American Government Coursework Example

American Government
A Congress political gridlock refers to the occurrence of a stalemate in politics which makes it hard to approve that cater to the needs of all the citizens. One of the causes of gridlock is lack of bridge-builders; this refers to men and women in the Congress that can make decisions based on the greater good of the people rather than being led by partisan politics (Iniguez). However, in the current government, there exist an almost evenly divided congressional and electorate terms whose primary function is focusing on reelection. Therefore, there is little or no cause to vote across a party someone is not affiliated to in regards to various motions.
Voters can also cause a gridlock. The citizens may blame those in public office as they may seem unable to make hard decisions and compromises that make it possible for the government to function. However, decision-makers are voted in by the same people complaining of a disorganized government. The desires of the citizens play a significant role in the manner in which officeholders behave after they are elected. For example, in 2008, the citizens positioned Barrack Obama in power giving him a Democratic congressional majority. However, after two years, they transferred control of the House to the people who had made it clear that they intend to take all the measures necessary in stopping Obama from achieving anything he had planned and also reversing everything he had accomplished (Frank, 2015). The same citizens later gave Obama back the power in 2012, renewing his mandate but reverted it in 2014, therefore, empowering his unrelenting opponents.

Gridlocks can result in various harsh consequences. It is, therefore, essential to come up with solutions when they occur. One of the methods of solving gridlocks is getting rid of the aspect of winning and losing when making decisions. Some gridlocks arise because the success of one side means that the other party failed. Solving this requires the rules not to be based on winning and losing. The citizens want problems solved without compromising the common good. Therefore, the meaning of success should be redefined. The voters should declare those that invest time in coming up with decisions that favor the common good the winners while those that make decisions based on non-rational partisan lines the losers.
Gridlocks can also be solved if the people elected in office represent the interests of the people. Representatives from different parties are capable of working out solutions on their own. However, if the interests of the citizens are not portrayed in those decisions, it makes the people feel betrayed. Such actions have resulted in representative getting primaried whereby incumbent political officials are challenged in upcoming elections by people from their political parties. One of the methods of solving this issue is through representatives representing the welfares of their constituents instead of adhering to their positions (Armajani, 2012). Interest-based negotiations start by two sides declaring their interests rather than starting with proposals; this eliminates problems associated partisanism as the elected officials begin by defining the real issues not supporting issues that have been put in place by their parties.
The last method of solving gridlocks entails changing the human mindset. The majority of the people fear change and can do anything to avoid it. There is a need to come up with changes that allow people to support ideas that promote the common good and safeguarding this new behavior that ensures a sense of security. Congress gridlocks do not have to be preordained. Examples of instances where a change in mindset has provided solutions to various pressing issues include the Israelis and Palestinians working together to create the necessary platforms that foster peace. Secondly, governors coming together to offer feasible solutions to different fiscal challenges. Also, school districts are collaborating with the businesses, the city governors, the local government, and the community to improve learning for kids. Lastly, many counties and cities are finding breakthroughs by working together with one another. However small or large these breakthroughs are, they are worth imitating in finding solutions to Congress gridlocks.
Gridlocks have prevented the passage of various pieces of legislation. An example of such an instance is the ongoing decade-long issue on gun-control. As of February 25, this year, Republican representatives from the Senate and the House chose to remain silent on the matter which is an indicator of significant obstacles to passing even the modest policies. The majority of the Democrats show no enthusiasm towards the legislation that they deem incremental while the Republicans fear critical problems from the midterm elections and do not want to be forced into making difficult decisions. The policy-makers from both sides are focusing more on their campaigns, therefore, want to wrap up their work early.
Some Republican senator would like to have the minimum age to purchase an assault weapon raised from 18 to 21 years (Stolberg et al., 2018). A poll conducted by CNN indicated that the people want stricter laws enacted in regards to the issue. Due to incidents such as the Newton massacre, Democrats push for better and stable restrictions while the Republicans oppose. The Democratic governors firmly maintain their stand; they insist that candidates against the new gun regulations will have to pay a political price. The Republican admitted that the interests of the citizens could no longer be ignored as people continue abandoning the party. However, despite the gridlock, the Congress is most likely to work hard to come with a solution especially after the February 2018 Parkland student massacre that resulted in seventeen deaths.
Another issue is the immigration gridlock. The Congress has been to a great extent paralyzed on the immigration policy for years; no solution has been found to help the undocumented people in the United States acquire citizenship (Kilgore, 2018). In 2013, the Senate passed a bill that incorporated aspects that were likely to earn the support of the Conservatives. It also received strong support from the public. However, it was met with stiff resistance after it was presented in the House.
The Senate and the House have been disagreeing; this has heavily contributed to the gridlock on immigration policy. The representatives from the Republican side have become less inclined than they used to be which makes it difficult for them to consider immigration compromises through depending on Democratic votes; they have shifted their focus and are working with the Conservatives who are considering coming up with a resistance action that could escalate into an anti-leadership coup. A deal developed by the Senate has a low chance of being accepted in the House even in if it receives the support of the president. Due to the uncertainties associated with the immigration issue, it is difficult to predict its outcome. If the government does not influence some positive changes over the immigration policy conflicts, it will become difficult to rely on short-term solutions, and the already bad situation might get worse.

References
Armajani, B. (2012). Three Keys to Breaking Government Gridlock. Governing.com. Retrieved 20 March 2018, from http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-three-keys-breaking-government-gridlock.htmlFrank, B. (2015). How Voters Cause Washington’s Gridlock. POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/barney-frank-voters-cause-washington-gridlock-213325Iniguez, B. (2013). What Causes Congressional Gridlock?. IVN.us. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://ivn.us/2013/08/08/what-causes-congressional-gridlock/Kilgore, E. (2018). 5 Reasons an Immigration Deal Will Be Crazy Hard to Achieve. Daily Intelligencer. Retrieved 20 March 2018, from http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/01/5-reasons-an-immigration-deal-will-be-crazy-hard-to-achieve.html
Stolberg, S., Martin, J., & Kaplan, T. (2018). Is This the Moment for Gun Control? A Gridlocked Congress Is Under Pressure. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 20 March 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/us/politics/gun-control-congress-governors.html