pictured above: the Secretary of State, Cyrus R. Vance.
Starving America
As America’s inflation and their resistance to communism rises, President Jimmy Carter’s cabinet fights hard to keep their prices low and their freedom high.
West Wing, Washington D.C. - All American eyes are on Jimmy Carter and his cabinet’s next move in reducing inflation. Gas prices continue to inflate, alongside eggs and milk. A speech given by Carter, and a subsequent Q&A, gave insight to what his cabinet plans to do in regards to the recent economic changes, as well as the looming threat of the USSR. “Through bringing our great nation back to the forefront of the global economy,” Carter stated, “We will begin to gain the advantage of the global economic front over our Soviet enemies.”
When asked about the integrity of the American people’s money, the U.S. secretary of health, education, and welfare, Joseph A. Califano Jr., responded by saying, “We’re working on welfare plans to help with food and other necessities.” By distributing food for those in need, the President and his cabinet hope to ensure food security and calm the growing concerns of an economic depression on the rise.
The cabinet further agreed upon that the future of America maintains prices that the American people can manage, saying, “America is committed to having prices that the people will be able to afford.” Carter’s cabinet also expanded on the developments outside of the States, as stated in an interview with the Secretary of State in the United States, Cyrus R. Vance.
Vance stated he wanted to specifically focus on external affairs, including the strengthening of relations with Afghanistan and Iran. “We have to show American exceptionalism across the world,” he voiced. “We have to show the Soviet Union we will not back down.” The rising fear of communism across the United States is continually spreading, invoking more and more tension between the two global powers. This red scare sweeping the nation along with the devastation of prices has raised questions of the wages given to American citizens.
In an interview with the Secretary of Treasury, Warner Michael Blumenthal, he advocated for the raising of the minimum wage. “...we are working on solutions to raise the minimum wage, which will allow more people to afford items.” His ideas to raise pay and lower prices has so far gone well with the rest of Carter’s cabinet, and Blumenthal hopes to introduce this policy soon.
The future of America’s prices, as well as its security in capitalism, appears hopeful with the ideas and answers given from President Jimmy Carter and his administration. With further ideas to come from the cabinet, Carter ensures he will pull America out of this crisis, promising his people that America owns the finish line.
Reported on by IPC Delegate Mollie Harlin
Jeremy Carter’s Cabinet
The Secretary of health, education, and wealthfare spoke to the International Press Corps about the current situation for July 24th, 1977. He said that the U. S. was currently dealing with a decrease in Jimmy Carter’s approval rating among the US citizens, a current potential threat of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR) invading Afghanistan, and a general upward price in things like gas and groceries, basic necessities. Their committee raised the minimum wage (with an undecided number. The Secretary of Health, education, and wealthfare states that the main problem he prioritized was “domestic economic indicators and particularly wealthfare programs”. He was working on one that would include things like food stamps and help affording things. He and the rest of his council were going to continue with economic solutions like the raising of taxes, which was being debated but not yet finalized. He said that “ the only way that we can reduce spending, or at least keep spending the same, is by raising taxes.” and others amongst the committee seemed to feel the same way as well.
Reported on by IPC delegate, Julianna Marie Hanna