Katherine Ashley Chen
November 26, 2020
Signs of despair permeated Joe Biden supporters as ballots were counted and publications arrived at the conclusion that Ohio favored Trump over Biden. For decades, the state of Ohio has sided with the eventual presidential winner, so the shock resonating after the declaration of Biden’s eventual win was rather anticipated. Some were ecstatic with the results, others, not so much, but regardless of one's opinion on the man himself, Biden’s policies leave ample space for discussion.
One of Biden’s policies that many consider beneficial to the current landscape in the United States is his plan of conducting free, nationwide tests for all Americans. By establishing this system, alongside an efficient contact-tracing program, the American government would potentially be able to bring their disastrous coronavirus situation under a semblance of control. Biden himself is a strong believer in mask-wearing, a sentiment not shared by Trump, who mocked him during the first presidential debate, saying, “I don’t wear a mask like [Joe Biden]. Everytime you see him he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 250 feet away and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.” There is much evidence showing the positive implications of mask-wearing, and perhaps a leader with some shred of respectability will finally allow legislation that benefits millions of Americans.
The public also sees his serious outlook on the issue of climate change as a significant part of his presidential plan. Biden holds a strong, affirmative stance on joining the Paris Climate Accord, which would commit the U.S. to cutting down 28% of current greenhouse gases by 2025. Furthermore, he is willing to invest a $1.7 trillion federal investment in green technologies research and has voiced his wish to lead the United States in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a net zero by 2050. Some consider Biden’s climate change plan to be a reach, especially when it comes to setting attainable goals and obtaining adequate funding. Vikram Krishna, who considers himself to lean on the conservative side, says, “Global warming is certainly a topic of concern that must be addressed, but Biden’s plan seems to be rather unrealistic in terms of costs and funding.”
There are evidently flaws in Biden’s plans—ones that can be identified regardless of party affiliation. For example, Yugo Kuga and Vikram, who consider themselves supporters of different parties, agree that Biden’s wealth distribution plan is “rather extreme” and too far-fetched. They referred to Biden’s aim at fixing economic inequality and his vow to do anything to extend loans for small businesses and direct payment to families as a response to the economic decline during the current COVID-19 situation. Biden’s plans regarding social welfare revolve significantly around funding and wealth distribution, which are factors that most directly affect the efficiency of the American economy, and touch upon the lives of every single person within the country.
With these policies in mind, what will America look like with Joe Biden as president? Can we expect a better America in which joy is a greater, more prominent emotion than disappointment? As Yugo believes, will Biden be able to heal a nation so divided? Or as Vikram insists, will Biden bring dangers to America by applying radical sentiments ineffectively? Nothing can be guaranteed, but now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the show.