In honor of president's day this Monday, I wanted to dedicate a post geared towards current events rather than my normal reflective writing.
On current events, I have many, many, MANY thoughts. Seriously, I have a lot to say on the topic.
Being in my late 20s, I feel like I already have enough experience to speak on several issues.
Why I'm Qualified to Talk about This
Just for you to know - I spent a lot of time in my younger years volunteering. I was on the ground advocating for populace rights, social justice (yes I'm a social justice warrior - but like not just a keyboard one - I did things irl), and mental health. The last one is not so shocking (or as controversial) since I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology, and went on to obtain a Master's degree. Specifically, I was hoping to incorporate a lot of data and combine that with psychology to make a difference in regular people's lives. With things like mental health, it's become increasingly easier to speak about support for such initiatives.
However, in other social areas - not so much. There are a ton of issues where this country is incredibly divided. Maybe we're not so divided when it comes to common goals - however, getting there is quite the rocky road and we just can't seem to agree.
My priorities
With the above stated - there are a few priorities at the top of my list. These are the key issues I analyze in a candidate, regardless of governance level - let alone, the highest seat in the land.
- National healthcare system
- Climate change
- Public funding of elections
- Women's Rights
- Reform education system
For the people
One of the marks of a great leader is one who cares about everyone. When we think about priorities, there may be several things on the list. However, look at the list that you have and see what are wants versus needs.
Growing up in a lower-income family, from the time I was born, to the time I immigrated to the United States, I've seen a lot of people struggle for basic necessities. Due to this, I intimately understand the need for better social safety nets.
If it were up to me, I'd have healthcare for all, food for all, childcare for all, etc. I know, I know - ML - slow it down. What? Do you want to give people free ponies or something?
Healthcare for all
In recent history, healthcare for all and deeper analyses our current system of care have become increasingly popular. Due to this, it is at the top of my list because it's one of the more tangible goals.
Think about it - do you really want to worry about how you're going to pay for healthcare when you're sick? Or would you rather worry about how you're going to get better? How about when your parents or children or other loved ones are sick? Would you rather spend your time looking for a doctor who can give you and your loved ones the best chance at treatment or would you rather spend some of that time looking into which doctors are covered under your insurance? (Honestly, don't even get me started on insurance and all of the pitfalls of the current system. I can go on for days.)
When politicians speak about a national health care system, they feign concern as if the cost is too much - while having no problem pouring money (our tax dollars) into other things. However, let's look at the cost of not implementing a nationalized healthcare system.
COVID as an example
Take the recent COVID pandemic - we saw many nightmare stories around the cost of care. The government took far too long to come to an agreement on how to help citizens. After months of back and forth, there was some assistance for those who had to deal with COVID. This was, of course, the right decision. However, why is that not the norm? People didn't choose to have COVID - so the government provided some assistance, great. However, people don't choose to have cancer either. It's past time to overhaul the current system and treat all things related to health as a public health concern and threat.
Under the current system, imagine how much we spend on administrative parts of insurance - and the cost to human lives by not having a national health care system.
In this country, many people worry about the financial side of it. The people ration medication and skip doctor's appointments out of fear that they cannot afford it while politicians (hypocritically) talk about what it does to the budget. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, you deserve to have health care when you need it. End of story.
By the by - if you are interested, I wrote a little piece about whether healthcare is a right or a privilege as part of a passion project. You can read that here - I included videos and pretty graphs.
"The greatest asset of a nation is the health of its people. The medical profession can be the greatest factor for good in America. Our failures as a profession are the failures of individualism, the result of competitive medicine. It must be done by collective effort.”
William Mayo, co-founder of the mayo clinic
With that said, enjoy this clip that featured the Mayo Clinic - one of the world's best hospitals featured on The Simpsons because why not?
Climate change
Another top priority of mine is climate change. Candidates must care about climate change or I won't care about them.
One of the things I'd like to do is make a video about how climate change has already impacted my family abroad. However, due to the significance of this issue, I'd like to dedicate the necessary time to thoroughly demonstrate the impacts of climate change.
For now, it's important to note that our planet is changing. It doesn't take too much effort to look at the climate articles in recent news articles to see that this planet is still suffering.
I recommend this Climate Impact Map to see how our planet has changed. This puts global warming into a visual and easy-to-understand perspective.
Quick note: when we talk about global warming - we aren't talking about the weather exclusively. There have been politicians (I won't say who) that pointed to how cold it's gotten in winter months in the Northern states to try to discount global warming and climate change. However, that's an incorrect understanding of what the issue is. As you can see from the map above, it's talking about trends and how the world is actively warming.
Impacts
This poses a large issue for several reasons. We'll soon begin to see the following, just to name a few examples. (Please note that I'm providing several articles so that you have a good sense of this reality.)
- Mass migration due to increasingly harsh conditions.
- As glaciers begin to melt, sea levels will rise and put coastal cities at risk.
- Changes in agricultural patterns and how we are able to obtain food.
- Climate Change and Agricultural Production: An Overview of Risks and Opportunities | Ceres
- Iowa’s agriculture is losing its Goldilocks climate: Physics Today: Vol 73, No 2 (scitation.org)
- Climate Threats to Agriculture - CalCAN (calclimateag.org)
- From 2023 - and we are only in February of this month: Texas agriculture agency says climate change threatens state’s food supply | The Texas Tribune
- Increased diseases due to global warming.
As we only have one Earth - we must elect politicians who take this threat seriously. Again, regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, this is an issue where we are all screwed together if our leaders can't rise to the occasion.
Think: White Walkers from GOT - all must band together to fight climate change.
Public funding of elections
So how can we get politicians to care? What incentivizes them now?
Currently, the US political system is riddled with lobbyist money, super PACs, billionaire donors, you name it. It is rare for a politician to not accept money from super PACs and corporations. In D.C., it is common for politicians to have lavish dinners with lobbyists, etc.
Think for a second about the human element of this. I like to tell this story of my trip to California back in 2017. I went to LA for a business trip - and one of my friend's friends bought her and me a sandwich. I still think about that to this day - knowing that I need to get that person something in return. (This has been returned already, but I still think about it because I'm weird, I don't know.) However, think about that. It's a sandwich. We tend to be reciprocity-minded. If someone does something nice for us, it makes us think better of them, and if this is a repeated occurrence - no matter how small the action is, we naturally like that person more.
Imagine that, but with Congress. Lobbyists and powerful interest groups are donating big money to keep politicians they think they can sway in power. In return, the politician is going to want to do things to help those individuals who are contributing to their campaigns. Unfortunately, this makes too much sense and is entirely common.
It's to the point where politicians don't even hide this anymore because once we lower the bar for one, we lower the bar for all.
This is also what activists mean when they say that rich people have more say than the rest of us - even though, the law is one person, one vote. However, money talks and it's another way to influence the vote.
To combat this, we need someone who rises to power because of the people and for the people. Once elected, they must continue to reject big-dollar donations and money from dark-monied interests. It's what we need and what will work. In my opinion, disclosure laws can help - but they won't go far enough. We must also look at a candidate's wealth - and where they could potentially profit, because that's also an area of incentive for them - incentives that could go against doing what's beneficial for the population. (Remember when President Carter sold his peanut farm, anyone? We need that energy again.)
For further reading on this topic, I recommend this article. Otherwise, the video below shows a very basic level of campaign finance.
Impact
So why is this on my list? Well - if we can have a free and fair election without the influences of greedy lobbyists and corporations, more can be done for the populace.
Currently, the money that's being funneled into DC plays a significant role and poses a tremendous hurdle against actual progress. Not only does it prevent politicians from doing what's right for the people while in office, it also impacts who gets into office in the first place. It is too common to have a race that's influenced by big money. Oftentimes, that makes it harder for the challenger who does not already have that same name recognition. Additionally, if the challenger is not accepting donations from superPACs or other interests, there's going to be a big disadvantage in terms of available cash to spend on the race.
Women's rights
One of the biggest cases regarding women's rights in recent history has to be Roe v Wade. When it was overturned, you could really feel the impact.
There were some states where the decision went into effect immediately, while other states had a buffer. Regardless, the buffer is now over - and the reversal of the Supreme Court decision stands. It's honestly a very unfortunate decision that will put many women's lives at risk.
However, abortion rights is not an issue that impact women alone. It impacts their families as well.
Further, issues such as wage inequality, unpaid care work, domestic violence, and other inequities are all hurdles that women face.
Politicians must do a better job of ensuring a equitable playing field for all. I am tired of hearing politicians using their gender or flashing that they are for equal rights - but these words are not reflected in bills they want to pass - or actions they've taken prior to running for Congress. As with everything else, more tangible wins are a must - not just fancy buzzwords. Nice words will not get women paid the same as men for doing the same job, promote a society where more women apply for promotions at the same rate, or foster a safer and more equitable world for women. We need Presidents and politicians to deeply care about women's rights because these are human rights.
Reform education system
Finally, it's commonly understood that a better educated workforce is a more productive workforce. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the increased practice of cutting tax breaks to businesses does not work. Business tax breaks are expensive, and take money from investments in education and infrastructure that increase productivity and support growth.
Cutting taxes to capture private investment from other states is a race-to-the-bottom state economic development strategy that undermines the ability to invest in education.
Berger & Fisher, Economic Policy Institute
Yet, we have more and more politicians who are keen to cutting taxes for corporations. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of this, by the way. As opposed to passing clean bills for things such as education, these necessities keep being tacked on with other bills, such as a military spending bill.
Impact
Unfortunately, the lack of priorities in populist policies can be seen when we look at data comparing the United States to other countries.
Take for example, the PISA test scores below, which measures 15-year-old students' reading, math, and science literacy every 3 years. Several countries score better than the US.
When compared with our neighbors in the north, you can see how we compare.
According to the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), a strong teacher force has been a common element across Canada, as has a strong foundation of social supports, including health care for all Canadians funded, in large part, by the federal government. A strong focus around equity in the education system can also be attributed to stronger educational outcomes.
Don't even get me started on the college system here. People are riddled with student loan debt, and colleges keep raising tuition. This is not even touching on the cost of living to go to college.
Presidents must care about education and reform the system.
Conclusion
This post was a lot longer than I anticipated. However, I think these things needed to be said - even if I'm screaming into the ether. For now, I will continue to celebrate our Presidents when it's deserved, but for the most part, I will be celebrating Presidents Day by taking it as a rest day.