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December 2021
A Word From Our Magazine Manager: With the upcoming 2022 midterm election, I will have the opportunity to vote for the first time! While I am incredibly excited to begin the political activism I have always dreamed of, I have come to realize as well that my age was not the limiting factor in getting involved. Though I have not previously had the opportunity to vote, I always had the chance to express my political voice.
To begin the journey of political activity, I have found the first step to be expanding one’s horizons with information. Having a broad range of information and sources ensures that opinions are complex and well-informed. I was lucky enough to have a politically active family with whom I could discuss my ideas, but I sought more bipartisan views than those I could hear at dinner table
conversations. My own search led me to the internet, as I am sure most of your searches have as well. Through news apps and twitter posts, I began to understand other opinions and consider perspectives I had not thought of prior. Even with my growing knowledge and awareness, I was still unsure of what concrete contributions I could make.
I soon discovered the great degrees of power which are held in the voices of the people — even those not yet old enough to vote. Especially in recent times, accountability originates in attention. Without the exposure of political action and the uproar in response, many issues and conflicts would be left unchanged. By lending our ears to some issues and our voices to others, we can change the scope of the political world as we know it. There is so much power in the simple actions of staying alert and aware of current issues, all we need to do is seek it out. The rise of social media has allowed younger generations to be intensely informed on political affairs. Though social media brings with it a host of other issues, such as group polarization and online echo chambers, it is a fantastic gateway to the world of political news. Finding more information online and joining communities that can help foster and develop my political passion has been a priceless experience. I can thank organizations like Women in Politics for the foundations of my advocacy, without which I would not be the political activist I am today.
Even before my 18th birthday, I have become more politically active than I had ever imagined I would be, in an attainable and sustainable manner. I would encourage all readers to continue their activism and be confident in the change they can inspire as they contribute to an involved and informed generation.
TABLE OF 1
Put The Ballot On Your To-Do List: Preparing For The 2022 Midterms
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BY: SHREYA RAJAPPA
3
All Eyes On US - The World’s View On American Politics
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BY: SAGE LAHMERS
Consequences of Gerrymandering
BY: HANNA MATSUKAWA
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BY: ANTONIA PAULUS
COP26- Key Takeaways
The Controversy and
One Year In: Comparing the Biden and Trump Administrations
BY: TING CUI
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Biden's Approach and Successes with Covid-19
BY: ISABELLA RINALDI
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Lobbying in the 2020 Presidential Election
BY: SUSANNAH MAYALL
PUT THE BALLOT ON YOUR TO-DO LIST: Preparing For The 2022 Midterms By: Shreya Rajappa
A year goes by fast. In less than a year -- on November 8, 2022 -- the United States Congressional election will be held, a facet of a typical midterm year. All 435 House of Representatives seats and 34 Senate seats will be up for grabs. Before you know it, it’ll be time to cast your ballot and pick the people who will make decisions for you for the next two years. You can prepare with the to-do list outlined below:
RESEARCH: Figure out what issues matter to you; what your lines in the sand are. Use non-biased news sources, such as Politico, to educate yourself on current events and their impacts on groups of people, especially marginalized communities. A few topics to get you started are climate change legislation (e.g. the Green New Deal), the criminal justice system and prison industrial complex, systemic discrimination (e.g. police brutality, bias in healthcare, housing patterns and gentrification), and immigration and the US government’s current treatment of undocumented individuals. When Studying broader topics, narrow the ones that pique passion for you. For example, start with women’s rights and focus on the Violence Against Women Act abortion rights. Forming opinions from research before hearing the arguments of candidates will help to better analyze the candidates’ platforms.
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Look up how many House seats you can vote for (they’re allocated by district) and if you have a Senate election (only 34 out of 100 seats have elections in the upcoming midterm). Determine your statewide and local election schedules for the exact primary dates. Read up on the candidate’s platform in your district, listen to their speeches, and take note of what others ( from political experts to your own neighbors) have to say about them. Have conversations with your loved ones and local strangers about candidates you support or oppose, bringing up specific details from their campaigns and possible impacts in your attempts at persuasion. If you discover candidates outside of your state and/or district who you want to support, there are many ways to boost their campaigns without voting: phone bank, donate, or volunteering, for instance. Teen Vogue highlights Charles Booker (Kentucky), Jessica Cisneros (Texas), Rana Abdelhamid (NY), Morgan Harper (Ohio), Maxwell Frost (Florida), Brittany Ramos DeBarros (NY), Imani Oakley (NJ), Malcolm Kenyatta and John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), and Mandela Barnes (Wisconsin) as candidates to take note of and follow closely until the election.
According to 270 To Win, experts project that California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, Hawaii, and Connecticut will likely vote blue; Alaska, Indiana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Idaho, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina will likely vote red; and Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia will be toss-ups. US News calls Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin the states to keep an eye on during the midterms while CNN claims Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri are the states most likely to have party flips. You could play a role in this. Every vote counts. Your vote counts. Use it.
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ALL EYES ON U.S: The World’s View On Current American Politics By: Antonia Paulus
Ever since the founding, the United States of America have strived to be “the city upon a hill” - a lighthouse in a sea of nations, an example to everyone around them. That idea still exists. It exists in the way politics are made, in the foundation of America itself. Its existence may be seen as critical, however, wherever the Star-Spangled Banner does not hang on the walls.
Early on, to no surprise, the US was not the global superpower it is today. Focusing on internal affairs and broadening the country itself, it was only in the background that the United States of America´s impact on the world grew as a result of a blossoming economy and the sheer size of the
Now if you were to ask most people around the world if they were happy with the 2020 presidential election´s results, according to a study commissioned by the European Council for Foreign Relations in late 2020, they would probably not be able to give the straightest answer. Not because they do not really care, but rather because in recent years, many of them lost trust in the US, its citizens´ voting habits and the voting system itself. But what exactly made them change their mind about the US which had been used as a precedent for so long?
country. Fast forward to today, along the way passing wars, national and international conflicts and alliances built and broken, nobody can deny that what happens in the US not only affects American citizens. No wonder that with every election, it is not only them impatiently awaiting the results.
While the thought had lingered for quite some time in relation to war or other big international problems, it was especially the result of the 2016 election that brought out discontent not only in American citizens but all around the world.
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Looking at Asia first, Donald Trump
Moving one´s view to Australia, it was
started his presidency in a country that,
especially the Covid-19 pandemic and
according to a survey done in multiple
the 2020 election that had many
asian countries in June of 2016, people
people get especially invested in
thought to have quite a positive effect
American politics due to a rising
on the area. His anti-muslim rhetoric
concern about the future of politics
(including claiming that some muslims
there. As Australia and the US are tied
celebrate 9/11, or demanding a travel
in areas like defense and economy as
ban for muslims), to name one
well, politics on either side affect the
example, however had a negative
other greatly. This worriment has
effect on Malaysia and Indonesia´s
however seemingly gotten better since
opinion of the US. Four years later, in a
Joe Biden´s inauguration, though not all
different survey, though aware of the
Australians are particularly great fans
US as a global superpower ranked
of his either.
even above China by some, Trump himself and the government beneath
Viewing the Americas, especially south
him received rather low marks in all of
of the US, approval once again
Asia, while different in every country.
decreased with Donald Trump's
These differences can be linked to his
presidency. In Mexico, for example, it
diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim
was especially his plan to build a wall
Jong Un, which about 80% of surveyed
between the two countries causing this
Japanese and South Korean citizens,
effect, though his racist takes, e.g.
but fewer than 30% of people in the
Mexico “only sending rapists” as
Philippines, Indonesia and India agreed
immigrants, also relate to it greatly. It
with. Looking at it at a rather political
was also there where the least surveyed
level now, it does seem like over the
citizens answered to have a positive
course of his presidency, many asian
view on the States in 2017. Going into
allies were particularly fond of Trump's
his presidency, Biden now had a great
rather tough approach on China,
hope lying on his shoulders. This was
fearing a nicer, but less effective
also shared by the country to the United
exchange between Biden and Beijing.
States’ North, though this relationship
It is also him who has recently received
had never really worsened too badly,
a lot of backlash for his response to the
only tainted by, for example, the
crisis in the middle east. Overall,
response to Covid-19 under Trump.
however, the current relationship seems to be a civil, though not overly positive
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one.
On the continent of Africa, the election
Though many of these rather critical
was followed closely as well. Here,
takes may seem negative, no survey
agreeing mostly with the rest of the
resulted in the doubt of the United
world, it was again Joe Biden who
States’ global power. All around the
gained the favor of the people
world, the US is considered highly
according to a survey, as a big part of
important in all areas including
Trump’s approach seemed to rather
economy, politics and life as a whole.
harm African countries. Trump calling
Although it may now have changed, the
African (and other) nations “shithole
idea of “the city upon a hill” after John
countries”, as well as complicating
Winthrop still stands, only now
trade between the two continents or,
challenged by different parts of
as stated above, issuing a muslim travel
American history. Still, the US remains
ban, left many citizens unhappy.
impactful, and almost nobody doubts
Moreover, the response to the
its power to change for the better.
pandemic was also a reason for
mistrust in this part of the world.
However, the discontent with the US is no-doubtetly also deeply rooted in the States’ history of slavery, so not
necessarily wholly tied to Trump or Biden.
Lastly, looking at Europe, it was especially the political system as a whole that another survey proved to be doubted by many. Though favoring Biden like the rest of the world, numerous people answered to see flaws in the voting system and prefer the political systems of their home country, or their participation in institutions like the EU. Still, it was apparent that many Europeans do put trust in America’s plan to solve international problems and value the States as a reliable ally.
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By: Sage Lahmers
From October 31st to November 13th, leaders worldwide met in Glasgow, UK,
including the US, Brazil, China, and
for the UN Climate Change
Russia, promised to end deforestation
Conference. 120 world leaders, 197
and degradation by 2030. This
parties, and 40,000+ people from
agreement covers 85% of the world’s
governments, civil societies, businesses,
forests. If implemented, this would be a
and organizations came together to
significant accomplishment in slowing
fight against the growing climate crisis.
global warming. However, some groups
There was some consensus that our
have criticized the agreement because
time for successful action is running
similar plans have failed in the past.
out. This article will cover the key takeaways from the event and share insight into whether the promises made in Glasgow will actually be enough to slow climate change to a reasonable level.
More than 100 countries, including the US, have signed the global methane pledge, which would cut emissions by 30% in 2030 and could reduce warming by 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2050. This is part of a push by the Biden Administration, who also announced that the EPA would limit methane from
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Leaders from over 100 countries,
about 1 million gas and oil rigs across the US.
COP 26 was unique in that it explicitly targeted fossil fuels. There was a decent consensus that speeding electric vehicle growth would be beneficial. However, there was not a consensus on how much fossil fuels needed to be cut. China and India often used weaker language, calling for a phase-down instead of a phase-out. Another controversial topic was whether to compensate developing nations for global warming-related damage that they didn’t cause. Although rich countries only account for 12% of the world population, they are responsible for 50% of the greenhouse emissions over the last 170 years.
One of the biggest complaints about COP 26 was the lack of representation. The majority of the attendees were older men, while those most passionate about climate change are often young women. To many of the older individuals at COP climate change will not affect them quite as drastically in their lifetime, so they may be less urgent in their push for slowing climate change.
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, a group of private-sector investors, launched in April with $5 trillion to "achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest." That number has moved up to $130 trillion, which would be enough for the private sector to do its part in reaching net zero. Another bit of progress was the joint agreement from the US and China, the world’s biggest polluters, to do more to cut emissions. China also promised to develop a plan to reduce methane emissions for the first time.
Experts have stated that the agreements made in Glasgow are improvements. However, successful implementation is vital . The promises made may not be quite enough to slow climate change as dramatically as we are hoping to unless nations meet some of their loftier goals.
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LOBBYING IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION By: Susannah Mayall
Election campaigns are expensive. By November 2020, both the Trump campaign and Biden campaign had raised and spent over $1 billion. Over $625 million of these funds were contributed by private companies for lobbying purposes. Lobbying is the legal attempt of businesses, groups, or charities to persuade the government to change its policies in their favor. Ingrained in U.S. politics, lobbying was highly influential in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Campaigns are largely dependent on lobbying. However, at the start of his campaign, Biden pledged to not accept donations from super PACs, and has spoken out against the heavy role lobbying has in legislation. Unfortunately, avoiding lobbyists was easier said than done. In 2019, the
Given the expensive nature of campaigns, the most effective lobbying
received over $200,000 from lobbying
method is donating hefty contributions
firms, including $6,000 from Google.
to persuade the candidate to support
Shortly after this was discovered, Biden
specific legislation in their group’s
Campaign spokesperson Matt Hill
interest. The conditional payments
promised to return it (it is unclear if
made by lobbyists are the most
they did), and claimed that Biden was
significant contributions made in
trying to "fight the influence of
elections, for politicians to publicly
corporations and special interests in
support for a cause, and, if elected,
our political system.” Nevertheless,
turn interests into legislations. Lobbyists
lobbying is still seen in Biden’s
use super political action committees
campaign in more subtle ways.
(SuperPACs) to donate to presidential campaigns because there is a $5,600
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Biden Campaign was found to have
limit on individual donations as a loophole.
Biden’s kickoff fundraiser in April 2019
The impact of lobbying, however, is a
was in association with David L.Cohen,
lot more evident in Trump’s 2020
the chief lobbyist for Comcast. Cohen
campaign. This is because, in 2017, a
went on to raise over $100,000 for the
super PAC called America First Action
Biden Campaign. In return, Biden
was established to aid Trump’s
nominated Cohen to be the US
campaign. In September 2020, over
ambassador to Canada in July 2021.
$42 million was raised for Trump’s
Moreover, Biden also has ties to the
reelection. America First Action
successful lobbying firm Ricchetti Inc.,
attempted to enhance Trump’s position
whose clients include Amazon and TC
in key states, and spent over $40
Energy. The CEO of the company, Jeff
million on advertising in Florida,
Ricchetti, is brothers with one of
Pennsylvania, North Carolina and
Biden’s advisors, Steve Ricchetti, and
Winsconsin. It is suspected to have
also has other family ties to the Biden
channeled donations from franchises
Administration. Ricchetti Inc. boomed
such as Marvel Entertainment and
in 2021, with revenue going up from
members of the Church of Scientology.
$635,000 in 2020 (pre election) to
However, the list of its donors has not
$2.4 million in 2021. Biden’s role in this
been officially disclosed. Outside of
is undisclosed; however, Ricchetti’s
America First Action, Trump received
surge in major clients is most likely
$10 million from Kelcy Warren of Energy
related to his connections in the White
Transfers. Energy Transfers owns the
House. This shows how lobbying played
Dakota Access Pipeline, which Biden
an influential role in the Biden
threatened to shut down during his
campaign because of the funding it
campaign. Whilst unsuccessful, funding
provided, despite Biden’s criticism of
Trump was an attempt to maintain the
the practice.
security of her company.
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Furthermore, an influential, honourable mention that both parties tried to please was the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The AIPAC is arguably one of the most important lobbies in US politics, and gaining their support is vital for a successful presidential campaign. Both candidates’ desires to stay in favor with the AIPAC is seen through their
In summary, lobbying has immense
interactions with the committee. Biden
power over US politics through funds
repeatedly returns to the AIPAC Policy
the regular citizen cannot compete
Conferences to reinstate his opinion,
with. The financial support from
and to avoid coming across as anti-
lobbyists for both campaigns
Israel. This is an important part of his
significantly influenced the 2020
election campaign because, if Biden
Presidential Election. Trump, whilst
was considered anti-Zionist, the AIPAC
ultimately unsuccessful, benefited
would funnel money to other
greatly from lobbying, including having
Democratic candidates, as well as
a personal super PAC set up for his re-
Trump, to ensure Biden did not end up
election, and evidence of the impact of
in office. Similarly, Trump also worked
lobbying can be seen in his term as
to prove his support by granting
President as well. Biden’s support from
policies the AIPAC advocated for
lobbying may be more subtle, but was
during his term in office. This included
still there in the form of David L.Cohen
moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem,
(and potentially Ricchetti Inc.). On a
cutting funds to Palestinians, and
shared ground, in the run up to their
pushing allies to increase the harshness
campaigns, both Biden and Trump
of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump gained
sought to win the approval of the
power in the AIPAC through actions
American Israel Public Affairs
such as these.
Committee to allow them a genuine chance at office. Overall, neither campaign would have received the publicity that it did without the financial support of lobbying companies.
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By: Hanna Matsukawa
A year after the contentious presidential
The two main types of gerrymandering are
election of 2020, it is already time to start
packing and cracking. Packing is
looking ahead to the 2022 midterm
concentrating voters of the same party in
elections. Approval ratings, voter concerns,
one district. Cracking separates voters of
and political actions are just a few, of the
similar groups into different districts. Thus,
many, factors that will affect the outcome
gerrymandering dilutes the votes of some
of the midterm elections. Another dire
and strengthens the influence of others.
determinant of the elections lies in the
Sometimes this is done to offset the power
2021 redrawing of district lines and the
imbalance of minority groups, but it is also
use of gerrymandering.
used to weaken their voice and suppress their vote.
Legislative and congressional district lines are redrawn every ten years, after the United States census. While nearly half of the states are redistricted by commissions, many states have legislative bodies redraw district lines. Gerrymandering is when legislators create electoral districts that benefit one political party over another through disproportionate representation. In 1812, under the administration of Elbridge Gerry, the governor of Massachusetts, senatorial district lines were drawn to benefit the Democratic-Republicans, and to minimize the power of the Federalists. One such district resembled a salamander. This prompted a political cartoon to call it the “Gerry-mander”, thus sealing the name for all future action.
Racial gerrymandering is a recurring issue often brought to court. The 1986 Thornburg v. Gingles case established rules for creating majority-minority districts, districts in which racial minorities are the majority. Majority-minority districts can be formed as long as the racial minority “is sufficiently numerous and compact to form a majority in a single-member district, is politically cohesive, and if the majority sufficiently votes together to defeat the minority’s preferred candidate.” Gerrymandering based on race alone has been deemed unconstitutional, and in the past decade there have been a number of court cases contesting the constitutionality of specific districts. The line between gerrymandering to suppress minorities and to increase minority representation appears thin.
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This power to shift representation has caused frequent debate. Various solutions to prevent gerrymandering have been proposed. One controversial solution is to measure the efficiency gap of districts to determine the use of gerrymandering. The efficiency gap can be measured by calculating wasted votes. Next is to “divide the net wasted voters by the total number of votes cast for that state in the specific election. The final efficiency gap measure tells if one party won a larger number of seats as compared to a neutral district plan.” Comparing the number of votes to the number of seats won can determine if
Though criticism of gerrymandering is as old as the name, legislators of both parties continue to use gerrymandering to their advantage. According to the Center for American Progress, an average of 59 seats in the House of Representatives shifted in the elections of 2012, 2014, and 2016 due to gerrymandering. Twenty of these seats shifted in favor of Democrats, while thirtynine shifted in favor of Republicans.
partisan gerrymandering was used.
Some proposed districts are drawn
Redistricting based on the 2020 census is
according to algorithms, creating districts
now underway and the tension is high.
“based on equal numbers of voters and
Already, projected wins and potential
compactness.” Some propose completely
House seats have shifted. With the United
changing the whole voting system. Another
States’ increasing political division,
solution, already in practice in many states,
partisan gerrymandering will likely affect
is the use of independent commissions;
the results of the 2022 midterm elections
theoretically, independent commissions
and the political fabric of the next ten
draw district lines without the partisan bias
years.
of state legislators. While on paper this might seem like a fair solution, critics of independent commissions argue that in practice, it is difficult to compose nonpartisan commissions.
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ONE YEAR IN:
COMPARING THE BIDEN AND TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONS By: Ting Cui
It’s been a year since Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States, defeating former President Donald Trump. Joe
Biden won the 2020 Presidential Campaign on his “electability” factor and being anti-Trump. As president, he has so far kept his promise of trying to be the opposite of his predecessor. But how do the two administration’s actions compare one year into their respective presidencies? Moreover, how do you even compare them?
To start, it is hard to compare Trump’s first term to Biden’s because the latter inherited a raging pandemic and politically polarized country. The first cases of the coronavirus were reported by the World Health Organization in early January of 2020 and has since become the worst health crisis facing the global community in more than a century. It has taken a particular toll on the United States. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic has dominated the global economy and political agendas that Biden’s presidency has had to contend with.
When Trump campaigned for President, he sold the American public on the idea that he was a successful businessman who could engineer an American resurgence. The economic policy of the Donald Trump administration was characterized by the individual and corporate tax cuts, attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, trade protectionism, immigration restriction, deregulation focused on the energy and financial sectors, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Trump’s last term, the United States economy took a hard hit from the effects of the pandemic, tasking the next president with a difficult challenge. Biden was burdened with the responsibility of managing the nation’s economic recovery after a global pandemic caused unemployment to surge to levels not seen since the great depression.
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Biden’s policies focused on relief efforts and implementing measures for economic recovery. He pursued an inclusive economic policy, in his American Rescue Plan, to help households whose livelihoods had been exacerbated by the pandemic. While Biden continues strategizing around stimulating the economy, we have no way of knowing how the Trump administration would have responded regarding stimulus.
Another major milestone of the administration’s first year was when President Biden signed the $1 trillion dollar Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into
In terms of similarities between Biden and Trump, even prior to the pandemic, both administrations have in common a focus on ‘buy American,’ with policies designed towards US procurement of US goods and services. Accordingly, multinational corporations from across the globe have stepped up their FDI to the US and bolstered their current manufacturing and employment bases, both during Trump’s presidency as well as in the initial months of the Biden administration.
law. This is a key piece of his domestic spending agenda that will funnel billions to states and local governments to upgrade outdated roads, bridges, transit systems, and more. The spending includes $400 billion on a new federal program for clean energy research and innovation, $100 billion to modernize schools, $50 billion on repairing roads, bridges, and highways in his first year in office, $20 billion on rural broadband infrastructure, and $10 billion for transit projects that serve high-poverty areas with limited transportation options. The plan will be paid for by reviewing tax cuts, reducing tax fraud, and ending subsidies for fossil fuels. Trump also sought an infrastructure bill during his presidency that he wanted included in the next congressional coronavirus relief package. However,
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Trump didn’t have a plan to pay for it and instead referenced low borrowing rates.
A lot has been said in recent months of the similarities between Trump and Biden in terms of foreign policy. In short: while it seems that the US’s rhetoric has changed under Biden, the substance has not. The trade war with China was the centerpiece of Trump's trade policy during his first term. He promised to put "America first" in all dealings with countries and penalize those the US has a high trade deficit with or he believed are unfairly taxing American companies overseas. Angering Beijing while the overburdened US healthcare system depends on China for medical supplies was a risk. Biden plans to help America's position in the global economy by investing at home in innovation and the middle classes first. He promises to do this before entering any new trade agreements. He also says the best way to confront China on intellectual property and technology transfers is by forming a coalition with allies and partners, not through unilateral tariffs. Although the tone might be less inflammatory, the Biden administration has clearly continued a policy of suspicion over China, and continues to voice concern over the ‘imbalanced’ economic relationship between the two countries.
There are a number of policy differences between these two administrations, but their stances are more similar than the media portrays. It is the stark personality and deliverance of these messages that is different. Overall, the Biden administration has done a fair job of managing the effects of the pandemic it inherited while moving forward on its policies agendas such as the infrastructure bill and social spending bill it hopes to pass. The next thing to look at is how Biden’s prospects in Congress will change after next year’s midterms and whether or not Democrats will hold control. If they lose the majority, the chances of Biden passing his intended legislation will become slim.
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BIDEN'S APPROACH AND SUCCESSES WITH COVID-19 By: Isabella Rinaldi
Upon entering the White House as our President, one of Joe Biden’s main campaign promises was to get the Coronavirus under control. This was a key factor for voters when deciding to vote for Donald Trump or Biden in the 2020 election. Trump’s approach to tackling Covid during his presidency really had no approach at all significantly worsening many aspects of our economy and society, as well as nationwide health. But Biden did have a plan - he aimed to hit a goal of 200 million vaccine doses administered within his first 100 days as president, He also promised a hefty goal to get 70% of U.S. adults vaccinated by July 4th.
This goal was largely missed, but subsequently reached in August. The Delta variant had threatened COVID-19 progress, and the fears from this variant had only worsened by majority red states who had less strict mask and vaccine mandates. A USA TODAY/Ipsos poll found that 61% of the people want to get vaccinated or are vaccinated for the common good, while 39% do not want to or do not think it should be forced due to “personal liberty”. This majority view is not too popular, however, nearly 1 in 5 people say they hadn't gotten a COVID-19 shot and don't plan to anytime soon. Consequently, in lower vaccinated communities, an influx in Covid cases and deaths increased. In September, seeing the dire need for more vaccinations, Biden unveiled a six-part plan requiring vaccinations for nearly 100 million Americans. This plan includes those working in the private-sector, federal gov, health facilities, and schools.
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From the beginning of his campaign, Biden emphasized the need for mask mandates in our country considering the influx of Covid cases. While Biden has worked closely with governors to carry this out, many states such as Florida, Arizona, and Texas have either gotten rid of the mask mandate or never implemented it in the first place. Despite this, Biden has signed executive orders to require masks on federal grounds and transportation- this order being extended until next year.
Although it may seem as thought the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic are perpetual, we have seen significant improvement. 60% of the US population has been fully vaccinated, Covid death rates have significantly disagrated since influx in vaccination rates, vaccinations have been made available for children 5-12 booster shots have made Americans even more resistant to the spread of Covid, and according to the CDC, the country is in a far better position regarding vaccination data on breakthroughs and boosters. . However, there is still much work to be done, and especially as we approach the holiday season it is crucial to stay safe and make smart choices to protect ourselves. We can appreciate the changes and progress we’ve already made to help protect our communities, loved ones, and nation, even if they are incremental.
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Founder and Co-Exec. Director
Rebecca Joseph
Walnut Creek, CA | 16 years old My name is Rebecca Joseph and I am a high school sophomore from the Bay Area. I got interested in politics during my first year of high school where I joined the Speech and Debate team. From there I fell in love with the world of politics but soon became aware of the lack of representation women were getting in the field. I wanted to be part of a community of teens who want to support each other and the younger generation to pursue a career in politics; however, I was unable to find anything, so I started Women In Politics. Now, over a year later I have been blessed with an amazing team and I cannot wait for all we are going to accomplish.
Please enjoy this issue!
Co-Exec. Director Katherine Bronov
Philadelphia, PA | 18 years old My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been passionate about politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye. WIP is a very special organization and fascinatingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this team and work alongside girls that are just as enthusiastic about politics as I am and recognize the shortage of women in this important field. Please enjoy this issue!
Christine Corry
Sacramento, CA | 17 years old
WRITERS
Magazine Manager
Writing Leader San Francisco, CA | 15 years old
Lily Veits | Annalese Cahill| Veronica Rohling | Isabella Rinaldi | Sara Keegan
Editor Leader
Cedar Roach
EDITORS
Isabella Rinaldi
Dallas, TX | 18 years old
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Sara Keegan
New York, NY | 17 years old
Rachel Baumann | Katherine B
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Maci DemMott | Oliva Massey | Ella Grady | Kaylyn Allingham | Lior Cooper | Lila Rowland | Lily Sun | Bella Jasper
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