By Mildred Robertson
If Americans re-elect Donald Trump in 2024, it will get what it deserves. The problem is that it is not just the Trump supporters who will suffer...we all will. It is a cliche, but when someone tells you who they are, believe them.
Donald Trump has made it crystal clear that he is a racist authoritarian who would trample on the U.S. Constitution, seek retribution upon his detractors, kill or incarcerate those who disagree with him; create internment camps for the homeless and immigrants, dismantle the seat of government and who would, once re-elected, never concede power again regardless of the outcome of a free and fair election to unseat him.
While we face this imminent threat to democracy, many voters don't understand or don't care about the perils that face us. The media seems complacent in keeping tabs on the political horse race (not very accurately, I might add as polls have been horribly unreliable). They appear to be either ill-equipped or disinclined to address the pressing social, political, and international issues that the next president must face. Instead, they focus on who stumbled ascending or descending Air Force One or Trump's private jet.
While the age and stamina of the President of the United States are of no little concern, it is absurd to question the age of one of the front runners without giving equal attention to the mental and physical stamina of a candidate only 3 years his minor. More important than the issue of age is whether we will shortly face World War III in the Middle East, whether the economy will stabilize, or whether women will be given autonomy over their own bodies. We need candidates to tell us how they will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, and how they will quell domestic terrorism and rampant gun violence in our streets. We need to know not just WHO will lead, but HOW they will lead.
While the Biden administration has struggled to get the message out, his administration has been busy addressing issues that affect our nation and its prosperity. Under his leadership, America regained its position as a respected world leader. In addition, he has made huge strides in addressing some of this nation's most pressing issues.
- He signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to repair our roads, waterways, bridges, and railroads, and bring high-speed internet to rural communities.
- He instituted an executive order raising standards for law enforcement agencies, with particular emphasis on use-of-force policies, availability of body cameras, and recruitment and retention of officers.
- During his tenure he brought the unemployment rate down to 3.5%, matching the lowest rate before the pandemic.
- Under his leadership 13.2 million jobs have been created, replacing all of the jobs that were lost due to the COVID pandemic. He can boast of leading an economy with the highest number of employed individuals in this country's history.
- President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) making health insurance plans more affordable. Under the IRA, Americans received lowered drug costs, millions were able to maintain their Affordable Care Act insurance and Medicare was required to negotiate the cost of 10 high-cost prescription drugs.
- He signed the CHIPS and Science Act which funded the U.S. production of semiconductor chips for automobiles, cellphones, laptops, gaming consoles, washing machines, etc., rather than continuing to rely on China.
- His administration also supported a $369 million investment to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% in the next seven years. That investment also promotes clean energy technologies, moving our country to greater self-sufficiency in energy production.
- He also signed the Postal Service Reform Act (PSRA) to modernize and stabilize the U.S. Post Office. The PRSA also will help the Postal Service continue to deliver mail six days every week, focusing on on-time delivery.
