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South Africans in De Aar wait in line to cast their votes in the presidential election on April 27, 1994, the country’s first free and democratic post-apartheid election.
We do not know what the future holds, but the upcoming midterm elections will most likely be one of the most consequential of the next generation, and the trajectory of life in the U.S. as we know it will drastically change depending on this election. Many millennials felt during the 2016 election that the presidential candidates were similar and that their vote didn’t matter, and how wrong they were. Several major issues will take wildly different courses depending on which party controls Congress- this is no longer a time to be complacent. People must vote.
The list of reasons to vote is much, much longer than what I have listed here. There are marginalized communities that are threatened: women, the LGBTQ community, the African-American community, Muslims, Jews, and more. This list is not meant to dismiss those issues even a little, but if someone if voting based on those issues, they’ve liked decided whom to vote for. This list is for those who are undecided, for those who are unsure whether they should even bother voting. If you’re on the fence, or just feel like registering to vote may be a lot of work, here are several reasons why you should register to vote, then get to the polls November 6th.
Healthcare
The deficit ballooned, increasing by 17% this past year as a consequence of tax reform. With the tax cuts, the deficit ballooning was inevitable and Republicans knew that, it was part of their strategy. They were going to blame the deficit on entitlements, say they were too much and slash them. Ultimately, even if you happened to benefit from the tax cuts (most middle class Americans did not) the cost of your healthcare will increase substantially, especially if you do not have health insurance. Democrats, the authors and supports of the Affordable Care Act, are fighting to maintain the protections for those with preexisting conditions, for women’s healthcare and for medicare and medicaid. If you or someone you know depends on the Affordable Care Act for accessible healthcare, this is a pivotal election. Though Trump has said numerous times at rallies that he will protect the pre-existing conditions amendment of the Affordable Care Act, but his justice department has refused to defend the existing law in court.
The Economy
How much you’re taxed, and what your tax dollars go toward vastly differs depending on what party you vote into Congress. Republicans spend an great deal of money on the military, while Democrats want to put more money into infrastructure, education and healthcare. Historically Democrats tax more than Republicans, but the government spending is similar. In recent history Republican administrations have spent more because they’ve entered our country into two wars. President Obama brought the economy back from the Great Recession, and the programs and policies he put in place are paying dividends to this day. The market has had a long and climbing run, with Trump taking created for its success.
Immigration
There are stark differences between the two major parties on immigration. Republicans want to essentially bring immigration to a halt, even deporting people who are currently applying for citizenship/permanent residency, and want to essentially eliminate refugee placement programs. Republicans are also making "the caravan" of refugees and immigrants from Honduras a central campaign issue for their base. One of the very first orders of business for this administration was a Muslim travel ban. Trump has argued that immigrants, legal and illegal, are diminishing the country and we need to stop accepting them. His administration enacted family separation policies for immigrant families apprehended at the border. To say that Republicans are hostile towards immigrants in any capacity in this country is an understatement.
Democrats have been pushing to reform legal immigration, and have been trying to pass the Dream Act for the young children who were brought to the US as children, and who are American in every sense but on paper, but the negotiation was fumbled by the president. If you are supportive of people immigrating to this country, and for an improved legal path to citizenship, the Democrats are who you want in office.
Climate Change
The UN scientific panel released a harrowing report a few weeks ago that the world could be in crisis as soon as 2040. Though the vast majority of the international community has embraced the science that demonstrates the climate is changing, the Republican party, especially the president, has accused climate scientists of being political, and that the human impact on climate change is exaggerated. The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement, which is the signature international climate treaty, under the Trump administration. President Obama signed that treaty, and Democrats are champions of climate science and want to pass legislation to help protect the planet. If you feel strongly about environmental conservation and climate change, this is a pivotal election for climate policy.
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South Africans in De Aar wait in line to cast their votes in the presidential election on April 27, 1994, the country’s first free and democratic post-apartheid election.
We do not know what the future holds, but the upcoming midterm elections will most likely be one of the most consequential of the next generation, and the trajectory of life in the U.S. as we know it will drastically change depending on this election. Many millennials felt during the 2016 election that the presidential candidates were similar and that their vote didn’t matter, and how wrong they were. Several major issues will take wildly different courses depending on which party controls Congress- this is no longer a time to be complacent. People must vote.
The list of reasons to vote is much, much longer than what I have listed here. There are marginalized communities that are threatened: women, the LGBTQ community, the African-American community, Muslims, Jews, and more. This list is not meant to dismiss those issues even a little, but if someone if voting based on those issues, they’ve liked decided whom to vote for. This list is for those who are undecided, for those who are unsure whether they should even bother voting. If you’re on the fence, or just feel like registering to vote may be a lot of work, here are several reasons why you should register to vote, then get to the polls November 6th.
Healthcare
The deficit ballooned, increasing by 17% this past year as a consequence of tax reform. With the tax cuts, the deficit ballooning was inevitable and Republicans knew that, it was part of their strategy. They were going to blame the deficit on entitlements, say they were too much and slash them. Ultimately, even if you happened to benefit from the tax cuts (most middle class Americans did not) the cost of your healthcare will increase substantially, especially if you do not have health insurance. Democrats, the authors and supports of the Affordable Care Act, are fighting to maintain the protections for those with preexisting conditions, for women’s healthcare and for medicare and medicaid. If you or someone you know depends on the Affordable Care Act for accessible healthcare, this is a pivotal election. Though Trump has said numerous times at rallies that he will protect the pre-existing conditions amendment of the Affordable Care Act, but his justice department has refused to defend the existing law in court.
The Economy
How much you’re taxed, and what your tax dollars go toward vastly differs depending on what party you vote into Congress. Republicans spend an great deal of money on the military, while Democrats want to put more money into infrastructure, education and healthcare. Historically Democrats tax more than Republicans, but the government spending is similar. In recent history Republican administrations have spent more because they’ve entered our country into two wars. President Obama brought the economy back from the Great Recession, and the programs and policies he put in place are paying dividends to this day. The market has had a long and climbing run, with Trump taking created for its success.
Immigration
There are stark differences between the two major parties on immigration. Republicans want to essentially bring immigration to a halt, even deporting people who are currently applying for citizenship/permanent residency, and want to essentially eliminate refugee placement programs. Republicans are also making “the caravan” of refugees and immigrants from Honduras a central campaign issue for their base. One of the very first orders of business for this administration was a Muslim travel ban. Trump has argued that immigrants, legal and illegal, are diminishing the country and we need to stop accepting them. His administration enacted family separation policies for immigrant families apprehended at the border. To say that Republicans are hostile towards immigrants in any capacity in this country is an understatement.
Democrats have been pushing to reform legal immigration, and have been trying to pass the Dream Act for the young children who were brought to the US as children, and who are American in every sense but on paper, but the negotiation was fumbled by the president. If you are supportive of people immigrating to this country, and for an improved legal path to citizenship, the Democrats are who you want in office.
Climate Change
The UN scientific panel released a harrowing report a few weeks ago that the world could be in crisis as soon as 2040. Though the vast majority of the international community has embraced the science that demonstrates the climate is changing, the Republican party, especially the president, has accused climate scientists of being political, and that the human impact on climate change is exaggerated. The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement, which is the signature international climate treaty, under the Trump administration. President Obama signed that treaty, and Democrats are champions of climate science and want to pass legislation to help protect the planet. If you feel strongly about environmental conservation and climate change, this is a pivotal election for climate policy.
