Why I'm Voting for Joe Biden in 2020

I want to preface this by saying that the following piece is merely a reflection of my views, values, and priorities. To be frank, I probably don't care about yours, so do not take this personally as I won't either. Except maybe I will because this time it's personal. By no means do I think that any president is going to save us, but this is nothing but a game of chess: you sacrifice some to get to where you need to go. Another important thing to keep in mind is that I will be approaching this piece with a level of impartiality. I will not bother citing my sources (it was probably NPR, anyways) because this isn't high school and also it's your job as a consumer of media to do your own fact-checking. I will also take a moment to note that as of today, I am nineteen years old; there's a lot of stuff I don't know about yet. But I do know a thing or two about ethics, morality, empathy, and the dangers. Of. Corruption. And with that a non-exhaustive list of reasons why I will be voting for Joe Biden this election...

I need someone in the office who believes in science. Like actually. And if it isn't too much to ask, I'd also like someone in office who has a plan for the environment and combatting climate change.

Joe Biden plans to combat climate change by pushing the United States on a path toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an intermediate goal of ridding the power sector of carbon pollution by 2035. He aims to invest $2 trillion over four years in green areas, including infrastructure, transportation and auto industries, housing and construction practices, nature conservation efforts, and environmental justice work. Joe Biden hopes to create 1 million new jobs in the auto industry, boosting electric vehicles and build 1.5 million "sustainable homes." And if you need someone to spell it out again... He has no. Plans. To. Ban. Fracking. Instead, he proposes a more moderate step (sigh): banning new oil and gas permitting on public lands and waters. Joe Biden also addresses intersectional environmentalism and injustice. He has pledged to allocate 40% of his clean energy plan's investments toward marginalized communities most affected by pollution and climate change. He would also seek to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords (introducing common sense lol).

We need to address the systemic racism that is rooted in our democracy

Joe Biden proposed an actual plan for health, policing, affordable housing, education, and the criminal justice system. He also pledges to support minority-owned businesses by allocating 10% of the $300 billion to research and development outlined in his jobs plan (that's $30 billion btw). He also plans to invest $50 billion in venture capital for Black and brown entrepreneurs and allocate $100 billion for low-interest loans. He also seeks to provide more educational and developmental opportunities for new entrepreneurs and students. It's an investment in our youth, the future of this nation.

Healthcare

We need better public option healthcare plans and Joe Biden plans to create one that expands off the Affordable Care Act. He also aims to protect access to safe abortion, and invest $775 billion in child and eldercare, as well as decrease the price of prescription drugs.

Gun Violence

In 2005, Biden voted against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, but unfortunately gun manufacturers were able to lobby Congress and secure the passage of the act. Biden will prioritize repealing this action. He also plans to ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and pursue legislation to regulate possession of existing assault weapons under the National Firearms Act. Biden will also institute a program to buy back weapons of war currently on our streets which will give owners of assault weapons the option to either sell them to the government or register them under the National Firearms Act.

Equality for the LGBTQ+ community

Biden states that he plans to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, support LGBTQ+ youth, protect LGBTQ+ individuals from violence and work to end the epidemic of violence against the transgender community, particularly transgender women of color. He also has plans to expand access to high-quality health care for LGBTQ+ individuals, ensure fair treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in the criminal justice system, collect data necessary to fully support the LGBTQ+ community, and advance global LGBTQ+ rights and development.

He is flawed, I can't entirely agree with all his policies, I have criticisms of my own... but the bottom line is that our democracy is at stake. I am tired of being embarrassed by our president. I am tired of the memeification of the White House. I want a president whose vocabulary goes beyond the words "excellent," "big," and "huge." I want a president who knows how to spell the word "coffee." I want a president who denounces white supremacy and fights for racial equality. I want a president who doesn't mock the scientists. I want a president who carries himself with a little bit of decency and respect towards others. One that tries for compassion. One that doesn't throw temper tantrums on the internet like a child. A president who doesn't have the blood of 200,000 innocent American lives on his hands. A man that doesn't refer to neo-Nazis as "very fine people." A president that doesn't obstruct justice. A president that isn't an alleged rapist. Is that too much to ask, America? Is this what we've come to? I have to beg and plead for a candidate that doesn't make me sick to my stomach? I pray every day that the rumors are true. That my voice counts. That my vote counts. That we can do this. That we don't have to stand four more years of terror brought to us by our own Mr. President. I have seen enough, and I want better. I hope you do too. Please vote.

Love always,

Melania Zilo