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Build Back Better or Make America Great Again: The Blue and Red Plans for the American Economy By Gregory Aderhold Edited by Hannah Rogers The party platforms provided by the two major political parties in the United States rival in many key regards. The first difference is that the Republican party is reusing a political platform from 2016 and making brief campaign statements for 2020. The second is that Democrats are taking the coronavirus economic devastation as an opportunity for “rebuilding the American middle class for the 21st century, making sure that this time everyone can make it and thrive, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, national origin, age, or ZIP code.” 66 On trade, housing, and reducing poverty, the parties have rivaling policies that should be analyzed for comprehension of the U.S. election. On trade, there is a shared political revulsion to mainland China. The opaque view of China as an economic threat is stated in the democratic platform, “Democrats will take aggressive action against China or any other country that tries to undercut American manufacturing by manipulating their currencies and maintaining a misaligned exchange rate with the dollar...or providing unfair subsidies.” 67 This aggressive view towards trade with China mirrors the President’s. Despite Democratic criticism of President Trump’s competition with China, Democrats propose economic competition. The 2016 Republican party platform takes aim at current trade deals with mainland China as it states, “we cannot allow foreign governments to limit American access to their markets while stealing our designs, patents, brands, know-how, and technology. We cannot allow China to continue its currency manipulation…and subsidization of Chinese companies to thwart American imports.” 68 In a presidential campaign document, the president promises to “Bring Back 1 Million Manufacturing Jobs from China.” 69 Both parties promise extensive measures to populists demands, swing voters, industrial production, and the theoretical Chinese threat. On housing, both parties promise to restore the American dream of home ownership. Republicans seek to reduce “the federal role in the housing market, promote responsibility on the part of borrowers and lenders, and avoid future taxpayer bailouts. Democratic Platform Committee, 2020. “Building a Stronger, Fairer Economy.” Democrats. Accessed October 18, 2020. 66
Ibid. Fallin, Mary, John Barrasso, and Virginia Foxx. 2020. Republican Platform 2016. Ebook. Charlotte North Carolina: Republican National Convention, 2. 67 68
“Trump Campaign Announces President Trump's 2nd Term Agenda: Fighting for You!” Trump Campaign Announces President Trump's 2nd Term Agenda: Fighting for You! | Donald J. Trump for President, August 23, 2020. 69
