For the majority of Penn undergraduate students, this upcoming presidential election is the first one in which they’ll be eligible to vote. We didn’t have a say in electing Donald Trump eight years ago, but we dealt — and grew up — with the consequences of his policies.
With the dire threat of another Trump presidency, the nation needs Vice President Kamala Harris. That is why The Daily Pennsylvanian Editorial Board is endorsing Harris for president.
Harris offers a vision of stability and opportunity for all Americans, and her proposed policies reflect that commitment. Her economic plan to lower costs for middle-class families will remove barriers to access of everyday necessities, like healthcare, housing, and groceries. She promises to prioritize workers and small business owners in the interest of creating jobs, revitalizing communities, and propelling innovation.
In stark contrast, Trump’s economic agenda includes extending tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy and imposing tariffs that place the burden of higher prices on American consumers. As many Penn students prepare to join the labor force after graduation, issues like the rising cost of living, inflation, and student loan repayment are top of mind. Trump’s fiscal policies threaten financial security and access to opportunities, for us and our fellow Americans.
Beyond the economy, Americans’ fundamental freedoms are also on the line. Trump praises himself for picking the United States Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, which caused millions of women to lose their right to an abortion and to make decisions about their own bodies. Harris’ promise to sign a federal law restoring our reproductive freedoms demonstrates her commitment to defending our constitutional rights as president.
Her policies not only align with the issues young voters care about most, as reflected in a recent survey of over 900 Penn undergraduates conducted by the DP, but they cater to what the United States needs right now.
However, mere days away from the election, the assurance of a Harris presidency has yet to materialize. National polls show a neck-and-neck race to the finish, tied at 48% between Harris and Trump. The Editorial Board recognizes that some voters are still not thrilled or convinced by all of Harris’ stances, but in this election, we are faced with more than a decision about policies. For the alternative candidate, acting in self-interest is all that he cares about.
Trump cannot be persuaded away from his bigoted and authoritarian tendencies, which have prompted bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio and an insurrection in our Capitol building. In May, he was convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The rhetoric of his campaign is defined by hate and prejudice against marginalized communities. Just this Sunday, speakers at a Trump rally in New York City exemplified the messaging of his political movement: racist comments, later labeled as “jokes,” targeting groups across various races, ethnicities and religions. This constant divisiveness and intolerance is unacceptable.
By contrast, Harris has demonstrated empathy and a humanity that is embodied by her middle-class upbringing with immigrant parents who fought for fundamental freedoms. She is the choice who will protect American democracy rather than gamble with it. A vote for her is a vote for leadership rooted in integrity.
In this pivotal election, let’s also not lose sight of the privilege of being in a state where our vote truly matters. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are at the forefront of the national stage. In just the past week — and not to mention throughout the entire semester — political campaign activity and celebrity appearances on campus have been rampant. The gravity of this situation is palpable and remarkably undeniable. We, the students of Penn, have the power to meet this moment on Nov. 5.
As the newest group of voters in the United States, we now have the chance to prevent an outcome we couldn’t control in 2016. Let’s make the right choice, Penn.
Editorials represent the majority view of members of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc. Editorial Board, which meets regularly to discuss issues relevant to Penn's campus. Participants in these meetings are not involved in the reporting of articles on related topics. Reach us at edboardchair@dailypennsylvanian.com.
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