The 2020 presidential election is, in our opinion, easily the most contentious and important in modern history. And from the amount of votes already cast this week — 71 million, which surpasses half of the total votes in the 2016 election — we can surmise Americans want their say about the nation’s future.
The main contenders are: President Donald J. Trump, whose background before taking office was a businessman and television personality; and Joe Biden, who served as a U.S. senator from 1973 to 2009 before becoming vice-president under Barack Obama.
Our endorsement goes to Biden.
Under Trump’s brand of leadership, this nation has been subjected to the worst possible reality TV show during the past four years. We have a leader who will say anything to get his way. Many of his public statements, even during the two televised debates, are false.
When criticized by respected news organizations, Trump is quick to lash back with his tiring “fake news” rhetoric. That kind of behavior in the business world might work or perhaps not, considering the number of bankruptcies and lawsuits he has faced. Remember Trump University? And unlike other presidential candidates, Trump has chosen not to disclose his income taxes, which makes us wonder what he has to hide.
During his term, we’ve watched what damage Trump’s immigration policies has inflicted, such as the 545 children who were seized from their parents at our southern border and can’t be reunited with them. Consider his obsession with building a wall across the border with Mexico and his ban on Muslims.
Gun violence has increased. First, it was a rash of school shootings. Now, armed white supremacy groups are gaining ground.
At the first debate, Trump told one group, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.” Proud Boys member Joe Biggs responded on social media: “President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with ANTIFA … well sir! we’re ready!!” Of course, after the debate, Trump backtracked his views and condemned white supremacy, but the damage was done.
We could go on and on with the failures of this presidency, but the biggest and most far-reaching is the COVID-19 pandemic, and Trump’s inability or reluctance to take it seriously.
No, the pandemic has not gone away, as he said earlier this year. Even as Trump is said to have contracted the disease, he has not promoted safety precautions or even has a serious plan to counter surging numbers.
Trump claims the nation is rounding the corner when it comes to the virus.
Tell that to the families who have lost members to this disease, who couldn’t spend time with their elderly in nursing homes, and to the survivors who have lingering health effects. How about the struggling small business owners and those who have been forced to close?
Tell that to those who have lost their jobs and have run out of unemployment benefits. People can’t afford to pay their rent and landlords have lost income. There are so many who must depend on the generosity of others to have enough to eat. What about our schools trying to educate our children safely, and the disruption in their families’ lives?
Tell that to those who must wear masks in public and limit contact with others while encountering those people who cling to misinformation that these precautions are unnecessary or the pandemic is a hoax. And let’s not forget our health-care workers and first responders who are on the frontline.
Frankly, Trump and his administration’s lack of action has played a huge role in what has been the worst health crisis in a hundred years.
So, why does the Greenfield Recorder endorse Biden? We suspect that for many, their vote is a mandate against Trump and not inspired by an enthusiasm for Biden, who at age 78 many see as a place-holder that will steer the country in a more positive direction.
But among Biden’s qualities is his compassion, inspired likely by the deaths of his first wife and child in an accident and that of his adult son from cancer. It is interesting to note that when Trump attacks Biden’s son, Hunter, for alleged improprieties, Biden hasn’t countered with how Trump’s adult children have benefited or that the first lady and her parents are immigrants.
As vice president, Biden was in charge of the 2009 economic recovery package and helped to turn the nation around after the Great Recession the Obama administration inherited. We need that kind of experience for this country to recover from the pandemic-induced recession.
Biden has plans based on science in place to help the nation heal itself from COVID-19 and to bring stronger attention to our environment.
We applaud his choice of Sen. Kamala Harris, a Black and Asian American woman, as his vice presidential candidate.
And we commend Biden’s pledge to unite this divided country, that he wants to be president for all of its people. Our nation desperately needs that kind of commitment.
If Biden does succeed, we hope he does by a landslide, so there is no question what Americans want: a change in direction.