With Election Day less than a week away, the stakes have never been higher as Americans get ready to flock to the polling booths. According to a poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times and the University of Southern California, Hillary Clinton has a 55.2 percent lead opposed to Donald Trump’s 40.2 percent.
Each candidate has spent the last leg of campaign season traveling the country and trying to secure as many last minute votes as possible. From the Republican candidate, voters have heard what seems to be nothing but personal attacks against Hillary Clinton, inappropriate comments and statements, and the phrase “Make America Great Again.” The Democrat nominee has fought an uphill battle amidst FBI investigations, tried to gain the support of women and millennials, and constantly shut down Trump’s racially inclined and misogynistic claims.
This election may seem more like a reality TV show than a political showdown. Despite everything that has occurred over the course of the election, there is still a choice to be made next Tuesday.
If you’re heading to the polls this year, here are a few issues you should know about before voting.
Education
Clinton: The Democratic nominee hopes to create debt-free college by offering free tuition at community colleges, reduce the burden of student debt by slashing interest rates, and end sexual assault on college campuses across the country. She also plans to strengthening the public school system by reworking America’s schools,
Trump: The Republican nominee promises to work with congress to ensure that colleges are working to lower tuition and make sure that attending a higher education institution will be more accessible and more affordable. He also plans to add a federal investment of $20 billion towards school choice which would follow school children to the public or private school of their choosing.
Economy and Jobs
Clinton: She wants to make the largest infrastructure investment since the 1950’s, create a fair tax system that make sure the wealthy are doing their part, constitute paid family and medical leave for workers, and work to create good paying jobs by investing in research, technology, clean energy, and much more.
Trump: He wants to create 25 million new jobs over the course of ten years, create a pro-tax plan and a new modern regulatory framework, establish a America-First trade policy, reveal a new American energy plan, and aim to cut spending by one percent every year in what is coined the “penny plan.”
Immigration
Clinton: She promises to work on a comprehensive immigration plan within her first 100 days, encourages the humane enforcement of immigration laws,and vows to do everything in her power to protect families and keep them together. She also hopes to end the three and ten year bars which puts a time limit how long a person who attempted to enter the United States illegally must wait until being able to enter the country legally,
Trump: He promises to begin building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border with Mexico footing the cost. He has also spoken firmly about terminating President Obama’s immigration amnesties and enforcing all immigration laws. He wants to end catch-and-release which will keep anyone who attempts to cross the border detained until returned to home country and prevent visas from being issued to countries that cannot participate in adequate screening processes.
Health Care
Clinton: She will defend and expand the Affordable Care Act which is also known as Obamacare, hopes to reduce the price of prescription drugs, she wants to fight for health insurance for every American by offering incentives to states to offer Medicaid, firmly believes and defends that women have the right to free choice and reproduction rights.
Trump: He wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with Health Savings Account, work with congress to create a new health care plan that is patient-center, allow citizens to purchase health care across state lines, and fund block grants for local leaders to design their own Medicaid programs to help their low-income citizens.
No matter who you are voting for or which political party you are supporting, it is your civil duty to vote in this year’s presidential election. As young people, so many of the current issues and policy that will be enacted by the next president will have a huge impact on our generation. Despite the common misconception that your voice is too small or your vote won’t matter, it does! So go out and exercise your right to vote this Tuesday.