Trump: Are You Better Off Today Than You Were Four Years Ago?

The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, November 1, 2020 as part of the "Raise Your Hand" column in the Insights section. This article is paired with “Biden: A Vote for Biden is a Vote for the Democracy

By: Logan Lau
Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, Class of 2022

In the 1980 presidential election, Ronald Reagan campaigned on the question, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans in 2020 would affirmatively answer that they are better off after four years of Trump’s presidency. President Trump may seem divisive, combative, and provocative, but his actions and record speak volumes about his vision, values, and policies for taking America in the right direction.

In 2020, flurried attacks and inflammatory rhetoric undermine the seriousness and sincerity with which policies are debated, leaving us skeptical of our leaders and the media. Therefore, we cannot depend on words alone, nor can we accept empty promises that have repeatedly deceived us. Actions speak louder than words, and President Trump speaks with actions. He has withdrawn our brave military men and women from the Middle East, where endless wars have cost the United States trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives. He has renegotiated unfair trade agreements like NAFTA, supporting American workers and protecting American enterprise. Prior to the pandemic, he created 6.7 millions jobs, reducing unemployment to a half-century low. While many claim Trump’s tax cuts only benefited the upper-echelon of society, recent IRS reports show that the biggest beneficiaries of these cuts were taxpayers earning $25,000 to $100,000 a year, with tax savings totaling $64 billion. In 2020, seeing is believing, and working Americans have seen tangible improvements under this administration.

Reliability and clarity must be the cornerstone of this pivotal election. When Americans vote, they should know who and what they’re supporting and have confidence that their candidate will follow through with his promises. President Trump has a clear vision and consistent record, and his policies have been front and center for four years. Trump has been transparent about what he will do, and he has largely followed through with his promises. Meanwhile, former Vice President Biden has failed to earn the trust of the American people with his oscillating positions and refusal to commit to certain policies. Biden has stated that the voters “don’t deserve” to know his positions and that you’ll find out “after the election.” He changed his mind on fracking, packing the Supreme Court, defunding the police, and more. Even if Trump’s vision doesn’t align fully with yours, Biden’s ambiguity invites unknowable consequences.

President Trump, to the surprise of both parties, has turned out to be a relatively mainstream conservative. He has bolstered the military, lowered taxes, and fought for Americans having the freedom to prosper without government interference. Trump’s policies are consistent with what Republican presidential candidates have promised for the last several decades, the only difference being his ability to fulfill his promises. Moreover, Biden has chosen not to embrace mainstream [Democratic] policies and has adopted a radical agenda. Biden endorses the Green New Deal, has remained silent about anarchy in the streets, and has flirted with the idea of court-packing. The radical wing of the Democratic party has already indicated their plans to push his policies further left. President Trump might not be the most traditional candidate, but his policies are, and his vision for the country is not revolutionary or radical, unlike his opponent’s.

In this election, American voters know that the Trump Administration has been good for our country and that his policies represent a clear vision for a better future. President Trump may not be a perfect choice, but he will keep his promises, stand for his beliefs, and continue to work for all Americans to succeed.