Issues for debate in american public policy: selections from CQ researcher

Annotated Contents

Preface

Contributors

Environment

1. Climate Change

Are catastrophic climate change impacts inevitable?

Is climate engineering a good idea?

Should the United States adopt a carbon tax?

Background

Measuring GHGs

Calls for Action

Climate Wars

Obama's Record

Current Situation

Bypassing Congress

Public Concern

Outlook: Adapting and Leading

Notes

Bibliography

2. Coastal Development

Should state and local governments block coastal development?

Can the federal flood insurance program be fixed?

Does New York City need floodgates?

Background

Wealth and Trade Centers

Rush to the Shore

Coasts Under Pressure

In Harms Way

Current Situation

Clashing Signals

A New FEMA

Rising Seas

Oudook: Resilient Coastlines

Notes

Bibliography

Business and Economy

3. The Federal Reserve

Should the Fed's mandate still include assuring maximum employment?

Should the Fed continue its massive "quantitative easing" strategy of buying government securities?

Is the Fed too close to banks it regulates?

Background

Failed Predecessors

New System

Wartime Teamwork

Front-Page Chairmen

Current Situation

Enforcing Dodd-Frank

'Audit the Fed'

Outlook: Continuing Conflicts

Notes

Bibliography

4. U.S. Trade Policy

Will expanding free trade create jobs for Americans?

Can U.S. firms compete with state-owned companies?

Does expanding free trade help promote human rights and democracy?

Background

Evolving Trade Policy

Eliminating Tariffs

Globalization Backlash

Regional Pacts

Current Situation

Declining Deficit

Trade Talks

Congressional Action

Outlook: Change in China

Notes

Bibliography

Rights and Liberties

5. Media Violence

Does media violence cause aggressive behavior?

Are there benefits from media violence?

Should the government regulate violence in media?

Background

Early Media

Media Debate Expands

Increasing Pressures

Current Situation

Federal Efforts

State Efforts

Latest Research

Outlook: Debate Rages On

Notes

Bibliography

6. Sentencing Reform

Should mandatory sentences be rolled back?

Are lengthy sentences necessary to protect public safety?

Do alternatives to incarceration reduce recidivism?

Background

From Rehab to Punishment

Sentencing 'Reform'

Disenchantment Grows

Current Situation

Federal Actions

State Action

Outlook: New Consensus?

Notes

Bibliography

7. Racial Profiling

Are racial and ethnic profiling prevalent in U.S. law enforcement today?

Do aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics help reduce crime?

Should courts take a leading role in combating police racial and ethnic profiling?

Background

A 'Difficult' History

An 'Indefensible Practice

'Deliberate Indifference'?

Current Situation

Patterns and Practices

NYPD Changes?

Outlook: Mean Streets

Notes

Bibliography

8. Government Surveillance

Is government surveillance making the country safer?

Does government surveillance violate civil rights?

Does surveillance undermine Americans' trust in government?

Background

'Unreasonable Searches'

Court-Imposed Limits

'Vacuum-Cleaner' Spying

PRISM Program

Current Situation

Forthcoming Debate

Obama Administration

Court Action

States and Localities

Outlook: More Cameras

Notes

Bibliography

9. Gay Marriage

Does the Defense of Marriage Act improperly deny federal benefits to same-sex couples?

Did California voters violate the U.S. Constitution by passing Proposition 8?

Should the Supreme Court recognize a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry?

Background

Gay Marriage Backlash

Escalating Conflict

Momentum Shift

Current Situation

Lobbying the Court

Legislative Fights

Outlook: A Lasting Shift

Notes

Bibliography

Social Policy

10. Polarization in America

Will political polarization inevitably increase across America?

Does a no-compromise stance threaten U.S. democracy?

Should the United States shift to a parliamentary system of government?

Background

Bickering and Brawling

Impact of the Filibuster

Polarizing Media

Current Situation

Intraparty Conflicts

Redisricting Reforms

Outlook: Proposed Solutions

Notes

Bibliography

11. Whistleblowers

Are national security leakers whistleblowers?

Are federal whistleblowers adequately protected?

Are private-sector whisdeblowers adequately protected?

Background

'Lincoln Law'

Vietnam and Watergate

Famous Whistleblowers

Current Situation

Congressional Action

State and Court Actions

Outlook: Contagious Courage?

Notes

Bibliography

12. Minimum Wage

Would raising the federal minimum wage mean job losses?

Would raising the federal minimum wage reduce poverty?

Would raising the federal minimum wage help the economy?

Background

Early State Laws

Congress Acts

Postwar Years

Uneven Road

Current Situation

Federal Legislation

States Step In

Municipalities

Restricting Wages

Outlook: Action Expected

Notes

Bibliography

13. Government Spending

Is too much being spent on mandatory programs:

Is too much being spent on Social Security and Medicare?

Is too much being spent on discretionary programs?

Background

Old Wars

Building an Economy

Social Spending

Spending Backlash

Current Situation

Sequester and Stalemate

Better Budgeting

Outlook: Forever Sequester?

Notes

Bibliography

Health

14. Mental Health Policy

Should states make it easier to force the mentally ill into treatment?

Docs the medical profession define mental illness too broadly?

Do insurers treat mental and physical health equally?

Background

Rise of State Hospitals

Shirt to Community Care

Changing Federal Policy

Equal Treatment

Current Situation

Integrating Care

Mental Health in Schools

Outlook: Legislation in Limbo

Notes

Bibliography

National Security and Foreign Policy

15. Border Security

Has the border security buildup made the United States more secure?

Is it possible to 'seal' the U.S. borders?

Is the United States paying enough attention to security at its ports of entry, Canadian border and coasts?

Background

Two-Way Street

Changing Attitudes

Security Buildup

Current Situation

Deep Divisions

Srate Efforts

Cooperative Efforts

Outlook 'Drone Recycling

Notes

Bibliography

16. Improving Cyberseturity

Are doomsday cyberwar scenarios exaggerated?

Should the U.S. government impose cybersecurity standards on the private sector?

Should the United Nations regulate the Internet?

Background

Early Cyber-Attacks

Cyber-Espionage

'Hacktivist' Headaches

Current Situation

Chinese Espionage

Criminal Hacking

Outlook: Managing Intrusions

Notes

Bibliography