Like many people in my age bracket, I'm tired of hearing about this election. It's been a long, drawn out and, frankly crazy year that has just about had everyone at their wits end. In my opinion, I think there's an issue with this election and our country's newly minted registered voters. Some of the things that I'm tired of hearing are, "I'm voting for Hillary because she's going to be our first woman president!" or "Well, I don't like what I've heard about Hillary, so I'm voting for Trump." The best is, "He's a billionaire and has a lot of successful business so Trump will be perfect for our economy!" and "I was #FeelingtheBern, but now I'm on the #TrumpTrain." I feel these adults don't fully comprehend the policies and positions of Trump and Clinton. I feel that many people that repeat these phrases are not fully educated. As someone who has immersed themselves on the major issues facing this country, I am fairly certain who I'm voting for. Unless of course yet another scandal pops up before November 8th. Below I've explained some big issues in America and both Trump and Clinton's position on them.
So, for the people who are not sure, misinformed or need help deciding who to vote for, meet the candidates.
Donald Trump
Make America Great Again
Immigration
-Wants to build a wall between Mexico and the U.S. to stop the flow of illegal immigrants through the country over the border
-Illegal immigrants will be deported from the country
-Argues that we have a flawed immigration policy that does not allow us to know who is coming in our country
-Says that Syrian refugees will not only hurt the quality of life in America, but that it's a matter of terrorism
“They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists"- Trump while announcing his candidacy on undocumented immigrants.
Gun Reform
-Endorsement from the NRA (National Rifle Association)
-Opposes putting restrictions on sales of assault weapons
-Focuses more on the mental health aspect of shooters rather than restrictions on weapons
Tax Reform
-Cut business rate to 15 percent
-Trump said that he would “eliminate job-killing regulations” & “have massive tax reform and simplification.”
-Tax cuts for the wealthy
Abortion
-Pro-Life
-Wants to defund Planned Parenthood, although acknowledges that it has helped millions
-Ban late abortions, but exceptions for rape, incest or health
-Said that there should be punishments for women who have an abortion
Budget/Economy
-Jobs are going to Mexico and companies outsource to China
-In his personal finance, he said, "Not paying income taxes makes me smart."
-Paid income taxes for 3 out of 5 years in the 1970's
-Wants to bring back jobs to the U.S.
Civil Issues
-"Respectfully check mosques; we have to look at profiling"- Trump on profiling
-Said that stop-and-frisk worked well
-Same sex marriage should be decided by the states
-On police officers, he said that we "must maintain law and order at the highest level or we will cease to have a country."
-Wants to take care of U.S. Veterans
Drugs
-Cautious on the legalization of marijuana, but yes to medical marijuana
-Never touched drugs, alcohol, or smoked
-Wants to study legalization
Education
-Wants to get rid of common core
-Cuts on the Dept. of Education
Environment
-Said that global warming was a hoax
-In September of 2015, Trump told CNN, "I believe in clean air, immaculate air, but I don't believe in climate change.”
Foreign Policies
-Trump wants to destroy radical Islam, end the nuclear deal with Iran and payments to quote, "the number one state sponsor of terrorism."
-He does not want people coming in from "terror countries"
-Wants a more reliable relationship between the U.S. and Israel
-Would like improved relations with Russia, but from a position of strength only
-Will withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
-Mr. Trump wants troops on the ground in Syria but also fighting ISIS
Hillary Clinton
Stronger Together
Immigration
-In the last Presidential Debate, Hillary said, "We need comprehensive immigration reform with a path to full and equal citizenship."
-Rather than deport the immigrants, she wants to put them all on a path towards being a legal immigrant
-Argues that Trumps plan of putting all of the immigrants on buses out of the US will take 10+ years and is unorganized and irrational
-Said that we need to rely on our Muslim partners to combat terrorism and that a ban on immigrants from those countries would make combating it harder
Gun Reform
-For gun reform
-Said in Jan. 2016 to Pres. Obama that she will, "...take on the gun lobby and fight for commonsense reforms to keep guns away from terrorists, domestic abusers, and other violent criminals—including comprehensive background checks and closing loopholes that allow guns to fall into the wrong hands."
-Agrees that people on the no-fly list shouldn't be able to gain access to purchase a gun
Tax Reform
-Believes that the wealthy pay too little in taxes and the middle class need a relief in taxes
-Will give tax relief to families struggling with costs
-Wants to go after the wealthy who have not paid taxes
-easier access to credit
Abortion
-Pro-choice
-Will oppose the efforts to roll back funding to Planned Parenthood and reproductive healthcare
-For a safe, legal abortion
-Thinks that politicians have no right to interfere with a woman's body and choices with it
Budget/Economy
-Wants to raise pay, create good paying jobs
-Create a new economy that benefits everyone, not just the top tier
-Cut taxes, raise the minimum wage to $15
-She'll say "no" to new trade deals unless they create jobs for Americans
-Will bat for unions
-Give the younger generation better chances for a good future
Civil Issues
-Supports equal pay for women
-Says that, "Everyone in America should respect the law and be respected by the law."
-Agrees that we need to end mass incarceration and put body cameras on police to "improve accountability"
-Said on July 9th, 2016, "We cannot, we must not vilify police officers. Remember what those officers were doing when they died. They were protecting a peaceful march.”
-Follows more of a positive approach in making sure police do not brutalize the African-American community, but making sure that police are respected
-Argues that there is little trust in the black community within the police
Drugs
-Increase substance abuse treatment
-Cautious approach on legalization of marijuana
-Wants to cut the time in imprisoning marijuana users
-Agrees with medical marijuana currently
-$1 Billion per year to help states with opioid epidemic
Education
-“We have to make sure education is available and affordable to everyone. We need to make college affordable so that you don't have to borrow ... and pay off your [student] debt,” said Clinton.
-Wants to make sure every child has access to a "world class education" and a "high-quality" pre-school.
-On testing: “Tests should go back to their original purpose: giving useful information to teachers so that you know and parents know how our kids and our schools are doing, and then we can come together to help them improve."
-Disagree with free college for everyone, but only those who truly need it
Environment
-Believes in climate change
-She will stop the tax giveaways to big oil companies
-Will make significant investments in clean energy
-Stop oil drilling in the Arctic
-End fracking in America
Foreign Policies
-Will strive to keep America safe and defend values
-Maintaining a "cutting-edge military"
-Strengthen alliances
-Says she will defeat ISIS
-Enforce Iran nuclear deal
-On Israel, "Israel's security must remain non-negotiable."
-Declared that, "NATO has been the most successful military alliance in probably human history."
So, I know that was a mouth-full, but it's important to voice your opinion and get out to vote. Whether you identify as a Republican, Democrat or anything in-between, the next 4 years will depend on either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Like it or not, one of them will become President of the United States. Regardless of the promises any candidate makes, they're hampered by the amount of control that candidate has in the legislative branch of our government. Promises are not a guideline and are not in any way, shape or form, written in stone.
Now that I've introduced the candidates and some of their policies, do some research on your own and educate yourself on their past. Don't forget to vote on November 8th!
