You've seen many different perspectives on what role the US government should play in people's lives. Generally, in the Progressive Era, government favored fighting the evils of big business to the benefit of the people at large, while in the 1920s government tended to favor the industrial side of business, sometimes to the detriment of the agricultural industry. The prosperity that resulted was dramatic, as was the crash that led to the Great Depression. You've probably noticed that issues related to the role of government recur in history and in our lives. In what ways and in what circumstances is it beneficial for the government to be involved in Americans' lives? When and how is it detrimental? Discuss at least two of the following aspects of American life in your responses.

the financial industry

energy and the environment

education

healthcare

campaign financing

technological development

media

food and drugs

Biotechnology can potentially benefit mankind by leading to the discovery of new drugs and vaccines. But biotechnology research can also have unintended and dangerous outcomes, so government regulation is necessary. At the same time, private enterprise should be allowed to speed up research and innovation in this vital industry, with financial benefits and philanthropic objectives as concurring goals.

energy and the environment The 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused virtually irreversible damage to the marine environment. This disaster calls into question the proper role of the national government in regulating industry that may have an adverse effect upon the environment.

Explanation:

PLATO example answer

(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)