1. Domestic Policy

– A.Definition• 1. the decisions, actions, and principles that guide

the government’s approach to issues and problems within the United States.

• In other words- D.P. generally focuses on concerns within the United States.

B. Regulatory policy- The government oversees the activities of individuals, businesses, and governmental institutions.

Summary of the Acts- New Federal government agencies such as the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Trade Commission were established to limit the control of massive industries- end monopolies.

1. Regulating Business

a. Monopolies- a business or group having exclusive control and lacking competition.

1. The Interstate Commerce Act in 1887.

2. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

3. The Clayton Act of 1914.

2. Regulating Labor

a. The Wagner Act of 1935.

b. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

c. The Taft- Hartley Act of 1947.

d. The Landrum- Griffin Act of 1959.

Summary of the Acts- New federal government agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) were established. These boards provided safeguards for the American worker, attempted to guarantee equal employment opportunities and improved workplace safety standards.

3. Regulating the Environment and Energy

a. Conservation efforts- 1st national park Yellowstone National Park founded in 1872.

b. 1916- The National Park Service was established.

c. Other Agencies followed- U.S. Forest Service to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

d. Other major anti-pollution policies followed and dealt with air and water control.

C. Social Policy- the federal government oversees the safety and welfare of it’s citizens.

1. Health Care

a. Research and supervision- The Public Health Service- National Institutes of health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.

b. Cost Control- government pays more than 40% of health care costs through veterans’ hospitals and programs for the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.

1. Medicare- (65 and older)

1966- $3.2 Billion

2002- $229 Billion

2. Medicaid- medical benefits for low-income people, the disabled, and the unemployed.

2. Welfare- aid given by the government or private agencies to the needy or disabled.

a. Public Assistance- aid programs funded by state and federal tax money. They are available to those who meet eligibility requirements based on need.

b. Social insurance programs- programs created to help elderly, ill, and unemployed citizens. They are funded by personal contributions and available to those who have paid into them.

3. Education

a. Federal government involved when congress passed the Morill Land Grant Act in 1862. b. After WWII, paid college tuition for war veterans under the G.I. Bill. c. Most of the federal money goes to higher education- grants and student loans.

d. 1950’s and 1960’s to upgrade science, math and language courses. e. Great Society programs- Head Start and Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

f. Only 10% of the money comes from the federal government. State and local government funds the majority.