By Hadassa Ferreira, Arts & Culture Editor
Debates are crucial for voters to hear more about political candidates, mainly because it is information about themselves and their policies, rather than relying upon the media, which can be misconstrued in a variety of ways.
In current times, in which elections are so tight and both candidates have an equal chance of winning, debates might be the key factor in determining who will be the next President of the United States.
On the night of Sept. 10, 2024, the debate between the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, and the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, happened. The agenda of this debate included several matters that are crucial for the management and success of the United States, and candidates were expected to present their policies on each matter.
The debate started with a discussion of economic matters. In this matter, candidate Kamala Harris stated her socioeconomic background, as a middle-class child, to argue that she intends to support middle-class people. She also addressed taxation, stating that Donald Trump will “do what he has done before, which is to provide a tax cut for billionaires and big corporations.” She intends to have a tax plan that benefits the people and small entrepreneurs.
On the other side, former President Trump argued that the biggest economic issue the United States currently faces is the enormous number of immigrants coming from the border. According to Trump, unemployment is a result of immigration, and there are “millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums. And they’re coming in, and they’re taking jobs that are occupied right now by African Americans and Hispanics and also unions.”
Regarding taxation, he stated that Harris does not have a plan for taxation, and that his taxation plans will only negatively affect China. On the other side, Harris argues that in the past, Donald Trump has sold chips that helped China’s economy. She also states that, instead of having a taxation plan that will benefit billionaires, America should work hard and support America’s workforce to win this century’s race between the United States and China.
Regarding foreign affairs, Donald Trump stated that the United States needs a stronger president, and, that if he were in office, the issues on the global stage would have played out differently.
When expanding on how foreign affairs would be different, Donald Trump said that nations like China, North Korea, and Russia were “afraid of him” and his administration, and that they have taken these measures because of the weak Biden administration. He also argued how Kamala Harris’ administration would be dangerous for Israel, in relation to its current conflict with Hamas.
On the other side, candidate Kamala Harris stated that “Israel has a right to defend itself.” Harris believes it is crucial to find a “two-state solution.” Kamala Harris also argued that she will always give Israel the ability to defend itself; but, Gaza also deserves its self-determination and to have its state rebuilt.
Overall, several important topics were brought to the discussion, but not many policies were. Instead, viewers saw that both candidates went back and forth with the same arguments to discredit each other.
“I think both sides were not looking too great at the end of the day,” said Salvatore Polizzi, a junior majoring in political science. He added, “Both of them keep jumping in circles and not saying actual points, and I believe there are major issues in our society that they are not even discussing.”
Overall, it was an interesting night for the many Americans who watched their television screen intently, with many trying to make the important decision of whom the next President of the United States should be.
