The 2020 election is perhaps the most divisive election cycle in American history. Whether President Donald Trump P’00 or former Vice President Joe Biden is elected, a huge portion of Americans will be distraught, threatening a peaceful transfer of power and democracy itself.
Ultimately, this election is not about being pro-Biden; it’s about being anti-Trump. Trump’s four-year reign has been devastating for the country, and, in determining the course of the next four years, Biden is the better option.
The U.S. has become increasingly polarized this election cycle. Even though Trump and Biden have distinct approaches to domestic policy, both candidates have faced increased criticism.
Now, Americans are tasked with choosing a candidate — a decision that will influence global dynamics for decades to come.
In this age of misinformation and disunity, it is of the utmost importance that we endorse the candidate that will prioritize individual wellbeing over the economy, unity over fear and unrest, science over politics, and equality over prejudice.
So, when considering the candidates, it’s important to ask: what exactly is at stake?
There is no doubt that Trump’s leadership, or lack thereof, allowed the rampage of a pandemic that has gone on to take over 200,000 American lives. Trump’s initial failure to acknowledge the severity of the virus, followed by his mishandling of the government’s pandemic response and withdrawal from the World Health Organization, has placed the U.S. in a precarious position.
Trump peddles fear and sows chaos to further his own agenda. The economic recession and incredible loss of life seen over the course of the past six months could take decades to bounce back from. To initiate that recovery, Biden must be elected this November.
Biden has emphasized the importance of an aggressive pandemic response that will “stop the political theater and willful misinformation that has heightened confusion and discrimination” and “put scientists and public health leaders front and center,” as outlined in the coronavirus plan on his campaign website. In contrast to Trump’s blatant ignorance of the coronavirus, Biden’s plan will tackle the pandemic head on by relying on science and medical professionals to save lives.
Many Trump supporters argue that Trump represents the interests of the average American through his economic policies. This perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
Trump has exploited his voter population, mainly consisting of uneducated white Americans, by claiming his trade policies have prevented the offshoring of American jobs. His crackdown on China has bolstered domestic support, but in reality, the trade war has damaged the U.S. economy.
Yes, Trump’s tax cuts did stimulate the economy, and, in 2018, the economy grew by 2.9 percent. But Trump’s tariffs and the trade war with China have hurt the economy and discouraged companies from relocating to the U.S.
The Federal Reserve reports that manufacturers have had to deal with employment losses as a result of the higher import costs. Overall, higher prices on $360 billion of Chinese goods and $100 billion of U.S. exports are still in effect — a huge disadvantage for American consumers.
In short, Trump’s economic policies have not brought out the benefits he claims they have. This holds true for much of what he claims to have done for the country.
Yet, by far the most concerning aspect of Trump’s presidency is his blatant disregard of human rights, especially when it comes to religion and race. Trump has praised numerous world leaders that have condoned the persecution of religious minorities in their respective countries.
What’s more, Trump has consistently expressed racist views and implemented racist policies, refusing to condemn white supremacists, targeting Muslims domestically and abroad, and modifying existing policies regarding drone attacks to limit transparency.
Over the course of the last four years, the U.S. has gone from an admired global superpower to a divided nation derided by many.
Considering his character, leadership, and experience, Biden is the only way to recover from the damage that the Trump administration has inflicted upon America.
