Describe 10 economic problems that currently affect the United States. (These could range from minimum wage, environmental / environmental regulations, immigration issues, trade issues, taxes, and distribution of income etc. – whatever YOU think are the biggest economic issues facing us.) Each problem should be described in a paragraph, and each paragraph should contain at least one fact directly related to the problem at hand. (Cite sources accordingly with a list of references at the end of your assignment. Style doesn’t matter.) Each problem should be unique. (To insure that’s the case, at the start of each paragraph, please place the main issue in bold. See example below.)
TAXES – Current tax rates in the U.S. are too (high or low – your choice!). Based on information from the IRS, the top 1% of Americans currently pay XYZ% in taxes. This is problematic because ……
Use your own words! This is just to give you an idea.
Which problem do you think is the biggest problem?
Identify one specific problem from your list above in step 1, and write a lengthier explanation about this problem (roughly 500 words). Do a little more research. Explain more thoroughly.
Brainstorm solutions to your main problem from step 3. You need at least 5 different solutions. Each solution should be described in a short paragraph about 2-3 sentences long, providing a little more detail than a quick list would provide. Again, mark the main point of each solution in bold so that they can quickly be linked to
Criteria – select three to five criteria with which to evaluate your solutions. In this step, you are literally just listing the criteria you will use, forming them as questions and numbering them 1-5. Once the questions are written, highlight the main point of each in bold. See below for an example.
Which solution will be easiest to implement?
Other ideas for criteria might include – most popular, least costly, most environmentally friendly, etc. Just make sure that your 3-5 criteria are unique.
Create a matrix to evaluate FIVE of your solutions from Step 3 using your criteria from Step 4. You can use the table function in word to create something like the following. Please put your solutions on one axis using the bolded terms from Step 3 and your bolded criteria from Step 4. Then, in each category, RANK your solutions from 1 (Best) to 5 (Worst). See below for example.
After ranking each solution 1 through 5 – again, 1 is BEST for the criteria and 5 is worst – Add up your total scores for each solution. Lowest is the winner!
6. Take your winning solution from Step 5 (the one with the LOWEST score), and elaborate. Write a lengthier explanation (roughly 800 words) on why this is the best solution. How does it perform so well according to your criteria? How could this solution be implemented today? What are some unintended consequences that we might be able to plan for in advance?
