Kim Woods only

Political Labyrinths

Student’s Name

University Affiliation

Author’s Note

First, describe your organization.

Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. is the organization that will be used. The organization is from Tallahassee, Florida and its main aim is to eradicate poverty in the area. The organization drives the mission by working closely with low-income earners and the poor in the community. The organization empowers the poor through education, programs, and direct support.

Identify the two political issues and how they affect the organization.

The two political issues that have affected the organization are the minimum wage and medicinal marijuana approval. Florida's minimum wage is 8.46 USD per hour, while the minimum wage of the United States is 7.25 USD per hour. Comparing the two minimum wages, it is apparent that there is a gap between the minimum wage of the United States and Florida. Florida tends to have a minimum wage that is higher than the Federal Minimum wage. This is a political issue because legislators are responsible for constituting and approving labor laws.

The reason why the issue is likely to affect the organization is that it frustrates investors. From an investor's perspective, when the minimum wage is high, the investor retains minimal profits. However, when the minimum wage is low, the investor retains a higher profit. Most of the investors tend to choose states and areas that favor them (McKnight & McKnight, 2015). Therefore, instead of investors investing in Tallahassee, Florida, they look for other states that favor their businesses. As a result, the rate of unemployment remains high. When the rate of unemployment remains high, poverty increases, disrupting the success made by the organization.

Tallahassee is within Florida, and that means that Florida laws affect the area. In Florida, marijuana has been permitted but for medicinal use. Even though marijuana has been allowed for medicinal purposes only, it has been finding its way to residents (McKnight & McKnight, 2015). When a substance is partially permitted, it becomes easier to penetrate the market. The same case has been witnessed in the case of marijuana and Florida. This is a political issue because legislators are responsible for the passing of laws that allow the partial or full use of controlled substances (Chalmers, 2013).

The issue will impact the organization's initiatives because of the connection between poverty and the use of illicit drugs. The use of illicit drugs affects the body and the mind. A person cannot think straight or engage in constructive activities. An addict becomes dependent, which affects the rate of poverty (McKnight & McKnight, 2015). When the number of people who cannot engage in reproductive activities increases, it is likely that poverty will increase.

Recommendations

Even though the political issues are a threat to the organization's success, the organization has to overcome the issues. The first recommendation is to increase awareness. Awareness will be focusing on people who are potential users of marijuana. When marijuana is allowed to be used for medical purposes, people get the notion that they can use it and maintain their sobriety and commitment (Chalmers, 2013). The truth is that regular use leads to addiction. It would be important to educate people and let them know that they do not have to assume that all will be well after abusing marijuana.

The second recommendation will be a consultation with the congressperson of the district. The reason for the meeting is to have a dialogue on the best ways to attract investors in Tallahassee. The amendment of some of Florida laws will help attract investors (Mauldin, 2013). The attraction of investors in the state will increase the opportunities for employment. As a result, most of the residents will have a finance source, thus living lives that are free from poverty.

The third recommendation is to partner with the government. Organizations that work hand in hand with the government tend to benefit in many ways. First, it becomes easier for them to share ideas with the government. In most cases, when the government is drafting laws, it brings in the interested parties and stakeholders (Mauldin, 2013). Organizations that work with the government benefit because they are part and parcel of the whole process. Therefore, they will never be left behind when it comes to enacting laws that affect the residents.

References

McKnight, J. & McKnight Plummer, J. (2015). Community organizing: Theory and practice. Retrieved from https://redshelf.com

Mauldin, M. D. (2013). State use of community-based organizations to advance urban revitalization policy: The case of the front porch Florida initiative. Journal of Public Management & Social Policy, 19(2), 180-188.

Chalmers, D. (2013). Social innovation: An exploration of the barriers faced by innovating organizations in the social economy. Local Economy, 28(1), 17-34.