**Kamala Harris: Rethinking Policies Right Before the Debate**
In a surprise move that nobody saw coming—especially not on a weekend—Kamala Harris decided to finally unveil her policy agenda on her website, “A New Way Forward.” It seems interesting timing considering that the first presidential debate is just around the corner. One can’t help but wonder if she just woke up one day and thought, “Why not put some ideas online?” Well, it has been four years, but is this really the best we can expect? The question remains, why wait until now to spell things out when, presumably, she has an office to work from?
There is an almost comical irony in the fact that some of her policies sound eerily similar to those championed by former President Donald Trump. A peculiarity indeed, especially with Trump’s no-tax policy on chips finding a cozy home on her issues page. Her first item is tax cuts for the middle class, yet she also pledges to repeal Trump-era tax cuts—which, surprise surprise, included tax reductions for the very middle class she now claims to care about. Then there’s the peculiar nature of taxes under the Biden administration: despite promises that those earning under $400,000 wouldn’t see new taxes, Americans have been hit with ever-increasing tax rates. It leaves one wondering just how much of a tax break there really is for anyone these days. Throw in some inflation along the way, and one can only shake their head in disbelief.
Another eyebrow-raising point in her plan focuses on making home ownership more achievable. The idea of providing first-time homebuyers with a $25,000 down payment sounds appealing, yet behind the curtain of this offering lurks a directive for banks to make riskier loans. This all feels suspiciously like the policies that led to the 2008 financial crisis. Much like that old, dusty phone call from 2008 asking for its policies back, taxpayers might just be shaking their heads at the memories of a previous financial disaster.
And then there’s Harris’s big talk about growing small businesses. Now, one has to wonder if the Vice President has ever seen a cactus try to thrive in a bathroom. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t get very far. After all, Harris has never held any role in the private sector where she could claim any job creation experience whatsoever. Her ambition of 25 million new business applications by the end of her first term sounds great, but one must ponder where those businesses will come from after her party did everything within its power to shut down countless small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As one scours through her policy proposals, yet another point stands out: her ambition to tackle corporate wrongdoing and lower costs. At first glance, the plan seems sensible, but the reality is far less rosy. Attempts to impose price controls could lead to higher prices for everyone, likely benefiting big-box stores while leaving small businesses in despair. It raises a classic question: does she really understand how capitalism works, or is she just tossing around buzzwords without any real comprehension?
Rounding out her proposals, Harris brought up the hot-button issue of healthcare. However, her past attempts to maintain Obamacare resulted in soaring healthcare costs for everyday Americans. The notion that healthcare is a right—wonderful in theory—effectively puts the onus on hard-working doctors to perform their duties for little to no compensation. Meanwhile, hospitals might face the brunt if her plan involving undocumented immigrants draws millions of new patients needing care. Ultimately, one has to question where the logic lies.
Among other things, her stance on immigration has raised more than a few eyebrows. While extending temporary protected status to Haitian migrants may seem compassionate, it also invites a host of societal challenges, notably a rise in crime. Take a moment and consider the kind of environment this creates. Friends, neighbors, and families may find themselves living in fear, and the lack of attention to veterans’ issues until the very end of her policy list further emphasizes her top-down approach to governance.
Kamala Harris has undoubtedly thrown a whirlwind of thoughts and policies onto her website, but all of it shines through as a desperate attempt to align herself with current political trends. Voters should clearly note the disconnect between her lofty ideas and their real-life implications. As the first debate looms, it would be wise to carefully consider how these policies align with the values of everyday Americans. The clock is ticking, and with every tick, voters will be analyzing just how much they can expect from “A New Way Forward.”
