The presidential candidates this year are Democrat Kamala Harris with running mate Tim Walz and Republican Donald Trump with running mate JD Vance.
Typically, Democrats are known to oppose high tariffs and advocate for government-subsidized programs such as free healthcare and food stamps. In addition, the Democratic administration historically increased corporate taxes to compensate for prices.
Republicans advocate for lowering tax policies and increasing state rights, abortion being a prevalent example. Republicans are known for protecting Second Amendment rights and privatization, opposing recreational drug use, and loose immigration laws.
Candidates Harris and Trump’s policies might differ based on priorities and agenda. There are eight topics discussed when talking about policies such as abortion, climate, economy, foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, taxes, trade, and some secondary policies.
It’s hard to fully agree with one candidate, so it’s important to continue researching and decide what issues are important for you.
Below you will find a brief description of both candidates’ policy views and administration plans.
Democrat: Vice President Kamala Harris
If elected, the Harris-Walz campaign claims they would attempt to reinstate Roe V Wade with a national abortion protection law, meaning abortion rights would not be determined by the states, and instead protected all across the country. On the issue of climate change, her administration intends to fund different types of energy to reduce the use of foreign oil, and decrease overall oil use as well.
A major feature of her campaign is directing more government-funded assistance programs and tax breaks toward new families, small businesses, new homeowners, and more. On that note, Harris intends to not raise taxes for anyone whose annual income is less than $400,000, or a “middle-class tax cut” in other words. While the rest of her views are not explicitly stated, like other Democrats she has supported a higher corporate tax rate throughout her career.
The Harris-Walz campaign has stated support for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, but not for the terrorist groups within Palestine. Likewise, she supports a two-state solution. The Harris-Walz campaign promises support for Ukraine and NATO and a moderate view on immigration over the border.
Republican: Former President Donald Trump
If elected, the Trump-Vance campaign aims to “make America Affordable again.” The campaign prioritizes making housing affordable and has the hope of lowering inflation once again. He presents this by “preventing some undocumented immigrants from getting mortgages and deporting others, and by launching a home building programme on federal land.” This crosses over into his immigration policies of more border control.
To continue, he aims to cut corporate tax to 15%, a notable difference from the Biden administration’s increases in corporate taxes. Finally, he calls for abolishing taxes on social security, and other miscellaneous things.
The Republican party suggests removing the country from wars and conflicts, taking an isolationist view on foreign policy. In terms of Ukraine, he proposes to decrease aid sent to Ukraine. While his views on Israel-Gaza are quite vague, he generally supports Israel. At the presidential debate held at the National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024, Trump claimed that if he had been president, the Israel-Gaza war would have never started and that he could end the Ukrainian war in “24 hours.”
He does not intend to make any changes to the current abortion policies and his climate policies are not fully developed. In his previous term, he rolled back some environmental protections, so that trend could continue in a second term.
Time to Vote
There is no right or wrong answer to which candidate is “better” or will make a better president. Politics are based on opinions, and it depends on what policies are important to you, and what you think the country needs.
Civics teacher Mrs. Alyssa Harvey, who is currently on special assignment in the main office, is running a voter drive this year along with several seniors.
“Everyone should vote if they can,” Harvey said. “But step one is to get them involved and to emphasize that their votes matter.”
“I wish we had more candidates that represented us, and our generation,” senior Katie Sheff said. “Times are changing and old candidates with outdated ideas aren’t what we need anymore. I’m drawn to either one, but if it came down to it I’d still vote.”
Even if neither of these candidates represents you, please still vote. Your vote makes a difference, your vote matters, and your voice matters.
