The Most Important Economic Issues Today

Pharmaceutical Prices and Practices show over45% of the global pharmaceutical market.Forty-five percent of the global pharmaceutical market exists in the United States. Major company drug prices and practices cause serious concern. Are drug prices fair for the average American?

Debate surrounds healthcare and the economy because of the future of the Affordable Care Act. Some studies estimateHealthcare spending consumes 30% of the total.Thirty percent of healthcare spending goes toward unnecessary expenses. How should the government fund healthcare, and how do we spend the money well?

Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law as a basic, essential program for seniors.Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law.Medicare started in 1965. Medicare and similar programs face budget cuts. Where does Medicare rank on the economy's importance scale?

The National Association of Home Builders reportsThe National Association of Home Builders reportsAffordable housing made little real progress in 2017. Last year, about 58% of homes sold were within the median income range. Is this enough? Or should we focus more on building and selling more affordable homes?

Major tax system changes mean millions of Americans might see higher tax deductions, bracket shifts, and changing health insurance costs. Where do you stand on these recent system overhauls?

Can campaign financing be a fair way for candidates to speak and draw attention to important policies? Or does campaign financing further corrupt an election system, letting only the richest candidates win?

Programs like defense, Social Security, and healthcare support our nation's economy and welfare. Some argue there is too much wasteful government spending, including the $30,000 government funding in 2017.Re-creation of Hamlet (starring canines)Is the government allocating funds to the right places?

Despite introductions since 2009, theThe Paycheck Fairness Act addresses Income Inequality.The Paycheck Fairness Act has kept failing through Senate legislation. The act bans paying different wages for men and women doing the same jobs. Do we have enough progress on income equality for all genders?

The Job Growth situation is...US added 313,000 new jobs in February 2018 alone.The US added 313,000 new jobs in February 2018 alone. Should we keep directing time and resources to job growth, or should we focus economic energy on areas needing more attention?

How much should a nation spend on defense? Currently, Defense Spending accounts for 16 percent of all federal funding.Sixteen percent of all federal funding goes toward defense. Is this number too high, or is it needed to keep the country safe?

Corporate Tax rates plan to drop from thirty-five percent to twenty-one percent in 2018. Does this help the economy by encouraging companies to grow? Or should corporations pay more money into government programs?Corporate Tax saw a drop from 35% to 21%.Corporate Tax rates drop from thirty-five percent to twenty-one percent in 2018. Does this help the economy by encouraging companies to grow? Or should corporations pay more money into government programs?

In 2018, several states adoptedMedicaid expansion remains an issue.Medicaid expansion makes low-cost healthcare available to more adults. How much of the poverty level should programs like Medicaid cover?

Food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) all count as welfare. Trump plans toSlash welfare spending.Does the government owe these services? Or is welfare just wasted money?

How do we shrink the national debt? Should we cut extra government programs or raise taxes for relief?

America saw the lowest unemployment ratessince 2008Some argue the unemployment rate lies. Many Americans, especially those who grew up during recessions, stay jobless or underemployed. Does unemployment still rank high on your economic list?

Property taxes have increased in the last decadeover 180 percentShould the government offer property tax relief to ease the burden?

Some view green energy as a job creator and environmental benefit. Others see it as an unrealistic move leading to wasteful government spending. Should America push toward a cleaner future?

TheAverage student loan debt.For 2016 graduates, debt topped $35,000, and monthly payments averaged between $200 and $350. Can our government help students get degrees without crippling debt?

Pensions and 401ks were the standard in the United States. Recently, pensions paid only by the employee are growing more common. Does this stop Americans from retiring well?

Some economists suggest a housing market crash could happenin 2018 or 2019Given the damage from the subprime mortgage crisis in the early 2000s, should we act more to stop a second crash?

Unions back union member pay and benefits. Some feel they also slow growth and extend recessions. What role do labor unions play in our economy?

Since the 1970s, the United States government has spent nearly $1 trillion fighting the drug war. Does this spending help public welfare? Or does the drug war fail, meaning extra costs hurt the economy without clear gains?

As theTrump administration increases tariffson many Chinese products. What effect will this have on our economy? Do you support raising tariffs to punish Chinese trade or redirect trade?

The North American Free Trade Agreement ended trade tariffs between North America, Canada, and Mexico. The Trump administration plans to change NAFTA terms and threatens withdrawal if demands fail. What happens if the U.S. leaves NAFTA?

Several methods boost an economy after a recession. Should we increase government spending to start economic growth?

Do cryptocurrencies damage the dollar, the world's firmest currency? Or do crypto benefits beat the downsides?

Giant online businesses like Amazon hurt tax-paying stores because many buyers choose cheaper online goods. Online sales taxes raise online shopping costs, but they also generateover $13 billionyearly for states.

Trump's first action in office involved pulling the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal that would have built theworld's largest free trade zone.The TPP has since become the similarTrans-Pacific Trade Deal.Some view these deals as strengthening America's spot in the world economy. Others see them as a threat to United States sovereignty.