Bell work
Research to answer the following questions on your own paper and be prepared to share with the class.*What are the three branches of the United States government?
Which branch enacts federal laws and regulations?
What branch do you think has the most impact on businesses?
Student Intro Activity
Select one of the laws mentioned in the standard at the top of the blog. Prepare a presentation to inform the class, A. what the law requires, B. when it was enacted, C. who it protects, D. how it affects businesses.Class Intro
In this chapter we will be discussing legal and ethical issues. Initially we will be looking at the government's roles as it relates to businesses.Objectives
- Explain the role of government in the private enterprise system.
- Identify federal regulatory agencies and laws that protect consumers, workers, investors and the environment.
- Provide examples of the impact of government on business.
What is the purpose of the United States Government?
Can you quote the preamble of the constitution?
Close to Home
What effect does the government have on your life?Give examples of laws created by local, state, and federal governments.
Structure of the United States Government
*Let's share answers from your bell work research.Why do we have 3 branches of government instead of just one, or two?
Use the graphic organizer to list primary duties of the three branches of government.
Executive Branch
- Office of the President
- Executive Departments (Interior, Commerce, and Defence)
- Independent agencies and corporations
- Boards, commissions, committees and quasi-official agencies
- Enforces laws and regulations: President can veto laws passed by Congress
Each President's administration has different programs that impact business
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides inspection, grading and certification of meats and dairy.
Legislative Branch
- U.S. Congress -Senate (2) and House of Representatives (# based on size of state)
- Members of Congress debate and vote on laws and regulations to send to President for approval.
- Lobbyists try to influence the votes on bills that affect their interests.
- Example: Mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) became effective in 2009 due to some politicians, farm groups and the Consumer Federation of America lobbying to pass legislation. Now all types of meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, some nuts and ginseng must be labeled with their country of origin for the customer's sake.
- Why do you think farm groups want mandatory country-of-origin labeling on meat and fresh fruits and vegetables?
- What do you think USDA inspectors look for when inspecting food?
- Imagine that you are a member of Congress. What kinds of lobbyists do you think would try to influence your voting?
Judicial Branch
- Interprets, applies, and administers the laws of the United States (court system)
Roles of U.S. Government in the Private Enterprise System
Role #1-Service provider and customer - government spends a lot of money to ensure the safety and general welfare of U.S. citizens.
- Homeland security - border protection, disaster recovery, airport security
- Infrastructure - federal, state, and local governments fund construction of roads and bridges
- Must adhere to strict guidelines because it's taxpayer's money the government is spending
Role #2 - Regulator - of laws designed to protect the safety, health, and welfare of individuals.
- Protecting Consumers-
- hairstylists, manicurists, and electricians must be licensed
- health departments inspect restaurants and other food-handling businesses
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the labeling and safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics sold throughout the U.S., including Nutrition Facts labels (accuracy)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees the safety of products such as toys, electronics, and household furniture, sets standards of safety, power to recall dangerous products
- Protecting Workers -
- minimum wage, medical leave, protection of whistle-blowers of illegal practices of employers
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) responsible for fair treatment of employees with regard to hiring, firing, and promotions, discrimination (age, race, gender, etc.)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- workplace safety
- Construction workers and engineers visiting construction sites must wear hard hats for protection. Why is worker safety important?
- Protecting Investors
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates the sale of securities (stocks and bonds), licensing brokerage firms and financial advisers, investigates mergers, company's annual reports and prospectus
- Protecting the Environment
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protects human health and the environment
- monitoring air and water pollution, recycling and hazardous waste disposal
- environmental laws cover problems such as acid rain, asbestos, lead poisoning, mercury, mold, ozone depletion, pesticides, radon, and littering
- The Federal Trade Commission enforces the principles of private enterprise system and protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices
- Bureau of Consumer Protection -protects consumers from businesses that violate laws and regulations (advertising, enforcement, financial, marketing, international, and planning and information
- Bureau of Competition - prevention of anti-competitive mergers and business practices
- Bureau of Economics - studies the impact of FTC actions on consumers (antitrust, consumer protection, and regulation)
- Monitors the economy and controls our monetary supply through the Federal Reserve System (run by the Fed Board of Governors)
- Small Business Association - provides counseling and educational materials to prospective business owners, loans and guarantees to business owners who cannot get conventional loans
Read and Discuss
Read the following articles and discuss the impact of government as "regulator" or "protector" of workers in today's society.Wrapping Up
Earlier we talked about the U.S. being a mixed economy that leans toward a market economy due the to the fact that the government does step in to protect it's citizens in different roles.After looking at the ways that our government helps protect you, how does that make you feel about the balance of the government's involvement in business?
Student Assignment
On your own paper (bell work sheet), complete Review Key Concepts #1-5 on page 145.How Can the Government Afford all these agencies?
Who pays more taxes anyway? The Balance
Tax the rich 90%??? Yahoo News
Did you know government spent your tax dollars on this? Readers Digest
More wastefulness!!! U.S. News & World Report
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