Examining the issues: How each candidate would run the country

Stuart Kusdono and Noor Naji

Most believe that a Hillary Clinton presidency will only be historic because of her role as the first female president of the United States. They haven’t thought beyond that. Here are a few changes that would occur if Clinton becomes president.

Foreign Policy: Considered more experienced for the job than any other candidate in history, Clinton would probably follow up with her three-step plan to defeat ISIS, unlike her opponent’s “secret” and nonexistent plan. She plans to defeat ISIS’s stronghold in Iraq and Syria, dismantle terrorist networks with the help of foreign allies such as the Middle-Eastern countries, and then work at home to spot and stop domestic terrorists.

Immigration: Clinton has pledged that she will further immigration reform during her first 100 days in office. She would extend and add upon President Obama’s immigration plan, which includes a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants living in the U.S. Moreover, she would also revive Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability  programs, which have been previously deadlocked by the Supreme Court.

Social Reform: Clinton plans to finally equalize the pay gap between men and women. Perhaps she will finally enforce paid family and 12-week medical leave. However, with a Republican Congress, it will be almost impossible for Clinton to achieve any of her promised goals–she may end up with nothing passed. Also, she had said that she would continue the ObamaCare Medicaid Expansion if she were to be president. Another aspect that will be resolved during Clinton’s first few months as president is the vacancy in the Supreme Court. Republicans stated  that Obama should not fill in the Supreme Court Justice vacancy following Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, although it is permitted by the Constitution. Rather, they believe it should be the next president who does so instead of Obama. However, if Clinton becomes president, Republicans would have no other choice but to choose one of Clinton’s recommended people to fill the spot.


 

Trump has thus far proposed solutions deemed radical by many, including  those in his own political party. Should Trump win the presidency, here’s what proposals might be passed.

Foreign Policy: As Commander-in-Chief, the president is given much power in terms of foreign policy. One of Trump’s main focus in his campaign is the  fight against ISIS. Trump plans to send thousands of troops into ISIS-controlled territory and taking over. Trump indeed has the power to send troops without congressional approval as long as he doesn’t declare war.

Immigration: The possibility of Trump passing a bill for a wall between Mexico and the United States is extremely unlikely. Although the Republican platform wishes to enforce border control and security, it does not wish for a literal wall to be built. The cost of the wall, including the construction and the labor of maintaining security across such a long border, is hefty and would require a very lengthy and difficult process in Congress to pass such a significant bill. Concerning the topic of illegal immigrants, Trump’s proposed bills of deportation are unlikely to be passed. Like the wall, his bill is unfeasible and thus won’t be approved by Congress.

Social Reform: Should Trump be president and Congress remain Republican-dominated, Obamacare will most definitely end. Both Trump and the Republican Party wish to repeal Obamacare and have repeatedly stated that it will be repealed on Day One of a Trump presidency. As for a replacement, however, there is no clear plan offered by Trump. In regards to Medicare and Social Security, the Republican party wishes to have major reform, but Trump is rather neutral in this position, not wanting to make changes to either program. As such, social reform is not likely under a Trump presidency.