The 2016 presidential election will be considered both a defining moment and a turning point in United States history with future policy-making that will affect Generation Y, or Millennials, more than any other election before.
Presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s stance on issues will be landmarks in our country’s path toward the future:
Immigration stands as a pivotal issue, wherein Clinton refuses to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and conceives providing a path to citizenship for “dreamers” and others living under the threat of deportation. Trump contends building a wall along the United States—Mexico border to keep illegal immigrants out and opposes the concept of citizenship for “dreamers.”
Increased gun control, background checks, and bans on assault weapons are all measures supported by Clinton and refuted by Trump and whereas Clinton urges protecting Second Amendment rights and also taking steps to prevent gun violence, Trump places an emphasis on the constitutional right of self-defense.
Both candidates agree to prioritize the war on terrorism by supporting greater domestic surveillance to identify extremists and by working with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in the fight against the Islamic State.
In the spirit of increasing prosperity and maximizing profits, both nominees have the United States’ best interest in mind, arguing that free trade should primarily yield substantial gain and similarly opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)— a pact with aims to strengthen economic ties between 12 countries by reducing tariffs and fostering trade.
Clinton however, is an avid supporter of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a settlement in place to remove tariff barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While Clinton does not support CAFTA, an expansion of NAFTA in Central America, Trump supports neither.
On the subject of abortion, the candidates concur, supporting the practice during instances of risk, rape, or incest, and placing restrictions on late termination of pregnancies.
While Trump does not support same-sex marriage, his mantra in regards to gender-neutral bathrooms appears to be a laissez-faire approach— granting the states the right to decide as opposed to Clinton, who completely embraces LGBT rights.
Regarding energy and the environment, Clinton sought to cut energy waste, reduce American oil consumption, and generate renewable energy with measures targeted to prohibit offshore drilling. While they both support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, Trump does not believe in climate change or banning offshore drilling and fracking.
On the economy, Clinton promises to raise the federal minimum wage and deepen the tax code by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, whereas Trump places an emphasis on creating jobs and providing tax relief for middle-class Americans.
Concerning the topic of federal assistance programs, both candidates support Social Security and oppose raising the retirement age. But while Clinton supports the Affordable Care Act and hopes to expand Medicaid, Trump wishes to repeal these programs.
As for the criminal justice system, Clinton wishes to end an era of mass incarceration by reforming sentences and ending the privatization of prisons while Trump supports privatized prisons and opposes granting ex-felons the right vote— both, however, support the death penalty to an extent.
There are prospects of deportation and fears of persecution based on affiliation with sexual orientations, there are threats of terrorism and a growing gap between the rich and poor, there are environmental and gun issues and more.
These issues, all internally woven together and interconnected, prove to faze our American society today, but whichever side of the political spectrum voters lean toward on election day, November 8, 2016 will be considered a historic day for the United States.
