Trump vs. Harris: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Their Stances on Issues That Matter to Voters

Trump vs. Harris: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Their Stances on Issues That Matter to Voters

As the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, voters are closely examining the stances of the two major contenders: incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. While both candidates offer unique perspectives, it’s crucial to understand where they stand on issues that matter most to American voters.

Healthcare

Donald Trump:

• Supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a more market-oriented approach

Kamala Harris:

• Advocates for expanding the ACA and implementing a Medicare-for-all system

Economy

Donald Trump:

• Promotes tax cuts for businesses and individuals, deregulation, and a focus on energy independence

Kamala Harris:

• Advocates for increasing the minimum wage, investing in infrastructure, and expanding access to affordable housing

Climate Change

Donald Trump:

• Rolled back numerous environmental regulations and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement

Kamala Harris:

• Supports rejoining the Paris Agreement and investing in clean energy sources

Immigration

Donald Trump:

• Implemented a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries and separated families at the border

Kamala Harris:

• Advocates for a comprehensive immigration reform bill and protecting Dreamers

Social Issues

Donald Trump:

• Supports traditional values, opposes abortion, and advocates for gun rights

Kamala Harris:

• Supports abortion rights, marriage equality, and gun control reforms

A Comparative Analysis of Trump and Harris: Key Issues in the 2020 Presidential Election

The 2020 presidential election, held on November 3, 2020, was one of the most significant and closely watched elections in recent American history. With an unprecedented number of voters casting their ballots early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the election marked a pivotal moment for the United States. This article aims to

provide an in-depth comparison

of the two main contenders: President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, focusing on their stances on key issues that matter to voters.

President Donald Trump

Running for a second term, Trump entered the election with a controversial record. A businessman turned politician, Trump’s tenure was marked by contentious policies on immigration, trade, and healthcare, as well as his divisive rhetoric. His supporters praised him for his strong leadership and economic achievements, while critics accused him of fueling division and exacerbating social tensions.

Key Issues:

• Immigration: Trump’s stance on immigration remained unchanged: he called for a border wall, stricter enforcement of immigration laws, and an end to “sanctuary cities.”
• Trade: Trump continued to prioritize “America First” policies, seeking to renegotiate trade deals and impose tariffs on goods from countries like China.
• Healthcare: Trump’s administration worked to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, and instead proposed a plan that would provide tax credits for insurance purchases.

Vice President Kamala Harris

As the first woman, the first Black person, and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president, Harris brought historic change to the White House. A former prosecutor and Senator from California, Harris campaigned on progressive policies aimed at addressing social and economic inequality. Her supporters saw her as a unifying figure who could bridge the political divide, while critics accused her of being too liberal or insufficiently experienced.

Key Issues:

• Immigration: Harris supported comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
• Trade: Harris advocated for fair trade deals that prioritize American workers and protect the environment.
• Healthcare: Harris championed expanding access to affordable healthcare, including by protecting the ACA and pushing for Medicare-for-All.

Background of the Candidates

Personal background and political careers

Donald J. Trump: Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, the 45th President of the United States began his career in real estate development. He later expanded into casinos, hotels, and golf courses, amassing a fortune before entering politics. Trump entered the political scene as a birther, questioning Barack Obama’s citizenship, and announced his presidential campaign on June 16, 2015.

Kamala Harris: Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, she served as a district attorney for San Francisco before being elected Attorney General of California in 2010. Harris was later elected as the United States Senator from California on November 8, 2016. She announced her presidential campaign on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2019.

Overview of their election campaigns

President Trump’s campaign: “Make America Great Again” (MAGA)

• Economy and jobs: Trump promised to revitalize the economy by lowering taxes for corporations and individuals, reducing regulations, and renegotiating international trade deals.
• Immigration and border security: He campaigned on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, reducing both legal and illegal immigration, and implementing stricter enforcement of existing laws.
• Healthcare: Trump aimed to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replace it with a plan that would offer more affordable options without increasing premiums.
• Social issues: He promised to protect the Second Amendment and appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court.

Vice President Harris’ campaign: “For the People

Vice President Harris campaigned on unity and inclusion, emphasizing that her campaign is “For the People.” Her platform included:

• Unity and inclusion: Harris promised to bridge divides and unite the nation through empathy, understanding, and bringing people together.
• Healthcare and the ACA: She pledged to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and offer universal healthcare coverage.
• Climate change and the environment: Harris aims to combat climate change, protect public lands, and invest in clean energy.
• Criminal justice reform: She supports criminal justice reform efforts, including abolishing cash bail and ending mandatory minimum sentences.

I Comparison of the Candidates’ Stances on Key Issues

In this section, we will meticulously examine and thoroughly compare the stances of our two presidential candidates, Alice and Bob, on some

key issues

. These issues include but are not limited to, the economy, healthcare, education, climate change, and foreign policy.

Economy

Alice advocates for a progressive tax system, where the wealthy pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes than the middle class. She plans to invest in infrastructure projects and expand social services to stimulate economic growth, particularly focusing on education and healthcare. Bob, on the other hand, champions a pro-business approach. He aims to lower corporate taxes and deregulate industries to encourage economic growth, believing that businesses will create jobs and increase wages as a result.

Healthcare

Alice supports expanding access to affordable healthcare for all Americans. She advocates for a single-payer system, which would allow the government to cover healthcare costs for all citizens. Bob, however, proposes a market-based approach. He believes that individuals should be responsible for their healthcare and advocates for the continuation of Obamacare with improvements to make it more affordable.

Education

Alice emphasizes the need for investing in public education to make it accessible and of high quality. She advocates for increasing funding, reducing class sizes, and providing resources to struggling schools. Bob’s stance on education is less interventionist. He believes that parents should have more control over their children’s education and supports school choice initiatives, including charter schools and vouchers.

Climate Change

Alice is a climate change advocate. She plans to implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote sustainable agriculture. Bob, on the other hand, expresses skepticism about the severity of climate change. He believes that economic growth should be prioritized over environmental concerns and advocates for continuing to use fossil fuels.

Foreign Policy

Alice’s foreign policy focuses on diplomacy, multilateralism, and international cooperation. She plans to engage with other countries to address global issues, such as climate change, economic inequality, and conflict resolution. Bob’s foreign policy is more interventionist. He supports a strong military and believes that the United States should be willing to use force to protect its interests.

In summary, Alice’s policies reflect a more progressive, social safety net approach to governing, while Bob’s policies are focused on economic growth and individual responsibility. The choice between the two candidates ultimately depends on voters’ priorities and values.

Economy and Jobs

President Trump’s economic policies have been centered around promoting pro-growth measures, including the passage of the

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

, which aimed to reduce corporate tax rates and stimulate business investment. Additionally, the Administration has pursued a strategy of deregulation, rolling back over 20,000 regulatory actions, according to the American Action Forum.

President Trump’s Stance: Pro-growth Policies, Tax Cuts, Deregulation

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

President Trump’s signature legislative achievement, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, reduced corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%. This tax cut was intended to encourage businesses to invest in the United States and create jobs. However, the impact on employment growth remains a subject of debate among economists.

Deregulation efforts under the Trump Administration

The Trump Administration’s deregulatory initiatives have been extensive, affecting various industries, from energy to healthcare. The goal has been to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and stimulate economic growth. Critics argue that these deregulation efforts have weakened environmental protections, labor standards, and consumer safeguards.

Vice President Harris’ Stance: Progressive Economic Policies, Income Inequality, and Access to Education

Vice President Harris has advocated for a more progressive economic agenda. She has expressed concern over rising income inequality and called for policies that would address this issue, such as increasing the minimum wage. Harris has also proposed a student loan forgiveness plan that would provide debt relief for millions of Americans with student loans.

Support for minimum wage increase

Vice President Harris has been a vocal advocate for raising the minimum wage. She believes that increasing the minimum wage would help reduce income inequality and provide a living wage for working Americans. Harris has proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, a significant increase from the current rate of $7.25 per hour.

Proposed student loan forgiveness plan

Under Vice President Harris’ proposed student loan forgiveness plan, up to $50,000 in student loan debt would be forgiven for borrowers earning less than $125,000 per year. This plan aims to help alleviate the burden of student loan debt and make higher education more affordable for Americans. The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a $1.2 trillion plan to forgive student loans, which is currently being debated in Congress.

Healthcare Stances: President Trump, Vice President Harris, and the Biden-Harris Administration

President Trump: Repeal and Replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Support for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

During his tenure, President Trump expressed his intent to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) commonly known as Obamacare. He believed that this legislation was burdensome for businesses and individuals, causing increased premiums and decreased choices in healthcare plans. In contrast to the ACA, Trump advocated for a more market-driven approach through health savings accounts (HSAs). These tax-advantaged accounts would enable individuals to save money for healthcare expenses, making them more accountable for their healthcare decisions.

Vice President Harris: Expand and Protect the ACA, Support for Medicare-for-all

Kamala Harris’ stance on healthcare has been multifaceted, aligning herself with both expanding the ACA and supporting Medicare-for-all during her political career. As a Senator from California, she cosponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019, which would establish a national healthcare system that covers all Americans. Simultaneously, Harris emphasized the importance of protecting and expanding the ACA, stating that it was necessary to provide affordable healthcare coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.

Biden-Harris Plan: Expanding the ACA

The Biden-Harris administration’s healthcare plan centers around expanding the ACA through several key initiatives, including:

• Lowering health insurance premiums for Obamacare plans by increasing competition among insurers and providing more subsidies to make coverage affordable.
• Closing the Medicaid gap in states that have not yet expanded this program, providing coverage to an additional 4 million Americans.
• Creating a public option for healthcare coverage through the ACA, which would offer more affordable options and incentivize private insurers to compete on price.

Kamala Harris’ History: Medicare-for-all and the ACA

Harris has long been an advocate for both expanding the ACA and supporting Medicare-for-all. Her stance on healthcare has evolved throughout her political career, reflecting a progressive shift towards universal healthcare coverage.

Climate Change and the Environment: Comparing Trump’s and Harris’ Stances

President Trump’s Stance:

During his presidency, Donald J. Trump took several steps that drew criticism from environmental activists and allies of the Paris Agreement. In June 2017, Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the accord. This decision was a significant departure from other global leaders and placed the U.S. at odds with nearly 200 countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Trump’s administration was also known for its support of the fossil fuel and coal industries, rolling back regulations aimed at curbing carbon emissions.

Vice President Harris’ Stance:

On the other hand, Kamala Harris, as the current

Vice President of the United States

, has pledged to prioritize climate change action and transition to a green economy. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris released the

Biden-Harris climate and environmental justice plan

, which includes ambitious goals such as achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2030, investing in climate research and infrastructure, and creating millions of jobs in the renewable energy sector. Harris has long been an advocate for addressing climate change, emphasizing its impact on environmental justice and public health.

Social Issues: A Comparison of Trump and Harris’ Stances

President Trump:

Trump, with his conservative views on social issues, has been a vocal opponent of expanding individual liberties. His pro-life stance on abortion rights has been evident throughout his political career. He reinstated the “Mexico City Policy” that restricts U.S. foreign aid from funding organizations that perform or promote abortions. Moreover, his administration has taken steps to limit access to birth control and other reproductive health services.

Abortion Rights:

Abortion rights, according to Trump, should be left to individual states. His nomination of conservative justices to the Supreme Court was a significant concern for reproductive rights advocates as their appointments could potentially lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

LGBTQ+ Rights:

On LGBTQ+ rights, Trump’s administration has rolled back protections and implemented policies that have been deemed discriminatory. He banned transgender individuals from serving in the military and removed protections for trans students that allowed them to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

LGBTQ+ Rights: Marriage Equality

Although Trump himself has expressed support for same-sex marriage, his administration’s actions have contradicted this stance. He withdrew the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council after it criticized the U.S. for its record on LGBTQ+ rights.

Vice President Harris:

Harris, with her progressive views on social issues and unwavering support for civil liberties and equal rights, stands in stark contrast to Trump. Her record on reproductive rights during her Senate tenure reflects her commitment to protecting individual freedoms.

Senator Harris: Reproductive Rights

Reproductive rights, according to Harris, are fundamental human rights. She has advocated for federal legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act and supported state efforts to expand access to reproductive healthcare.

Harris: LGBTQ+ Rights

LGBTQ+ rights, for Harris, include marriage equality and the fight against discrimination in all its forms. She has co-sponsored legislation like the Equality Act, which aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Marriage Equality

As a senator from California, Harris had the opportunity to witness firsthand the progress towards marriage equality. She supported legislation like the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) repeal and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights ever since.

Conclusion

In the final stretch of the 2020 presidential campaign, it’s crucial to reflect on the candidates’ stances on key issues that matter most to voters. Economy and jobs: Candidate A has proposed a plan focused on job creation through infrastructure investment, while Candidate B emphasizes expanding access to education and training programs. Healthcare: A key distinction lies in their approaches to healthcare reform – Candidate A advocates for market-based solutions, whereas Candidate B supports a more comprehensive expansion of the Affordable Care Act. Climate change and the environment: On environmental issues, Candidate A has pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement and invest in renewable energy, while Candidate B’s stance remains unclear. Social issues: Lastly, on social issues such as racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights, Candidate A has advocated for systemic change and equality, while Candidate B’s position is less definitive.

Encouragement for Informed Voting

With the election just around the corner, it is essential that voters educate themselves on these issues and make an informed decision when casting their ballots. By taking the time to understand each candidate’s stance, you can make a well-informed choice that aligns with your values and beliefs.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the candidates’ stances on issues that matter to you is vital in the election process. This not only allows you to make an informed decision but also encourages a more engaged and active role in our democratic system. As we move forward, let us remember that an educated and informed voter is the cornerstone of a strong democracy.