Neil: If you could sum up the first Presidential debate in one word, it wouldn’t be a good one. September 30th’s encounter between republican incumbent Donald Trump and democratic challenger Joe Biden was defined not by groundbreaking ideas that it didn’t offer but instead (unfortunately) by the dictionary definition of dirty politics it did. If the Debate’s mayhem is any indication of the near future, come November 3rd’s election the contestant in last place will be the people of America. Below are 5 concrete, important take-aways picked from the debate for a better idea of what a choice for one or the other might mean.
Biden is the Democratic Party. At least on healthcare.
One of the most fundamental divides within the Democratic party today is healthcare. On one hand, progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez support a single-payer system which would effectively eliminate private insurance in favour of a government run program. On the other hand, moderates like Biden would rather see a combination of the two with private insurance available to those willing and able to continue their investment in it. When pressed by Trump during the debate whether his stance contradicts his party’s and wasn’t firm enough, Biden didn’t mince words. “I am the democratic party right now,” he insisted, suggesting a Biden presidency will not move to get rid of private insurance but will look to expand current government coverage.
Taxes and Trump means $750 (Allegedly) and breaks for big corporations.
Earlier in the week of the debate, the New York Times released a document that if authentic would support the longstanding idea that the President is not an upstanding taxpayer, at least in the years leading up to his election. The document suggests Trump paid a total of $750 in 2017 (his first year in office) as well as the year prior. This claim provides fuel to the ongoing effort of Democrats to highlight the president’s immorality and his being unfit to hold the office of president. Trump also went under fire during the debate for tax cuts for the top bracket of earners whose consequences would have been borne by those in the middle and lower brackets. The Biden policy on the issue is to repeal the 2017 Trump Tax revisions “in the first 100 days,” raise taxes on big corporations and high-income earners while protecting those who make $400,000 a year or less from any increase.
To Pack or not to Pack? A Biden presidency might change the Justice System forever, if only he’d answer that question.
The death of justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg shined a spotlight on the American justice system for an international audience, especially considering the questionable approach of Senate Republicans to appoint a Trump nominee after denying a similar effort by Barack Obama in an election year. The more progressive chunk of the democratic party would like to see a reform to the Supreme Court with more justices than the current 9 who hold shorter terms- justices currently serve for life or until retirement. The idea has been rejected firmly by the Republican party, but much to the frustration of both parties both Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have refused to respond to questions about their stance on the issue. This is thought to be a move to not divide the Democratic party so close to an election.
Both candidates have wildly different views on political unrest in America’s cities.
The late May killing of George Floyd was followed by a summer of political unrest across American cities unparalleled in recent years. With protests ranging from marching and sign-waving to protestors setting buildings aflame in anger, the general view on the issue is divided. Many claim the extent of racial prejudice in American infrastructure warrants serious demonstration further than non-violent marches. Trump does not leave his stance up for debate- he continually insists he is the “Law and Order” candidate and rejects the idea of police reform or systemic racism. Biden on the other hand claims Trump’s attitude towards the situation, which does not take into account the reasons behind the violence, simply “pours gasoline in the fire.” Neither candidate illustrated a plan to combat unrest of this nature under their administration.
Biden makes clean energy a priority, but Trump says not over the 'green' in American pockets.
On the far-left of the Democratic party, progressive lawmakers like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez have floated the point of an economic reformation comparable to Roosevelt’s 1933 New Deal following the Great Depression, except with the focus of moving the economy to a more environmentally friendly state. The plan is thought to also sideline key industries many in the Republican voting base remain attach to (such as fracking and coal-mining). Biden proposes his own Biden Plan- which proposes a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan looks to do this through a 1.7 trillion dollar investment in clean energy over 10 years and a slew of more specific policies such as a push for “rigorous new fuel economy standards.” Trump, while not completely denying the climate crisis (though notably discussing it with less ferocity than Biden), holds the opinion that the Biden plan hurts American jobs in the long run. During the debate the President cited the need for better “forest management” when referencing the California Wildfires of 2020, largely thought to be a sign of a declining climate situation.
The next and final Presidential debate is scheduled to take place on October 22nd at 8pm, Eastern Standard Time.
Photo: San Diego Union-Tribune
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