Conclusion

Not only have you learned about the Office of Homeland Security by researching a directorate and listening to the concerns of other directorates, but you have also learned how to follow the principles of reaching a consensus so that a finite amount of resources can be applied to a broad and political concern. Finally, you were given the opportunity to express your final concerns to the Secretary so that additional suggestions are recorded. Who knows maybe the Secretary will take your suggestions over the committee's suggestions as long as it is fair, clear, intelligent, and just. Bravo and good work.

Obviously this process can be applied to many other branches of the government too, and I am sure that you can think of some current issues that might need this type of analysis in the future. Check out the federal government's web site at www.firstgov.gov, and see if you can find some other department that might have budgetary issues. What are their political and current issues? Are the current presidential candidates addressing these issues? Do they have a sound plan for the finite resources? If you desire to make another analysis let me know so that we can discuss the extra credit potential.