America is a country where legislative initiatives can radically change society. In recent decades, various political and social groups have been actively proposing reforms in a wide variety of areas. Some of these initiatives can actually have a big impact on the future of the country. Let’s take a look at a few current and real legislative initiatives that could change America.
Universal Health Insurance
One of the most debated and controversial topics is the proposal to implement universal health insurance. The Medicare for All bill was proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders and supported by a number of Democratic candidates, including Elizabeth Warren and Julian Castro. This initiative proposes the creation of a single health insurance system for all U.S. citizens, which would be funded by taxes rather than through private insurance.
Proponents of this initiative believe that it can reduce the financial burden on citizens and ensure the availability of health care for all segments of the population. Studies show that countries with universal healthcare, such as the UK and Canada, have significantly lower medical costs than the US. However, opponents of Medicare for All argue that the cost of such reform may be too high and will result in higher taxes for the middle class.
Criminal Justice Reform
The criminal justice system in the US has been criticized for high incarceration rates and unfair treatment of minorities. As of 2021, the US has more than 2 million prisoners, the largest prison system in the world, and black Americans are incarcerated at 5 times the rate of white Americans.
Criminal justice reform has become a key topic in the political arena, especially after the protests associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. In response, various initiatives have been proposed such as improving prison conditions, reducing sentences for non-violent offenses, and rethinking mandatory minimum sentences. In 2018, the First Step Act was passed, which has already resulted in reduced prison sentences for some federal inmates.
Experts believe that further reform along these lines will help reduce incarceration rates in the U.S. and create opportunities to rehabilitate prisoners, as well as address racial disparities in the justice system.
Changes in taxation
In recent years, discussions about taxation of the wealthy and large corporations have intensified in the US. One of the most prominent initiatives is a proposal to bring back a tax on the incomes of the super-rich proposed by Democrats in Congress. In 2021, President Joe Biden proposed to increase corporate taxes from 21% to 28% to fund infrastructure projects and social programs.
According to research, increasing taxes on large corporations and wealthy citizens can reduce inequality and improve a country’s economic situation. For example, in countries with high taxes on the rich, such as Sweden or Norway, there is a higher degree of social mobility and access to services for all citizens.
Combating climate change
According to the World Bank, the U.S. is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, which has a significant impact on climate change. In response, President Biden returned the U.S. to the Paris Climate Agreement in January 2021 and proposed ambitious plans to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030.
A key initiative in the fight against climate change is to propose significant investment in green energy. Biden’s plan calls for creating millions of jobs in the renewable energy sector, as well as improving infrastructure for electric cars. Experts believe that such measures could significantly reduce the country’s dependence on fossil energy and lead to a more sustainable economy in the future.
Rights of transgender people
Awareness and support for the rights of transgender people in the U.S. has increased significantly in recent years. However, they continue to face discrimination in various areas, including employment, health care, and access to public services. One of the most important legislative initiatives is the Equality Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in 2021 and aims to expand the rights of transgender people.
This law offers protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas such as education, work, housing, and public accommodations. Passing the law could be a significant step toward equality for all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Conclusion
Among the many legislative initiatives proposed in the U.S., there are a few that could radically change the country. Reforms in the areas of health care, taxation, justice, the environment, and human rights have the potential to not only improve the economic and social status of citizens, but also increase the level of justice in society. Of course, these initiatives require broad political agreement and popular support, but many of these reforms are already becoming a reality, which promises big changes for America’s future.
