The Feather

The 2024 Presidential election has been one of the most volatile in our nation’s history. From assassination attempts to switching the nominee five months before the election, the American voters have been along for a bumpy ride. 

Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris goes toe to toe with Republican candidate and former President Donald J Trump, supported by their running mates, Tim Walz and J.D. Vance. Both parties have built their campaigns throughout the US, gathering supporters and popularity while also stirring up plenty of controversy.

Here are policy highlights candidates share on their web sites.

Trump Vance: Make America Great Again

• Seal the border and stop the migrant invasion
• Large tax cuts for workers, and no tax on tips
• Prevent World War III, restore peace in Europe and in the middle east
• Keep men out of women’s sports
• Reduce the prices of gasoline, diesel, and natural gas 
• Increase police funding for hiring and retraining police officers
• Protect Medicare, Social Security, and patients with preexisting conditions
• Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children
• Strengthen and modernize our military, making it, without question, the strongest and most powerful in the world
• Defend our constitution, our bill of rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms

Kamala Walz: A New Way Forward

• Plans to create an “Opportunity Economy” 
  • Goal of 25 million new business applications
  • Expand startup tax deduction for new businesses from $5k to $50k
  • Increase share of federal contract dollars for small businesses 
• Cut taxes for more than 100 million middle-class citizens
• Will lower the cost of everyday necessities such as groceries and food
• Plans on taxing the higher class ($400k salary and up) up to 28% and lowering the taxes on middle-class citizens
• Child Tax Credit: $6k tax dollar cut to families with a newborn child for the first year of its life
• Provide first-time home-buyers with $25k to help with down payment
• Raise minimum wage 
• Pass the first-ever federal ban on price gouging
• Lower prescription drug prices
• Restores the federal right to abortion,  if a bill is passed by Congress

The policies of the presidential candidates have many similar and contrasting ideas. Both Trump and Harris lay out their platforms on their campaign websites and continue to hold rallies daily. Both want to solve the Medicare crisis and lower the cost of medical supplies that should be affordable to everyone.

It is crucial to remember that political candidates will use persuasive tactics to garner votes which at times can make the process more complicated. Responsibility lies on the voter to fact-check, inform and research the issues that matter most. 

Caleb Iest, ‘25, believes voting is important, especially for the young men and women of America. He urges all eligible teenage voters to take on this opportunity.

“It is a right that not many countries have,” Iest said. “We need to exercise that right every time that it presents itself.”

It is very important to keep in mind what is happening outside of the United States at this time. With conflicts plaguing the world, especially in the Middle East, comparing what the candidates promise to do about them is critical. In times like these where countries have access to hundreds of nuclear missiles, citizens must prioritize the future of their children over political agenda.

Brian Butler, an English and Bible teacher at  Fresno Christian Schools, expresses the importance of the political standing the United States has in world affairs. 

“It is really important that America stays a very strong, influential member of the world,” Butler said. “There is a pretty clear choice of one administration that will stand up for America’s interest a little stronger than the others.”

Many wonder if their vote matters for the presidential election especially living in California. This requires understanding more about the Electoral College. The quick answer is yes, YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Each state has a specific number of electoral votes equal to its total congressional delegation. (Senators + Representatives) There are 538 total electoral votes and 270 are needed to win. When you vote you are essentially voting for how your state will vote. In close elections, some states have the potential to sway an election known as “swing states” or “battleground states.” 

California has been electing Democratic nominees since 1992.

Propositions are also a huge factor in politics every election year. They change how the country works and make many adjustments on a state level. Citizens are able to vote on what they want to change, like harsher punishments for theft or increasing the budget for teachers in public schools. These policies only affect the states individually and do not cross into neighboring states unless they have similar propositions. Online resources, such as The League of Women’s Voters, give deeper information on the agenda of propositions and whether you should vote yes or no on the individual props.

Katie McCrimsons, a first grade teacher at St. Francis Elementary, shares her view on why Propositions can make or break communities on a state level. She shares her experiences with bad propositions going into effect and how they impacted her family.

“It is crucial for ensuring your local and state policies align and meet the needs of your community,” McCrimsons said. “We had an 80% increase in unhoused citizens in my city alone.”

The 2024 Presidential Election will shape the United States forevermore, dictating the direction this country will take. The future of the country is in the hands of the people as it always has been, and always will be. It is our duty to educate ourselves on the world of politics and vote for the future we wish to see. If you wish to read more about the election, nonpartisan websites such as Ballotpedia and 270toWin give unbiased information about the upcoming events on Nov, 5.

If you wish to see more from The Feather, read Column: Ulysses S. Grant or Column: A Student-Journalist’s Journey on Central Valley Honor Flight #30.