With the 2024 presidential election approaching on Nov. 5, sophomore assistant news editor Arjun Mukherjee and junior assistant opinion editor and politics coordinator Mia Nicosia offer their opinions on both candidates’ policies.
Sophomore Arjun Mukherjee:
Through her defense of democracy and love for America, Kamala Harris is the best option for president.
The 2024 Presidential Election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in modern history with party candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offering sharply contrasting visions for America; in an era of ever-increasing division, polarity and political violence, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
One thing that everyone can agree upon, however, is just how close the election is. Both Harris and Trump are essentially tied in the main battleground states that will decide the election, but while it remains murky as to who will win the election, there is only one clear choice for president: Kamala Harris.
Harris offers a clear and measured approach when it comes to all of the most important issues on voters’ minds: the economy, protecting our democracy and safeguarding freedoms and American values. Over the past several years, inflation has crippled the purchasing power of millions of Americans, the housing crisis has left home and rent prices soaring and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has been economically devastating.
The Harris-Walz economic platform addresses all of these issues and more. To help increase the amount of available affordable housing, she has proposed building three million new units of housing, as well a grant of up to $25,000 to help first-time homebuyers purchase homes. In terms of inflation, she plans to crack down on high costs brought about by price gouging and anti-competitive practices fueled by monopolies. This could help bring the cost of food, groceries and other essential items in a quick and effective manner. Indeed, 23 Nobel Prize Winners in economics have endorsed Harris’ economic proposals, writing in a joint letter stating that “overall, Harris’ economic agenda will improve our nation’s health, investment, sustainability, resilience, employment opportunities and fairness,” according to CNN.
Trump’s proposed policies, on the other hand, are counterproductive and will only worsen America’s economic situation. He plans to lay a significant tariff on a vast variety of goods and services, which would cost the average American family about $3,900 a year. A study by Moody’s Analytics shows that a Donald Trump presidency would sharply increase inflation, lead to a recession by mid-2025 and could cost over one million jobs.
Another issue that is high on the minds of voters is freedom. Trump has an extreme agenda that will lead to greater federal oversight over many essential freedoms. He has said that he wants to retract federal funding from schools that recognize transgender students, and instruct the military and the Department of Justice to crack down on protests and go after his political opponents. Furthermore, he has called to end birthright citizenship, which is protected by the Constitution.
Still, Harris is by no means a perfect candidate. In her efforts to reach out to more fiscally conservative and Republican voters, she has alienated large swathes of progressive voters that any decisive Democratic victory depends upon.
She has highlighted her gun ownership (which, frankly speaking, won’t do much to sway any gun-owning Trump voters) far more than she has given any serious response on how, if elected, her administration will forcefully combat the catastrophic effects of the climate calamity crisis. She has also been incredibly vague on what her policies will be towards Palestinians in Gaza and wider relationships with Israel, disconcerting many Arab-American voters in states like Michigan.
Even in the face of all these drawbacks, Harris is a far better candidate than Trump will ever be. All progressive voters should vote for Kamala Harris because, under her administration, she would listen to them and consider their policies. And for Republicans, the answer is just as clear.
In their official endorsement of Harris, the editorial board of “The Atlantic” wrote that, “If you’re a conservative who can’t abide Harris’s tax and immigration policies, but who is also offended by the rottenness of the Republican Party, only Trump’s final defeat will allow your party to return to health—then you’ll be free to oppose President Harris wholeheartedly.” The most important issue in this election isn’t the border or abortion or even the economy: It’s our democracy that is on the line.
Donald Trump’s extremist policies, his hateful propagation of lies about immigrants and his criminal history are not what America needs right now. The choice is simple enough: A vote for Trump is a vote for disorder. A vote for Harris is a vote for our future.
Junior Mia Nicosia:
As America grapples with complex challenges, Donald Trump’s policies offer a grounded approach that contrasts with the more abstract promises of Kamala Harris’s agenda.
When choosing which candidate to vote for in a presidential election, we often look towards what type of person each candidate is, but also which policies they intend to install when president. Trump’s policies on the economy, border and healthcare support stability and growth in our country. On the other hand, Harris’s policies on gun violence and housing take a step in what I perceive as the wrong direction.
The first policy of Donald Trump’s that I support is his policy on the economy. This policy reduced taxes and regulations, which directly boosted wages and median income creating record-low unemployment across various demographic groups. His establishment of Opportunity Zones was a smart way to bring investment and jobs to underserved communities.
Secondly, I support Trump’s border policy because it prioritizes security and public safety by enforcing strict immigration measures, ending catch-and-release and building a substantial border wall. His approach helped curb illegal immigration, protect U.S. workers and reduce strain on resources like schools and hospitals.
The third policy of Trump’s that I support is his healthcare policy. This policy expanded patient choice, improved transparency and lowered costs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable. The removal of the Obamacare mandate and the introduction of the “Right to Try” Act provided patients with more freedom and life-saving options. Efforts to lower drug prices, enhance price transparency and protect Medicare, social security and coverage for pre-existing conditions demonstrate a commitment to a fairer healthcare system.
While I appreciate Trump’s focus on economic growth, border security and healthcare reforms, there are policies of Kamala Harris that I don’t support.
Kamala Harris’s proposal to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines directly opposes the Second Amendment and the fundamental right to bear arms. Her approach disregards constitutional protections and undermines the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. I believe that protecting these rights, something Trump supports even after getting shot, is essential to upholding American freedoms.
I also don’t support Harris’s housing policy because, while it aims to increase affordable housing and help first-time home buyers, it would likely lead to higher taxes to fund these large-scale initiatives. By penalizing companies and enforcing price controls, this policy could also discourage private investments, potentially reducing housing availability and driving up long-term costs.
Overall, I believe that policies focused on empowering individual choice, protecting constitutional rights and promoting economic growth without increasing government taxes is the best path forward for a stronger and prosperous America, something Donald Trump offers with his policies.
