Over the last couple weeks, Americans around the country and abroad have witnessed the Democratic and Republican Conventions. These conventions have differed from previous years of tradition due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as both have switched to utilizing virtual conventions. Certainly, it has been a break from tradition, First Lady Melania Trump, President Trump and other presenters have used the White House as a platform, a major insult to American’s values as the White House is a symbol that represents the people’s house and not the incumbent sitting in this office. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave his speech in Jerusalem while on diplomatic tradition, a break from tradition as the nation’s top diplomat is prohibited from getting involved in political participation. These conventions will not be forgotten anytime soon as both Republicans and Democrats have tried to ignite their bases while attracting undecided voters. The Democratic platform was created to provide a comprehensive list of beliefs. Many of these beliefs coincide with Vice President Joe Biden’s platform.
Aside from these last two nights, small businesses and workers can expect a lot from the Democratic platform to address immediate concerns and anxiety from the Coronavirus as well as plans for the future under a Joe Biden Presidency. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has compiled a lot of policies to their Democratic platform addressing immediate and long term issues. These issues consist of COVID-19 plans to addressing the immediate impact of the pandemic on the economy, economic recovery with expansion into green jobs, climate change, small businesses, and an active foreign policy in opposition to the Trump Administration’s isolationist policies and strict immigration laws. To the Democrats, it is calling for a return to “normalcy” of American values and participation both domestically and abroad and to heal a nation that has been highly divided. This article will focus on those values from the Democratic Platform. Small business owners have a lot to look forward to while being receptive to some issues such as raising the minimum wage, economic growth, and health care.
The Democratic Convention has been exhilarating as Vice President Joe Biden accepted the nomination of President alongside his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, for Vice President to run against the election President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in this upcoming November election. The Democratic convention has provided a lot of insight to what Democrats under Joe Biden will do and provide policies addressing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and addresses recovery in three cycles. This convention has highlighted many different interest groups within the Democratic Party and coming together under one party. Small business owners can expect a lot from the Democratic Party with its all-inclusive platform.
The Democratic Convention brought a sign of unity and ready for the challenge to come. With speeches from Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as well as President Bill Clinton to inspire voters across the country. In addition, there was a panel of presidential candidates featuring Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, and Mike Bloomberg and many other political leaders like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The Democratic platform has been very united on common issues such as continuing the fight against climate change, providing COVID-19 pandemic relief to small businesses and workers, foreign policy, etc.
Addressing COVID-19 and Rebuilding the Economy:
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a major impact on the United States’ economy. Small businesses continue to struggle and require additional relief from existing programs. As we await the next Coronavirus package from Congress, the Democratic platform emphasizes building strong effective policies following the science. That means developing plans that should have been implemented from the beginning such as making testing more available, building a track and trace system, providing supply lines for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), while continually working with health advisors and policy makers in developing, an objective that President Donald Trump has not implemented or accomplished. In addition, Joe Biden’s plan calls for a nationwide mask mandate through working with governors and local officials to help flatten the curve. Currently, there are 16 states that do not have mask mandates. To the Democrats, implementing these immediate actions as well as providing additional aid to small businesses and workers will be the most straightforward path to economic recovery.
There is a consensus of building a better and more fair economy within the Democratic party. Economic growth will be relied upon building a stronger educational system, large government investment into new infrastructure programs, creating affordable childcare for working families. These plans will require further investment into rural communities and investing in the Small Business Administration programs that target minority owned businesses.
Another major topic that will continue to be addressed is reforming the tax code. It will call for the immediate end to President Trump’s tax cuts to the wealthy and corporate taxes. Working families will benefit from targeted tax breaks while rejecting corporate trickle-down tax cuts.
Improving worker’s rights and strengthening unions will be reformed. The platform features new protections to strengthen unions to negotiate as well as allowing unions to organize more actively. In addition to promoting more investment opportunities and worker’s rights, the minimum wage was addressed. The Democratic platforms aims to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026.
Climate Change
The fight against climate change remains an important issue with an equal emphasis in protecting our environment by promoting green technology and jobs as well as uniting with other countries to combat climate change. Since President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement back in 2016. Joe Biden vows that one of his first acts will not only to join the Paris Climate Agreement but that the United States will take a more vocal role in combating climate change. In addition, this will be working with allies as well as punishing climate abusers for mass pollution.
In addition to combating climate change, the Vice President’s plan requires major investment into our existing infrastructure and economy in order for the United States to achieve zero emissions. The Biden Presidency is ensuring that the US can achieve 100% clean energy economy by 2050 that will reach a net zero emission. This will include major investments into clean energy and the infrastructure. Biden’s climate and environmental justice proposal feature a $1.7 trillion investment over 10 years. In order to accomplish this goal, it will require new technical educational training as well as investing into green technology.
Foreign Policy
In contrast to President Donald Trump’s “America First” isolationist policies, the Democratic platform focuses and reignites American leadership abroad. The most important issues to note on this broad issue focuses on American cooperation and leadership in handling transnational issues, climate change, and trade. This will require a lot of time and effort in rebuilding and renewing alliances with our security and trade partners worldwide. This will include programs toward providing foreign assistance and development programs and to work with other countries.
Transnational issues incorporate a number of ideas. Topics focus on and are not limited to democracy and human rights, terrorism, nonproliferation, climate change, and global health. Utilizing international institutions like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and other international organizations, the United States has a primary role and will need to continue to work and partner with countries across the world.
Conclusion
This upcoming presidential election is one of the most important ones in recent history not because of the candidates but because the state of our nation as we continue to fight this public health crisis. The Democratic Platform and Presidential candidate Joe Biden bring a lot of new ideas to the table with respect to American ideals. It paints a picture of what changes need to be made in addressing immediate short-term concerns with respect to long term goals. Ultimately, the Democratic Platform addresses the shortcomings of President Trump’s Administration over the last four years while providing a new platform that both Democrats, Republicans, and undecided voters can stand behind.
Despite the pandemic, major issues like climate change, infrastructure, education, foreign policy, Medicare, and other economic issues remain the heart of the platform. Small business owners have a lot to look forward to while addressing immediate challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and President Donald Trump’s response to the pandemic. The federal government will continue to play an active role in the immediate future to address these major issues and building a more levelled playing field.
In terms of foreign policy, the United States will have a new challenge in undoing Donald Trump’s isolationist policies that have weakened the United States’ position in the world. It will be up to the next generation of diplomats and officers in rebuilding those alliances and developing new avenues for cooperation in resolving issues that impact everyone. Climate change, human rights, and nonproliferation will be at the forefront of American foreign policy for years to come in addition to the global health crisis.
