News Breakdown: America, Where Do We Stand?
- alexisgtrifon
- Jul 1, 2024
- 3 min read
By Alexis Trifon
After Thursday's (June 27th) debate, a few things have become evident. First, it heightened concerns among millions of Americans that Joe Biden is too old for the job. Throughout the debate, Biden spoke softly, often mumbling his words and conflating ideas. Trump, on the other hand, was his predictable self, glamorizing the four years spent under a Trump administration and criticizing Biden’s policies.
A good debate usually comes to some sort of consensus, where speakers confidently exchange ideas and explain their points of view and plans for the future. The problem with a Biden-Trump debate, though, is that it’s counterproductive, quickly becoming a competition between two people who fundamentally dislike each other. At the end of the debate, an argument about the better golf player even arose.
Ultimately, these debates have left voters and the country in a worse position—disengaged and dissatisfied—reflecting another fear of many Americans: uncertainty about whom to vote for in November.
There have also been calls for President Biden to step down following the debate. At this point in the election, since Biden has already won the Democratic primaries, he would have to make the resignation decision on his own. Biden could then endorse another candidate, but delegates could vote for any nominee at the August Democratic National Convention. The problem with Biden resigning is that he is the only candidate who has beaten Trump, and there remains no other clear choice for the job. Even Vice President Kamala Harris would be a risky choice as she has polled worse than Biden. If Biden were to resign after the convention, then the DNC would select their new Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
At a Raleigh, North Carolina rally, Biden said: “I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious… I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong.”
The way I see it, speculating about Joe Biden stepping down seems unrealistic. What matters most, at this moment, is the fight to protect democracy. While Biden struggles in public speaking and his administration has made its mistakes, most notably with immigration, the pandemic was effectively ended, access to affordable health care has expanded, the stock market and dollar have strengthened...
As for Trump's plans, his proposed tax cuts would hurt the economy in the long run by adding trillions of dollars to the debt. The consolidation of the Republican Party under Trump and his Project 2025 would change the federal government and its agencies as we know them. Trump would have expanded executive power, allowing him to replace federal officials with his appointees. The proposal also includes defunding and dismantling the Department of Education, the Affordable Care Act, and limits environmental reform.
Extremism is already on the rise, and Trump saying he will not accept the election results or that he will act as a dictator on “day one” is not the answer for a world with two major, ongoing wars. Our country needs stability. Using fear and sowing distrust in the very American political system you want to lead is reckless and irresponsible. When the U.S. is divided, the world is divided—our allies and enemies know this—they feel its effects, and it will be weaponized.
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