op-ed

As Americans prepare for another presidential election, it's essential to pause and reflect on how the candidates' policies will impact our everyday lives. One question looms large: How will Donald Trump's presidency benefit you? After all, elections aren't just about sound bites, slogans, or grand gestures—they're about policies that directly affect your job, your health, your wallet, and your community.

Who Really Benefits from Trump's Tax Plan?

Donald Trump often touts his tax policies as a game-changer for the American economy. But let's dig deeper: who really benefits from his tax plan? The truth is, the vast majority of those tax cuts favor the ultra-wealthy. His brand of economic policy is rooted in the long-discredited theory of trickle-down economics—the idea that if the rich get richer, their wealth will somehow flow down to the rest of us. But time and again, studies have shown that this doesn't work. Wealth doesn't trickle down; it pools at the top.

While you may see a minor tax break, it pales in comparison to the windfalls enjoyed by billionaires and large corporations. Meanwhile, essential services and programs that benefit working Americans—like Social Security, Medicare, infrastructure and education—are underfunded or threatened with cuts.

Rising Costs and Tariffs: Who Pays the Price?

Trump's tariff policies have been another cornerstone of his economic agenda. Promoted as a way to "stand up to China" and "protect American jobs," in practice, these tariffs have done little more than raise prices for American consumers. Tariffs are essentially taxes on imports, and when goods become more expensive to bring into the country, those costs are passed down to you—the consumer. From groceries to electronics, the price of everyday items rises. This contributes to inflation, driving up the cost of living at a time when many families are already struggling to make ends meet.

Healthcare: Where’s the Plan?

After nine years in the political spotlight, including four years as president, Donald Trump has yet to present a coherent healthcare plan. We’ve heard him repeatedly promise a "great" plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but when pressed for details, he offers nothing concrete—only vague references to "a concept of a plan." Meanwhile, millions of Americans who rely on the ACA for affordable healthcare are left in limbo. Trump's inability to deliver a healthcare solution reveals a lack of concern for the most vulnerable in our society.

The Booming Economy Under Biden-Harris

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the economy has flourished, defying the doomsday predictions Trump made during his last campaign. He warned of stock market crashes, rampant inflation, and economic collapse—but the reality has been quite the opposite. The stock market has hit all-time highs, inflation is under control compared to many other developed countries, and gas prices have stabilized and are well-below the world average. The Democrats' focus on steady, sustainable growth has allowed the economy to recover and expand, benefiting not just the wealthy but ordinary Americans across the country.

Taxes: Who's Really Looking Out for the Middle Class?

Kamala Harris’s tax plan is clear and direct: tax cuts for the middle class, with increased taxes only for those earning more than $400,000 a year. This is a balanced, fair approach to taxation—one that ensures the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share while providing relief for working families. Contrast that with Trump's tax cuts, which disproportionately benefit the rich while adding to the national deficit and doing little to improve the financial well-being of the average American.

Gun Control: Safety, Not Confiscation

Let’s address another common misconception: the idea that Democrats, including Kamala Harris, are trying to take away your guns. This is simply not true. The Biden-Harris administration supports responsible gun ownership. Their policies focus on common-sense measures like safety training, background checks, and safe storage requirements—reasonable steps that seek to reduce gun violence while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. In a country where mass shootings have become a tragic and routine occurrence, these measures are necessary to protect our children and communities.

What Does Trump Really Offer Evangelicals?

For many evangelical voters, Donald Trump’s stance on abortion is a central reason for their support. But beyond rolling back abortion rights, what else does Trump offer evangelicals? As a man who has openly flaunted his disregard for the Ten Commandments—lying, cheating, stealing, commiting adultery and self-serving at every turn—he hardly represents the Christian values many of his supporters hold dear. He uses religion as a political tool but offers little of substance to the faith community beyond hollow promises.

Divisive Politics and Personal Gain

Trump's entire political career has been built on division, fear, and self-interest. He famously stoked racial and cultural tensions during his presidency, leaving a legacy of discord that still reverberates today. Recently, he even torpedoed a bipartisan border security bill that had the potential to address a serious national issue—simply because keeping the border crisis alive served his political ambitions by giving him a hot-button issue to run on. His unwillingness to solve real problems shows that his focus isn't on governing; it's on keeping the culture wars aflame to further his personal and political goals.

Sacrificing the Environment for Profit

On the environmental front, Trump’s policies are just as harmful. His administration rolled back countless environmental protections, favoring short-term profits for the fossil fuel industry over long-term sustainability. The consequences of this will be felt for generations, as we grapple with the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. His plans—if we can call them that—show a clear disregard for the future, prioritizing the interests of a few wealthy donors over the well-being of our planet and its people.

NATO and Global Stability: An Unforgivable Betrayal

Perhaps one of Trump’s most dangerous proposals is his intention to pull the U.S. out of NATO, the international alliance that has kept the peace in Europe and beyond for decades. NATO is one of the most important and effective organizations for maintaining global stability. Without it, the world would be a much more volatile place. Trump’s willingness to abandon this critical alliance puts global security at risk, all in the name of nationalism and short-sighted isolationism.

Ask Yourself: Why Support Someone Who Doesn’t Support You?

At the end of the day, Trump’s policies benefit the wealthy, the connected, and the powerful. They do little—if anything—to improve the lives of middle- and working-class Americans. His divisive rhetoric, xenophobia, and criminal behavior stand as a stain on our national reputation. As a convicted felon charged with sexual assault, he lacks the moral authority to represent our country on the world stage.

Trump's actions reveal a man driven by grievances, revenge, and personal gain. Whatever you think he’s offering you, it’s either a hollow promise or a cynical ploy to secure power and avoid accountability. So, I ask you: why are you supporting someone who doesn’t support you or the ones you love? You deserve better. America deserves better.