In-Decision 2024 – Presidential Election 2024

Today, my cat was telling me to start writing again.  So, to shut him up; I’m stealing the name of a segment from the “Daily Show,” as I’m sure you’re aware, it sums up this year’s election cycle quite nicely.

As you all know, one of the primary purposes of this website is to allow me to process information and to help me in arriving at a thoughtful decision.  What are my political leanings?  I’m fiscally conservative, and socially liberal.  In short, Gov’t shouldn’t be too involved in my life, and I expect the government to be fiscally responsible with the money and treasure from its citizenry.

This year, we have three main contestants.

1. Chase Oliver & the Libertarian Platform.  I generally like the Libertarian Party, but there are a couple of things that don’t align with my views.
2. Kamala Harris & the Democratic Platform.  I generally like the idea of the Democratic Party, and I like the platform; but their representatives fail miserably in the follow-through.
3. Donald Trump & the Republican Platform.  I very much agree with traditional Republican values, but today’s Republican party does not reflect those same values, and is more of a cult. The time of the “shining city on a hill” have passed.

There are several articles on the web comparing various policies.  I’m going to focus on my top five, which are MY primary issues:

Taxes:

1. The Libertarian view on taxes: the government forcing people to pay taxes is wrong, and advocate in eliminating them whenever possible.  My Question: How do we pay for our government workforce and programs?
2. The Democratic view on taxes: the wealthiest citizens and corporations should pay their fair share.  The plan is to increase the corporate tax rate from 21 to 28% while giving more tax relief to families with small children.
3. The Republican view on taxes: the citizens and corporations should keep more of their money, which would then flow into the economy.  The plan is to reduce the corporate tax rate from21 to 17%, and extend his tax cuts which are set to expire shortly.

Crime:

1. The Libertarian view on crime: Libertarians believe that there are far too many things, which are currently considered crimes, should not be.  
2. The Democratic view on crime: Democrats believe banning assault weapons, banning high-capacity magazines, requiring background checks, and supporting red-flag laws are the ticket.  I’m not convinced.
3. The Republican view on crime: Republicans believe more Police are the answer.  One glaring issue; most urban areas are already critically undermanned.

Immigration:

1. The Libertarian view on Immigration:   Libertarians believe in freedom of movement.  The support the blocking of criminals and other violent actors.
2. The Democratic view on Immigration:   Democrats believe that limiting the number of asylum claims, passing the bipartisan border security bill that Trump squashed, and continuing to build “the wall” on the border will solve the issue.  It won’t.
3. The Republican view on Immigration:   Republicans believe keeping the asylum seekers in Mexico, continuing to build “the wall” and mass deportations are the answer.  They aren’t the answer. 

Healthcare:

1. The Libertarian view on healthcare:   Libertarians promise to remove government interference to promote free markets.
2. The Democratic view on healthcare:  Democrats promise to lower drug prices and provide medical debt forgiveness.
3. The Republican view on healthcare:   Republicans promise to increase competition.

Foreign Policy:

1. The Libertarian view on Foreign Policy:   Libertarians promise to focus more on finding peaceful resolutions, and removing bases abroad.
2. The Democratic view on Foreign Policy:  Democrats promise to keep a strong defense and support our allies abroad.  Key support for Ukraine and Isreal.
3. The Republican view on Foreign Policy:   Republicans promise to keep a strong defense and keep America out of unnecessary foreign wars.  If history is any judge, they would abandon Ukraine.  When he was last president, he was played by Putin like a fiddle.

How do these points fit with my values?

1. Fiscally conservative: None of the above.  When it comes to the budget, both the Democrats and Republicans are wings of the same bird.  And the complete lack of a plan from the Libertarian party rules them out to.  No winner here.  The last true balanced budget our country has had, was under the Clinton administration.  To add injury to insult, in only 4 of the past 40 years has congress passed a budget on time.  Yes; a democratic administration, which had a surplus to boot!
2. Socially Liberal: Well, the Libertarians win this one hand down as they are all about personal liberty and self-ownership; and all that comes with those decisions.

The Results?  It comes down to between the Democratic and Libertarian Candidates this year, and I’m leaning heavily towards the Democrat.  I have written many articles on my view of Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections.  I shall not revisit them here.

My Sources:

What are Harris and Trump’s policies? (bbc.com)

Comparing Harris and Trump’s Policies on 7 Key Issues – Newsweek