follows them. Even while some things are illegal, most projects are still being accomplished. Nothing is being stopped totally because of government regulations; just slowed. Because of this, there is still leeway for experiments to be tested, buildings to be built, roads to be made, and other work to be done. The amount of government regulations we have right now helps reach compromises that make everyone happy.
The amount of regulations we have right now also balances the interests of individuals versus those of the entire society. When something is good for one person, it might not be good for another. Also, I believe the quantity of rules is decent because with all these regulations societal norms and morals can be held up, and this unites the nation. Because everyone holds the same beliefs, unity is formed and a feeling of togetherness envelops the people. Without regulations there would be anarchy, and only the strong would survive. This would not be a good environment to live in. If there were any more regulations, then the people would think they did not have a say in anything that went on in their lives, but if there were any less, society would control everything. This might seem like a good idea, but sometimes the society’s ideas are not always what is best for them. With the amount of government regulation that is in effect, society can live and work in an environment where everyone is satisfied.
Q.1What is the only way to prevent hijackers from gaining control of an airplane
according to the unknown author?
Q.2What are the arguments given by lobbyists for the Bells in favor of HR 1542 (Tauzin-Dingell Bill) and arguments given by their opponents against legislation?
A. They argue that its members need regulatory relief to compete with cable television companies and other high-speed Internet providers, and that it would speed deployment of broadband services and help jump-start the information technology sector. The opponents say that the Tauzin-Dingell Bill would give the Bells a stranglehold on high-speed Internet service and delay the development of the next generation web technology.
Q.3Why do small-business groups like HR 1831? From the small amount of information presented in your required reading, do you think the legislation is a good idea? Why?
A. The small businesses like HR1831 because it exempts them from superfund liability. HR1831 protects businesses that discard less than 110 gallons of liquid waste or less than 200lbs of solid, non-hazardous waste at a superfund site. I believe that the superfund law is a good idea, but I think if any company uses a superfund site, regardless of the amount of waste, it should be held responsible for the liability.
Q.4Give an argument in favor of government regulating activities such as rollerblading and bungee-jumping.
A. When the government regulates activities such as rollerblading or bungee-jumping, they are merely looking out for public safety. It is the government’s job to provide a safe environment, and they can only do this if any crazy rollerbladers who do not pay attention and bungee-jumpers that might have unsafe equipment are out of the picture.
Q.5Define a “burden hour.”
A. A burden hour is supposed to measure the time it takes to collect data and fill out federal forms, surveys, and reports.
Q.6Why was Connecticut Senator, Joseph Lieberman, concerned enough to vote against the nomination of Professor John Graham as administrator of the office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the current Bush administration?
A. Lieberman thought Graham would weaken federal health, environmental, and safety standards, and he cited Graham’s past criticisms of clean-air and clean-water statutes.
Q.6a.Graham is a proponent of “risk analysis.” How is risk analysis defined on page 992 of the May 5, 2001 issue of Congressional Quarterly Weekly?
A. Risk analysis calculates the likelihood of a hazard against the costs and benefits of preventing it.
Q.6bWho was the first president to order federal agencies to weigh potential costs and benefits when writing a rule?
A. The first president to order federal agencies to weigh potential costs and benefits when writing a rule was Jimmy Carter.
Q.6How much would compliance with OSHA’s regulations to limit injuries or disabilities from performing repetitive tasks cot according to an estimate by business groups as reported in the 2000 CQ Almanac? What was the response of OSHA and Labor Department officials?
A. Their estimates range from $14 billion to $18 billion a year. The officials said that the rule is intended to be flexible and would not require most companies to act.
Q.7What was the makeup of the “iron triangle” during the Reagan years and what do environmentalists and consumer activists foresee as its composition in the current Bush administration?
A. The “iron triangle” in the Reagan years was composed of Democratic committee chairmen, agency officials, and interest groups. The environmentalists and consumer activists say that they fear the formation of a new triad that would leave them out of the equation. It would include industry officials, the White House, and GOP committee chairmen.
Q.8Name 5 actions of the Bush administration that have drawn criticism from Environmentalists.
Q.9 What did the executive order issued by Ronald Reagan in 1981 and still in effect today, require agencies to prove before new regulations were enacted? How did the Democratic House counter in 1986?
Q.10On the average, how long does it take to build an airport? A highway?
Q.11Discuss the pros and cons of licensing requirements.
Q.12Discuss the pros and cons of master plans and planning departments.
A. Good managers keep the business of government moving forward efficiently and effectively. Master plans and planning departments let one look ahead and prevent damage. However, they waste the time and intelligence of those who must take time away from home, business, trade, or profession to fill out forms and appear before numerous hearings and commissions. Communities have given too much power to planning departments and other representative groups.