Blog 2 SPC2608-2267-7219 Group 4 Liliam Bravo

Reflection on the Group Presentation: Elections Matter — The Economy

Participating in the group presentation about "Elections Matter" and the economy gave me the opportunity to look more closely at how political decisions influence our everyday lives. Before working on this project, I understood that elections were important because they determine who leads the country and makes decisions about public policies. However, researching the economy helped me understand that elections have a much broader impact. Decisions involving government spending, employment, wages, inflation, taxes, and other economic policies can affect businesses, families, students, and the opportunities available to future generations.

My responsibilities in the group were to present the introduction, explain the connection between economic policies and college students, discuss the Democratic Party's documented position on jobs, wages, and employment, and deliver part of the conclusion. Having several responsibilities allowed me to understand the overall topic instead of focusing only on one economic issue.

One of the most interesting parts of my research was examining the Democratic approach to jobs, wages, and employment. Democrats generally support using government investment, infrastructure spending, and financial incentives to encourage job creation. They also emphasize increasing the minimum wage, strengthening workers' rights, and supporting labor unions. The intention behind these policies is to improve workers' earnings, reduce poverty, and create more economic opportunities.

However, researching these policies also made me consider their possible disadvantages. For example, increasing the minimum wage does not automatically mean that workers will have greater purchasing power. If the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, and other necessities increases faster than wages, people may actually become less financially comfortable despite earning more money. I also learned that businesses must consider their operating expenses. When labor costs increase, some employers may respond by increasing prices, reducing working hours, slowing down hiring, or eliminating positions. These outcomes are not guaranteed, but they are important possibilities when evaluating employment policies.

One piece of research that particularly caught my attention was the comparison between wages and consumer prices during President Biden's term. The graph from Texas A&M University's Private Enterprise Research Center showed that, between January 2021 and January 2025, average hourly wages increased approximately 19.7%, while consumer prices increased around 21.5%. This demonstrated how inflation can reduce the purchasing power of workers even when their paychecks increase. It helped me understand why looking at salary increases alone does not provide a complete picture of people's financial situations.

Another important part of our project was connecting economic policies to college students. I believe this was one of the most relevant aspects because many of us are preparing to enter the workforce or are already balancing school with employment. A degree does not automatically guarantee a well-paying job, and students must consider whether available employment opportunities can provide enough income to afford the cost of living. Research about recent college graduates also showed that unemployment and underemployment remain important concerns. This made me think about how decisions made today can affect our opportunities after graduation.

The interview with Roylam Amaro was another valuable part of the project. His perspective helped me look beyond political campaign promises and consider how government decisions influence the distribution of funds and economic priorities. One statement that stood out to me was his idea that "Politics is about emotions, and economics is about logic." I found this particularly interesting because people sometimes make political decisions based on personal feelings, party loyalty, or campaign messages without examining the economic consequences of the policies being proposed.

He also emphasized the importance of paying attention to gas and energy prices, employment opportunities, labor-market stability, and the cost of living. His point about finding a job that actually provides enough income to cover living expenses connected directly with our discussion about college students and recent graduates. He also reminded us that the government does not have complete control over the job market because businesses, industries, international markets, and other economic factors influence employment.

The America-versus-the-world comparison gave me another perspective on the subject. By examining the United States alongside other developed countries, I learned that governments approach minimum wages, employment protections, and worker benefits differently. For example, many European countries have stronger employment protections than the United States, while the American labor market generally provides employers with more flexibility. These differences demonstrate that economic policies involve trade-offs. Stronger worker protections may provide greater job security, while greater employer flexibility may make it easier for businesses to adjust their workforce. Comparing countries helped me understand that there is no single economic approach without advantages and disadvantages.

Another lesson I took from this project was the importance of using reliable sources. Researching political and economic topics can be challenging because information is often presented from a particular political perspective. Using government agencies and independent research organizations, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Government Accountability Office, helped us distinguish documented information from political opinions. I also learned that statistics must be interpreted carefully. For example, if unemployment increases or inflation decreases during a president's term, that does not automatically prove that the president's policies caused the change. Other economic conditions and decisions also influence those outcomes.

Overall, this project helped me become more aware of the relationship between elections and the economy. I learned that economic policies should not be evaluated only by their intentions or promises, but also by their actual results, costs, and long-term consequences. A policy may help one group while creating challenges for another, which is why it is important to examine different perspectives before reaching a conclusion.

Most importantly, I realized that college students should pay more attention to economic issues during elections because these decisions will affect the jobs we can obtain, the wages we earn, the prices we pay, and our ability to become financially independent. We may not control every economic decision made by the government, but we can educate ourselves, question political claims, and become more informed participants in our communities.

In conclusion, this presentation taught me that elections matter because economic decisions have consequences beyond politics. They influence the opportunities available to individuals, the stability of businesses, and the financial future of families. I believe that being an informed citizen requires looking beyond political promises, understanding the evidence, and considering both the benefits and disadvantages of proposed policies. This is something I will carry with me not only as a college student, but also as a future professional and member of my community.