AP Poll: Jobs, Social Security are key for next president

Unit 2

The majority of Americans intensely believe that reducing unemployment rates and protecting the future of social security is highly important. Because Americans believe this, these issues are key for our future president. As is usual, though, there are many more economic issues between Republicans and Democrats on which agreement is not met. A random sampling poll of 1,008 people was performed by the AP-NORC was conducted in January, 2016. In the study, the sampling error was an estimated +/- 3.6 percent.

According to the AP-NORC poll, "85 percent of Americans think protecting the future of Social Security is extremely or very important for the next president and 81 percent said the same for reducing unemployment." At this rate, Social Security is only able to pay out full program benefits until 2034. On a better note, unemployment rates stand at 4.9 percent, the lowest it has been in eight years.

Democrats, unlike Republicans, feel that thinning the gap between the rich and poor is highly
important. Democrats wish to decrease the amount of people in poverty and hope to increase wages in order to balance increases in living costs. Republicans, on the other hand, are much more focused on reducing the federal deficit. They also place importance on revamping the welfare system and diminishing government regulation.

From my perspective, social security does not seem as big of a deal to me because retirement is not in my near future. Unemployment, however, is a much bigger deal to me since I will soon be entering the workforce in a couple of years. With these issues at hand, the public opinion does not seem to know which candidate will be able to best transform our economic future.

Source:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/23/the-associated-press-ap-poll-jobs-social-security-are-key-for-next-president.html

UPS Loses Supreme Court Pregnancy Discrimination Case

Unit 1

                Peggy Young, a former UPS driver sued UPS for pregnancy discrimination after they refused to make accommodations to her work responsibilities per her doctor’s orders. UPS stipulated the ability to lift 70 pounds, but she was unable to safely complete the task based on her medical situation. Her doctor instructed she lift no more than 20 pounds in her current state. ”According to Young’s Supreme Court petition, her manager told her that UPS offered light duty to workers who sustained on-the-job injuries, employees with ailments covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, and those who had lost Department of Transportation certification because of physical ailments like sleep apnea; not to pregnant workers.” (Zillman, 2015)

 

                After Young sued, UPS amended their policy for

workers who are pregnant. They now offer “temporary” light duty for pregnant workers who require special adjustments to their work responsibilities. Beginning in 2008, the case remained active and wasn’t resolved for seven years.

                In our democratic system of government, my core American values are aligned with Peggy Young. I agree that pregnant women should be allowed temporary modifications in their work life, as should any employee with a disability of some degree. No woman should have to choose between having a child and having a job. It should be a woman’s natural right to not be penalized for choosing the have a family. 

 

 Article: http://fortune.com/2015/03/25/ups-pregnancy-discrimination/