The 2016 election has been very different in every aspect. The media attention, the scandals, the popularity contest. Both major candidates in the presidential race would make history, as seems to be a primary trend in voting behavior. But, the future of the country depends on so much more than just making a politically correct historical statement.
Do you remember the mean old lady in the eighth grade when she told you to pick the “best possible option” on the test? Well, this election is that mean, old lady. Don’t get me wrong, friends, Donald Trump was not my first pick out of the lineup either, but I believe he is that best possible option for the country right now.
My father said something to me the other day that stuck with me. “Julie,” he said, “You’re not just voting for a president, but for a presidency.”
I won’t waste our precious time by trying to assassinate the character of either one of the major candidates. If you want information on that just interview Billy Bush or James Comey, but I digress. This is not the time for personality profiles and preferences, but a strict perusal of policy.
Without getting too harsh, let’s ponder the main alternative option, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Upon leaving the White House in 2001, the Clintons continued their work with the Foundation bearing their name, all while earning a much higher profit than in past years. Ethical questions have arisen as to the nature of foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation, all while she was Secretary of State.
A number of questions could be raised pertaining to her time served as Secretary of State under the Obama Administration, such as her weak- or lack of- management in the Benghazi, Libya attack that claimed the lives of American Ambassador Chris Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
Spinning from this, most recent news comes from FBI Director James Comey, acting independently from the advisement of the Justice Department, in which he stated in a letter to Congress that the Bureau had reopened its investigation into the emails containing classified information found on an unauthorized, private server. The initial House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings from July 2016 produced the declaration of “gross negligence” on the part of Mrs. Clinton, which is, in fact, a crime.
Digging our heels into the policy platforms that she favors is when true fear takes root in my heart. In past interview and discussion, Mrs. Clinton has voiced her undying support for the work of institutions like Planned Parenthood, “providing reproductive healthcare” and “protecting a woman’s right to choose.” Clinton has even voiced support for late-term abortions, sometimes called “post-viability abortions.” Meaning that a baby could feasibly live outside of the womb at this stage, these procedures end the life of the child past 27 weeks of gestation.
Comments about District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) led to more fear in conservative hearts. Her decidedly oppressive attitude toward Americans’ right to bear arms will only make current policies look like child’s play.
While the clichéd name of experience surrounds her, we must also consider what kind of experience she has gained. I’m not so sure that over 30 years of political experience is really something to brag about, much less something you use to claim a moral high ground. What real-life experience has she gained? What product or resolution has she produced for people or society?
When comparing the policies of Businessman Donald J. Trump with that of the former Secretary of State, I feel much more at ease. It is often claimed, “He’s a smart businessman. He could help our economy.” A large crowd often scoffs at that, but the claim has merit. His comments about the difficulties accumulated after the signing of NAFTA have some Americans’ attention. The lowered tariffs between the United States and Mexico combined with the higher rate of American jobs outsourced to Mexico has created a rapidly increasing trade deficit between us and them.
His hopeful repeal of the obviously failed socialized medicine plan, dubbed “ObamaCare,” would greatly impact American society, as well. I would agree with his point that you can’t fix a problem by expanding a failed policy, but by trashing it, and starting anew.
With fears of national security threats at an all-time high, Mr. Trump’s plans to strengthen our borders with stricter vetting policies, I believe, will positively affect American sentiment toward immigration policy. With refugee crises sending thousands upon thousands to American borders and with continual threats from radical Islamic extremism on the rise, Americans are growing more and more wary of weakened borders.
His decision to further strengthen the basic infrastructure of the military will only result in strengthened foreign policy. The weaknesses in foreign policy and diplomacy of Former Secretary Clinton and Current Secretary John Kerry will hopefully vanish as the United States will be able to reestablish itself as a military power and secure national interest in global affairs.
While Mr. Trump’s character and personality is often a breaking point for many conservative voters, let alone moderates, I believe that he has wisdom enough to appoint wise men and women in his cabinet with which to glean knowledge of the “experience” that everyone wishes for. I hold that men like Mike Pence, his vice-presidential running mate, and Trey Gowdy, the man Trump claims will be named as Attorney General, will be expedient choices as members of a Trump cabinet.
Even more important is the appointment of Supreme Court Nominations. The possibility of appointing four justices makes this presidential election so much heavier than just four to eight years. Donald Trump has said that he will seek out nomination for both the Supreme Court and the lower district courts on the basis on original interpretation, following in the precedent of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. This, compared to Mrs. Clinton’s more leftist approach, would prohibit more “legislation from the bench,” as it is often called.
Again, the character of either major candidate could be drawn into question, with her comments about “deplorable” voters or his distasteful, offensive comments about relationships with women, but this election depends on so much more than a personality preference. The future of our children’s generation depends on the original interpretation of our Constitution, the ability to live peaceably in a secure nation, the ability to protect our own lives by force of arms, the availability of prosperous economic markets in which to work, and the protection of all human life- born or unborn. I believe that Donald J. Trump is, now, our best possible option in maintaining the framework of our republic.
By: Julie Williams, Copy Editor
