BOXING MATCH OR CIRCUS: In the ring with Election 2016

The election of 2016 is one for the history books. One candidate has no political experience and the other is trying to break through the glass ceiling to become the first female president. The election has been one of name calling and political firsts.

“In years past, everyone who has run for president has been a polished politician,” government teacher Tanner Moore said. “Donald Trump is not a politician at all. It makes it interesting because he just brings a different dynamic to the election.”

The Republican Candidate

The Republican party was so fragmented at its national convention that it could not rally around its candidate, businessman and reality star Donald Trump.

Trump became the first presidential candidate in 40 years not to release his tax returns. He told The Washington Post that the 12,000 page document would be distracting to the public. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., said that releasing the returns would take the attention off of his father’s main message.

The Democratic Candidate

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is a polished politician having served as not only first lady and senator, but also secretary of state. She came into the campaign under a Benghazi cloud and has been dogged by Wikileaked emails.

The Stunts

Trump brought former President Bill Clinton’s sexual accusers and President Barack Obama’s Muslim estranged half brother Malik Obama to the debates.

Clinton used Trump’s own words in a series of election campaign ads across the country.

The Name Calling

The candidates have exchanged many verbal barbs like Clinton’s use of “basket of deplorables” to describe Trump supporters and Trump’s interruption to Clinton’s debate answer calling her “such a nasty woman”.

The Accusations

Trump supporters claim that Clinton should be in jail based upon the theory that using a private email server as Secretary of State was an obstruction of justice.

Clinton supporters feel that Trump has little respect for women based upon his behavior and the accusations by now 14 women who claim misconduct by Trump.

Challenges to Democracy

Trump said he would keep America “in suspense” about whether he would accept the outcome of the election. This answer, given in the third debate, caused an uproar as claims of the end of democracy whipped through the country since American democracy has always seen a peaceful tranfer of power.

Last week, when FBI Director James Comey issued a letter indicating more emails were being investigated, Clinton supporters brought up the Hatch Law which prevents government employees from influencing or interfering with elections. Clinton would also change gun laws related to the Second Amendment.

Major Changes

Trump, unhappy with media coverage of his campaign, has vowed to lessen the power of the First Amendment if elected. Trump also wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade and abolish Obamacare in addition to deporting 11 million immigrants and build a border wall along the Mexican border. Clinton would put stricter immigration checks in place as well as strengthening gun laws and close the loopholes involving background checks.

The Money

The national debt is a serious topic with the presidential candidates. Clinton’s plans could add $200 billion to the national debt. Trump’s plans could add $5.3 trillion. With Clinton’s plans, the debt would be 86 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. With Trump’s plans, the debt would be 105 percent of the GDP. It hasn’t been that high since World War II.

With their healthcare plans, Clinton would add $200 billion more than Trump’s. Both candidates would make changes to Obamacare, but Trump would also stop Medicaid. With immigration and other spending, Clinton’s higher education, immigration reforms, and infrastructure investments would add $1.45 trillion in new debt. Trump’s ‘penny plan’ and defense and veterans spending would add $50 billion in new debt. The penny plan would cut spending by one percent every year. In theory, it would cut out a lot of money from the national debt, but his other statements about spending show that he would not actually be able to accomplish that. The estimated cost for the wall that Trump proposes to build would cost $15 to $25 billion and increasing the staff would cost $110 billion over five years.

With Clinton’s tax policy, there would be $1.55 trillion in new revenue. She would pose higher taxes on the wealthy and that money would fund her new projects. Trump’s tax policy would cut taxes on businesses and on the wealthy, adding $4.5 trillion to the national debt.

Endorsements

Trump has been endorsed by only six notable newspapers to date across the country.

Clinton has been endorsed by over 80 newspapers to date nationwide.

Election Rigging

Trump says the election is rigged and that if he loses he will challenge the results. His campaign has encouraged poll watchers.

Clinton refuted Trump’s claim, calling it “appalling” and “denigrating to democracy”.

The Criticism

Most of the criticism of Clinton comes from the belief that the deleting of emails from her private server was illegal and over her involvement in Benghazi.

Trump, on the other hand has been criticized for his treatment of women, Muslims, Mexicans and African Americans.

The Reality

Texas hasn’t voted for a Democrat in 36 years. Texas is an important state for presidential candidates to win because they have 38 electoral college votes. Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Utah combined have 38 electoral college votes. Recent polls have shown that Texas is now a swing state. There is a chance that Clinton could win Texas. A record number of Texas residents have registered to vote this year, with the number exceeding 15 million.

Fact Checking

In no other election have fact checkers been so busy. According to Politifacts, this year’s candidates have been the most dishonest in the past three elections. All of the facts have been checked at least 25 times. As of July, Clinton is the most truthful candidate. Her statements that have been true or mostly true while campaigning are 52.94 percent.

Trump’s statements that have been true or mostly true while campaigning are 14.73 percent. Clinton’s half truths were 20.58 percent. Trump’s half truths were 14.73 percent. Twenty-five percent of Clinton’s statements have been mostly false or false, while 53.67 percent of Trump’s statements have been mostly false or false. Only 1.47 percent of Clinton’s statements and 16.84 percent of Trump’s statements have been classified as “pants on fire” lies.

Effects of 2016 Election

This election has divided and alienated voters.

“It feels like people right now are not really passionate about either of the candidates,” Moore said. “They aren’t really pro-Trump, they are anti-Clinton and vice versa. It is unique because in the past, there was serious pro-Obama. That makes this election different because there’s a lot more anti than there is pro.”