ESSAY : What are two common arguments that opponents raise about the law?

Question 1:

The Pendleton Act of 1883 and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1976 represent two major civil service reforms. Briefly describe each law, including three significant civil service components in each Act. Then, discuss any social, economic, political or other environmental factors that help to explain each discussed reform in each law. The reform and explanatory factors should match each other.

Question 2:

The Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1990. Since that time, debate about the law’s effectiveness has been called into question. What are two common arguments that opponents raise about the law?

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Legislation and Reforms

Question 1

Pendleton Act (1883) is a U.S federal legislation which established that federal government jobs should be awarded based on merit rather than political connections. The Act is characterized by three significant civil service components. First, it made it unlawful to fire government personnel for political reasons. Second, it banned soliciting campaign funds/donations on government assets. In addition, the legislation created the Civil Service Commission.

The assassination of President James Garfield by Charles Guiteau in 1881 formed the basis of Pendleton Act. The assassin believed Garfield owed him a patronage position in government for his “critical contribution” in securing his win in the 1880 presidential race (Lily & David, 2016).

On the other hand, the Civil Service Reform Act sought to reform the civil service of the U.S federal government by abolishing the civil service commission (CSC). In its (CSC) place, the act created three new organs: office of personnel management, merit system protection board and federal labor relations authority. Watergate scandal is the main political factors that informed the enactment of the Civil Service Reform Act. The Congress tried to investigate the scandal but President Nixon’s administration was opposed to its probes, leading to a constitutional…