Know Your Candidates The 2016 Presidential Election

Know Your Candidates The 2016 Presidential Election Photo Via: http://i2.cdn.turner.com Election coverage has been everywhere for months now you can’t turn on the TV, check your email or log into Facebook without Trump and Hillary supporters and haters flooding it with news of the election. But the percentage of those supporters that are actually well-versed on the issues is miniscule. In fact, so very few know what the candidates stances are on the big picture issues, though they may be very knowledgeable about the rumors and cons of each candidate. While you’re going to like who you like, and dislike who you dislike, it’s important that you at least make these decisions as an informed, U.S. citizen. So before we begin hitting the polls for the presidential election, here are the candidates stances on the big ticket issues so you can make informed arguments in the future. You’re welcome! 1.  Economy: The Issue: Back in 2009, the U.S. economy was in one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression. Since Obama took office, this hasn’t changed much, though he has passed a stimulus package meant to change it. Everyone has a different stance on whether or not this bill helped the economy. Either way, if there is change, it’s happening so slowly it almost doesn’t matter. Donald Trump: His economic plan has to do with some trade deals that he believes will “level” the playing field. Perhaps the one issue Trump is most qualified on, he vows to cut taxes without changing the major programs from which they come (Medicare and Social Security). He also plans to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and away from China. With these policies, he believes he can get rid of the U.S. debt in two terms. Yes, he is already considering a second term. Hillary Clinton: Clinton’s plan also involves some tax cuts, though she plans to specifically slash the taxes of the middle class. She also hopes to create more U.S. jobs by spending some more on clean energy and infrastructure. She also wants to make it far more difficult for corporations to skip out on their taxes. So her plan in a nutshell: spend more to save more. 2.  Education: The Issue: The problem is twofold: one, early education isn’t where it should be and two, college graduates continually owe way more money than they are taking in. In terms of early education, high school graduation rates are very low in minority and low-income areas, which is a major problem. And in the meantime, those that are able to continue on through college walk out with thousands in debt due to student loans. Donald Trump: Basically says that the current early education policies in effect, including Common Core and No Child Left Behind, just aren’t cutting it. He thinks that education reform should be completed at the local level, rather than allowing schools to teach to test. He also believes that the U.S. shouldn’t be making money off of student loans. Hillary Clinton:  She doesn’t have an issue with the plans currently in place regarding early education. Sure, it’s not working at the moment, but this is a step in the right direction and we should continue through this course of action. She also takes on Bernie Sanders’ stance in regards to loans, as her stance is that college should be made more affordable to help slash these debt rates for college students. 3.  Abortion: The Issue: The issue is very simple, though very, very controversial. On one side, you have pro-life supporters that believe abortion in any and all capacities should be illegal, and on the other side, you have pro-choice supporters that believe abortion is a case by case issue and the decision should be left up to the woman in question. Donald Trump: He claims to be a pro-life advocate, but caveats this with some exceptions. So essentially, females shouldn’t have the right to make their own decision unless there are underlying circumstances that he deems “alright.” Hillary Clinton: She claims to be a pro-choice advocate in that women considering abortion have the right to do so. She leaves the decision up to the female in question and her doctor. The diplomatic approach. 4.  Gun Control: The Issue: Another very heated debate in the U.S. right now, the gun control issue is also very binary. You’re either for guns, or against them. The problem is they are extremely easy to get, for everyone, and that to deny citizens guns is infringing upon their rights defined by the Declaration of Independence. But with the recent mass shootings etc., calls for change have been deafening. Donald Trump: Guns are not the problem people are. The issue at hand is the mental instability of the culprits behind such attacks, not the fact that guns are available. Guns are a right. Hillary Clinton: We need regulations. It’s far too easy for people that shouldn’t have guns to get them. We need to get rid of these loopholes and make sure that universal background checks are involved. Guns are a privilege, not a right. So if you’re a domestic abuser or a criminal, sorry, you lost that privilege. 5.  Foreign Policy: The Issue: Essentially, foreign policy at the moment entails the takedown of ISIS, a brutal terror group that’s behind numerous terror attacks in the past few months. And the problem is only getting worse. While Obama has been attempting to make some changes in terms of our involvement in the Middle East and these giant threats, no one is pleased with where we’ve ended up. Donald Trump: Shut-down: it’s time to close off the borders to all countries that impose a terror threat of any kind to the U.S. Lock ‘em out! No refugees and cut down the group at its source by blocking their internet access to halt their recruitment efforts. He also wants to pressure other countries into joining the fight by supplying air support against the terror group. Hillary Clinton: Obama has the right idea basically, continue doing what he’s been doing. Also, let refugees in that need it. This is America, and we are supportive of everyone when they need it. 6.  Climate Change: The Issue: Essentially, this is a global warming problem. There’s extreme weather everywhere (including the recent droughts in Syria) and it’s only going to get worse from here, according to scientists. Obama’s platform included change, though this wasn’t implemented until last year with a new deal that’s going to give monetary rewards to developing countries for decreasing their emissions. It’s a start. Donald Trump: This isn’t actually a problem. Sure, it might exist, but it’s not making a difference. Of course, he’s open to being proven wrong. Hillary Clinton: Yes, it is a problem, and we’re going to be the solution. She wants the U.S. to become the example for everyone else. Time to be a role model, people. 7.  Immigration: The Issue: It’s pretty self-explanatory, but basically, we have a huge problem with immigrants entering (illegally) and staying (illegally) in the country with little to no repercussions. So it’s a problem, and needs to be stopped, but that’s also easier said than done. Donald Trump: If you don’t know his stance by now, you live under a rock. Does the word, “wall,” ring any bells? No more immigrants from Mexico, no more immigrants from terrorists, more jobs for American people. In an ideal world. Hillary Clinton: We’re not banning people we’re just asking them to immigrate legally. She wants to change the path to citizenship, something that’s perhaps been a long time coming. It’s without a doubt the less drastic of the plans, but will it make any difference? That’s the question. 8.  Civil Rights: The Issue: Right now, police and black citizens are in the midst of a violent duel in which no one can win. Racism still exists in the U.S., and the time for change was yesterday. Sure, we just had a black president for the first time in American history, but the race card is still being played left and right, and it’s about time we take it out of the deck before anyone else gets hurt. Donald Trump: He’s going to make America safe again. We need to stand behind police that protect this country while also acknowledging that citizens have to feel safe, regardless of their race. #AllLivesMatter Hillary Clinton: Racism is real and alive and something needs to be done, now. Time to change laws and systems that are taking opportunities away from minorities and put everyone on a level playing field. The past is in the past, time to move forward. So now that you know the main issues and Trump and Clinton’s stances on said issues, go out there and argue to your heart’s content. And don’t forget to vote during this election! Every vote counts!