A sign outside the Mendenhall Mall directs voters to an early, in-person polling location. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

A sign outside the Mendenhall Mall directs voters to an early, in-person polling location. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The facts about our presidential choices

Americans need to vote for the honest, decent family man.

  • By Deborah Craig
  • Saturday, October 24, 2020 1:30am
  • Opinion

By Deborah Craig

Americans are poised to choose the next president of the United States and good decisions require facts. Cable television’s capacity for reliable reporting is questionable. If your choice of news outlet claims to be impartial but regularly devolves to yelling and name-calling, then it’s entertainment, not news. We need facts to compare and contrast candidate strengths and weaknesses.

In 2016, Donald Trump inherited a functional administration with an economy successfully emerging from a recession and providing health care to millions of Americans. The pandemic changed everything although experts believe this should not have been so disastrous for Americans. Compared to other first world countries, proportionally more Americans have died or been infected. The pandemic continues unabated in the U.S. and the fall surge has emerged.

Trump’s pandemic response is widely acknowledged as a failure for him personally and for Americans. He blamed states, when he should have developed a national disaster response with a coherent message supporting the CDC. Conversely, Biden embraces medical and scientific advice, proposes expanded free testing centers and mandating CDC recommended procedures for our collective safety. Trump sporadically halts pandemic relief. Biden promotes immediate congressional action by extending small business loans and direct relief payments.

Trump asked the Supreme Court to repeal the Affordable Care Act, ending medical coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic and ensuring those with pre-existing conditions will struggle to obtain insurance. Biden doesn’t support Medicare for all, but he does support improving and continuing the ACA and expanding public health options during a pandemic.

Trump rolled back federal and environmental regulations, and enacted corporate and income tax cuts. The uber-wealthy 1% got richer and more millionaires became billionaires this year due to the bump in pandemic-related industries. The other 99% — average Americans — have yet to see economic gains despite modest tax cuts. Many are struggling. Biden has promised to rescind Trump’s tax cuts to people making over $450,000 annually and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Americans are protesting police abuse against people of color. Trump initially implemented minor police reforms, however, at the Presidential debate, he incomprehensibly urged a known white supremacist group to “stand back and stand by.” The FBI considers white terrorist groups one of the most urgent, emerging threats to our national security. Biden openly acknowledges racism, but rejects calls to defund police. He recommends redirecting resources to proven programs that maintain standards, support mental health and community monitoring.

Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord contending climate change is a hoax and escalating weather-related disasters across America (fires, floods and hurricanes) are unrelated to climate change. Biden calls climate change an “existential threat.” He will rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and proposes a $1.7 trillion federal investment in green technology research dovetailing with investments in green energy/manufacturing to help the working class who hold those jobs.

Trump supports the Second Amendment and the gun lobbyist National Rifle Association spent $30 million on his 2016 campaign. Biden supports the Second Amendment and wants reform to include universal background checks, closing loopholes, banning assault weapons and improved gun licensing systems.

The contrasts between these candidates regarding immigration, foreign policy and more are stark. Our presidential choice comes down to two elderly white men with very different visions of our future. And notably, if neither can perform his duties during his term, his running mate will become president to carry forward that vision. Mike Pence, 61, is a white, conservative, evangelical Christian and former governor of Indiana and congressman. Kamala Harris, 55, is a woman of color, former prosecutor and Attorney General of California and a sitting Senator who appeals to moderates, progressives and young people.

Remarkably, almost 500 generals, admirals and National Security officials, as well as 1600 multi-faith leaders are publicly backing Biden. For the first time in history, two nonpartisan scientific journals, The New England Journal of Medicine and Scientific American, are backing a candidate: Biden. A cadre of high profile Republicans formed The Lincoln Project to support Biden.

Americans need to vote for the honest, decent family man who lives his Christian beliefs — the rational guy who understands science, compromise, collaboration and chose Kamala Harris: Joe Biden.

Deborah Craig resides in Juneau. Craig gleaned this information from the candidates’ websites and news outlets notable for fact-based reporting. Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a letter to the editor or My Turn .


Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a letter to the editor or My Turn .


More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many Louisiana homes were rebuilt with the living space on the second story, with garage space below, to try to protect the home from future flooding. (Infrogmation of New Orleans via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA)
Misperceptions stand in way of disaster survivors wanting to rebuild safer, more sustainable homes

As Florida and the Southeast begin recovering from 2024’s destructive hurricanes, many… Continue reading

The F/V Liberty, captained by Trenton Clark, fishes the Pacific near Metlakatla on Aug. 20, 2024. (Ash Adams/The New York Times)
My Turn: Charting a course toward seafood independence for Alaska’s vulnerable food systems

As a commercial fisherman based in Sitka and the executive director of… Continue reading

People watch a broadcast of Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, delivering a speech at Times Square in New York, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Graham Dickie/The New York Times)
Opinion: The Democratic Party’s failure of imagination

Aside from not being a lifelong Republican like Peter Wehner, the sentiment… Continue reading

A steady procession of vehicles and students arrives at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before the start of the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Let’s consider tightening cell phones restrictions in Juneau schools

A recent uptick in student fights on and off campus has Juneau… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Alaskans are smart, can see the advantages of RCV and open primaries

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that neither endorses… Continue reading

(Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
10 reasons to put country above party labels in election

Like many of you I grew up during an era when people… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letters: Vote no on ballot measure 2 for the future of Alaska

The idea that ranked choice voting (RCV) is confusing is a red… Continue reading

A map shows state-by-state results of aggregate polls for U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump (red) and Kamala Harris (blue), with states too close to call in grey, as of Oct. 29. (Wikimedia Commons map)
Opinion: The silent Republican Party betrayal

On Monday night, Donald Trump reported that two Pennsylvania counties had received… Continue reading

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Election presents stark contrasts

This election, both at the state and federal level, presents a choice… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Supporting ranked choice voting is the honest choice

Some folks are really up in arms about the increased freedom afforded… Continue reading

Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
My Turn: Why I oppose privatization of the Tongass rainforest

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been trying to privatize the Tongass for years.… Continue reading