So, What Do You Propose?

     The proposal argument may be one of the last arguments that we examine in our reading, but I believe that it is one of the most important. Reading or listening to someone’s proposal to address a specific issue or problem, can give you great insight into the thinking process of the author. Often, one will demonstrate their ability (or their in-ability), to problem solve by the approach they take at an issue.

     I agree completely with the conclusion that is drawn in our text “the difficulty of proving that something needs fixing is compounded by the fact that frequently the status quo appears to be working” (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 312). We are all familiar with the term “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 312). This is a major obstacle for fiscal conservatives, and financial reformers in the federal government today, as well as in the past. There are a number of programs that need to be reformed, as to be viable in the future, but there is a lack of proposals to address the issues due to the in-ability to educate the general public (i.e. potential voters), on the foreseeable problems. For instance, take the monetizing of our National debt. There are no viable proposals in place to address this issue because the average citizen has not been made aware of the consequences of this process. The author of a proposal must first call the reader’s attention to the problem (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 314) and persuade their audience that there is reason for concern, before they can successfully address the issue with a proposal.

     I am personally surprised at the lack of specifics that are found in most proposals (speaking in terms of National policy). The actual step-by-step methods of implementing a proposal are instrumental in winning the support of your audience (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 315). A policy proposal without the specifics is merely political gesture to potential voters. For example, on April 13, 2011 at George Washington University, President Barrack Obama gave a big speech on reducing the federal budget deficit. He attacked Senator Paul Ryan’s proposal (which is in large part overly aggressive, and appears to have a partisan foundation), to reduce the deficit. But, the President did not give any specifics in how his proposal would go about dealing with our Nation’s mounting debt. Why not? It is not like we do not have the time for the details. In fact, roughly 10% of us have all the time in the world, because we do not have a job.

     It is clear to me after covering the material on proposal arguments, that all facets of your argument have equal and significant importance.  

Works Cited

Ramage, John, John Bean and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric With Reading. New York: Longman, 2010.