I am a physician; I am not a politician. However, the recent events in my country demand that I stand up and speak out.
I believe that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are dangerous Democratic candidates for the presidency and vice presidency of the United States. Gleaning their true policy beliefs is very difficult, and the two have chosen to make policy positions nearly impossible to document. She has chosen to not sit for the media for the one month since she gained the Democratic nomination.
In my opinion, four policy issues will determine the results of this election. They are the economy and inflation, border security, local and national crime, and international affairs.
1. The Economy/Inflation- What is the state of our US economy at this time? The statistics describing this complex question are multiple and often confusing. Let’s ask this practical question. In your mind, what is your experience making purchases in the grocery store, paying your bills, paying for gas, and paying your mortgage or rent? In answering these questions, my impression is one of concern with these increasing commodity prices. While the recent inflation rate is perhaps slowing, the cumulative effect of unchecked inflation over the last three and a half years is devastating.
What has the Harris/Walz ticket proposed? Researching this has been difficult and frustrating. The candidates do not give interviews; their website is devoid of details. From my gleaning, Kamala Harris has suggested the following:
a. They propose the introduction of price controls designed to curb price gouging. These have been tried numerous times, the most recent being in the 1970s Nixon administration. All attempts at price control have been abject failures, with shortages and eventual black markets and rationing.
b. Corporate Tax Rate increase from 21% to 28%. - This change would raise costs to the corporation, which would be handed down to the consumer, raising prices. More importantly, large corporations will flee the US for tax-safety countries such as Ireland, taking jobs with them.
c. Tax Unrealized Capital Gains 25-50%- These gains are paper gains of theoretical increases in accumulated wealth. They ask for payment of money that the consumer does not have. This is not a pro-economy or inflation-reducing maneuver.
d. Increase Capital Gains Taxes to 44%. Again, this is not a pro-economy or inflation-reducing maneuver.
e. 1.7 trillion dollars in increased government spending. While this includes the popular earned child tax credit, the remainder is inflationary.
2. Immigration and the Border: While she now denies the fact, Kamala Harris is the border Czarina. 10 to 20 million immigrants have illegally crossed the southern border under her watch. Through the reversal of in place executive orders and neglect, this situation is disastrous and dangerous.
3. Local and National Crime: Crime statistics are politicized and confusing. Let’s agree that there is too much crime. I am a strong advocate of the police. Harris and Walz are not. Defunding the police is in their vocabulary and is wrong.
4. International Affairs: There are two major conflicts in the world, with no end in sight. As with all these policies, the Harris and Walz campaign are silent on resolving the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts.
I know who I am voting for, and it is not the Harris and Walz ticket. Please assess these critical pieces of policy information when casting yours.
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