Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1) Financial Markets control Oil, Gas, and Food Resources

• I found this on a website called The Balance. This lead me to an article about the 6 top economic trends in the U.S. 
• I believe this information suggests an opportunity because it could lead to true economic initiatives to help our financial market instead of dragging it down even more. 
• Government whether state, local, or federal should all be interested in this problem. Supply and demand have become less important with these resources and instead, commodities traders set all the prices. The speed of transactions also increase the economic volatility. 
• This would be relatively difficult to exploit because many people are greedy and want money. Big oil is an already corrupt institution and by implementing more strict regulations concerning these items, it could allow for supply and demand to become more important in our economy. 
• I was able to see this opportunity because I don't support companies such as Big Oil. Some of my beliefs and attitudes have to do with the steady decline in the environment around us, global warming, and overall the corruption of such a large institution. By having foreign exchange traders determine the value of what the US dollar costs for oil, we should use the supply and demand in the US for things such as oil consumption. 

2) American is Declining in Global Economic Power

• I found this on a website called The Balance. This lead me to an article about the 6 top economic trends in the U.S.
• Before the recession, the U.S was a superpower and powerhouse that blew every other country out of the water. In 2009, the recession hit and the U.S was no longer a powerhouse. China, Russia, India, and Brazil survived the recession better than the U.S and Europe because they regulated their banks to avoid derivatives. The strong economies in these countries also gave them leverage to demand more global economic power. The shift in global power has made attacks on free trade, job outsourcing, and currency manipulation. 
• The federal government would be interested in this problem. In order to fix this, the government needs to stop making unnecessary purchases like the wall Trump wants to build. That's also why are government in shut down right now, leaving thousands of people, including myself, out of a job. 
• This problem wouldn't be too difficult to exploit because I think Americans will do anything they have to, to get America back on top and have the same standard of living.  
• I was able to see this opportunity because it affects me directly. As someone working for the government, I want to be able to have a job and should've have to worry about job security. But due to unreasonable financial decisions by those in power, my job was no longer stable. 

3) EPA Creates Significant New Requirements for Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals

• I found this article based on the fact that healthcare has always been a problem in the country concerning insurance, medication, and laws. I found this article on Foley, a website by attorneys that have first-hand understanding of healthcare's business and legal challenges. 
• A new rule signed by the EPA requires that unused pharmaceuticals be disposed of properly. This is a significant change for the healthcare industry because it could create significant regulatory uncertainty and potential liability for entities in the pharmaceutical distribution chain for those evading the new compliances. 
• The EPA and healthcare industry should be interested in this problem. This is because unused pharmaceuticals are sometimes flushed down the drain which could affect the environment around us. Healthcare industries should also know where the unused pharmaceuticals are going because they could be going to cartels and addicts without the knowledge about it. 
• This problem would be difficult to exploit because the healthcare industry is so big and there's a lot of red tape to go through for certain problems. 
• I was able to see this opportunity because I used to work for the healthcare industry. Pharmaceuticals were always in excess and without proper disposal, there could be an even bigger opioid or drug crisis in America. 

3) Politics cloud felon voting rights restoration in Florida

• I found this while researching the new amendments Floridians voted for during the primaries in November. 
• With the elections just passing in November, one of the regulations that changed was allowing felons to vote. Although they were set to change this regulation at the end of 2018, partisan politics and logistical questions are clouding the judgement to implement a state constitutional amendment. This is a passage for civil rights and a chance to expand the electorate in democratic favor in Florida. 
• Registered voters and politicians should be interested in this problem. It can have a significant political impact on the major political party found in Florida. Democrats are hopping to get more voters favor their side during this time. 
• This problems wouldn't be too difficult to exploit because it has already become an amendment. There are only a few political hoops to jump through before felons are able to vote once again. 
• I was able to see this opportunity because I believe that everybody should have a chance to vote, even if they were or are incarcerated. Although they may have made a mistake, they should still be able to have a voice just as the first amendment states in the constitution.