Regarding foreign policy, a Biden administration would look dramatically different than our current one. Using human rights as his cornerstone, Biden would challenge China on multiple fronts: trade, industrial policies, and technology. The U.S. would rejoin the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, working with our allies on the most comprehensive climate change mitigation plan to date. President Biden would mend relations with our traditional allies, most notably Europe, and would re-engage our ties with the World Trade Organization, as well as the World Health Organization. In concert with other nations, the U.S. would aim for a multilateral approach to ending the coronavirus pandemic. —Mealy Cronin ’23
As a woman from Mexico, migration policies are one of my top priorities going into the election. Trump does not understand the value of migrants in the United States. He has separated more than 500 kids from their parents, claiming to keep them in “clean facilities.” As if being violently separated from their families weren’t enough, the children are living in overcrowded cages without access to toothbrushes or soap. This is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of morals. No candidate is perfect, but in this case, Biden is the only choice. —Ximena Castillo-Nunez ’24
As someone who wants Trump to win the election, I will admit that his response to Covid-19 has been less than ideal. In terms of policy and action, he did alright: provided a substantial number of ventilators, barred travel from China, then Europe, and pushed for a stimulus package. However, one of the most important jobs of a president is to serve as a calming voice in a time of chaos; in this respect, Trump has failed. His constant contradiction of his own health officials, unnecessary blabbering about “cures,” and overall rhetoric on the pandemic will not serve in his favor going into the election. —Michael Korvyakov ’23
I think that the heavy emphasis we’ve placed on the presidential election overshadows the local elections that will play an equally decisive role in the lives of Americans. This is a census year, and, if pollsters are correct, one that is likely to deal Republicans major losses. All of this could culminate in aggressive gerrymandering in Republican-controlled states. The other important consideration is the role this year’s senatorial races will play on the future of American politics. 2020 is shaping up to be the most important election of our lifetimes. —Campbell Pflaum ’23
One of the main reasons that I support Joe Biden in this election is how poorly President Trump has handled the Covid-19 pandemic. President Trump has continuously refused to listen to scientists, referring to highly respected doctors as “idiots” — he even called Dr. Anthony Fauci “a disaster.” The president has mocked people for wearing masks, even though he has known teh danger of this virus is since January. Joe Biden will handle the coronavirus much better because he understands that we need to listen to scientists. He knows the importance of wearing a mask and enforcing the necessary guidelines that will keep Americans safe. —Tav Assaf ’24
I think the world is going to burn for another four years if Trump is reelected. Everything he has done in the past four years will happen again. Currently, some people think that they have the right to do terrible, racist things to people because there is an advocate for those actions in the Oval Office. If reelected, Trump will take rights away from many more people because he will have been confirmed in his delusions. —Mila Hill ’21
This election is not about policy; it is about leadership. Trump’s pre-covid economic plan led our country to some of the lowest unemployment rates in history, highest average household net worth, and bolstered other econometrics. His foreign policy has fostered alliances in the Middle East and normalized relations with Israel. All of those are great things, but he isn’t a leader. The president is unfit for office and does not represent all Americans. A Biden presidency may be necessary to bring decency and normalcy back to the White House, even if that means sacrificing some potentially amazing gains under President Trump. —Oliver Zemans ’22
As a woman of color, I fear what this election will mean for my fundamental rights as well as of those who identify as I do. Still, having Kamala Harris as a vice-presidential nominee has been a beacon of hope that shows how women of color are making progress in male-dominated fields. —Charlotte Myers-Elkins ’22
I fear for the future of this nation. I fear for the future of democracy. I fear for my family. I fear for my friends. I fear that Trump — a racist, power-hungry, radical old man — will become president. I fear that Biden — a power-hungry, radical old man — will become president. I fear that our nation will descend further and further into the quagmire of extremism, propelled by a mission of hate and spitefulness. I fear for the fearful. I fear for all those who think hope is lost. Vote Jo Jorgensen. Vote for hope. —Alex Aronov ’22
Most people I know can agree that they don’t necessarily love either candidate running in this election. However, for one of humanity’s most pressing problems, climate change, Biden is making the most significant steps toward slowing it. His $2 trillion plan would be a great investment not only for the environment but also for job creation in the clean energy sector to replace those that are rapidly disappearing in the oil sector. —Melody Qian ’24
