The 2024 Election is almost here. These have been a couple of very challenging years. The field has narrowed to two candidates: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While most people have likely decided who to vote for, many are undecided. Let’s examine where each candidate stands and how their positions relate to our Catholic faith.
Donald Trump – Republican Nominee in the 2024 Election
Former President Donald Trump is the Republican nominee in the 2024 election. He is a polarizing figure in American politics and has been since announcing his candidacy for the 2016 election. Trump is a former Democrat from New York who is running as a Republican once again. Trump has been clear about his priorities and policies, so his positions are precise. Trump’s behavior is a significant source of contention within and outside the party. At times, his childish behavior has turned off many on both sides, but he has retained a solid base and grew it this election cycle.
Trump’s central positions in the 2024 election:
- Immigration: In his first term, he was very successful but was criticized for “lack of compassion” and “separating children” at the border. Trump’s policies have been condemned by the Pope and some prominent Catholic clergy, but the policies today put Americans at risk and need to be tightened up. Trump has committed to deporting illegal criminals who entered the country under Biden/Harris. Sanctuary cities may be eliminated if Trump can get the votes he needs. Jesus asks us to care for each other, ensuring people are safe.
- Economy: Until the pandemic, Trump had one of America’s most robust economies. The most significant benefit was from drilling and selling our oil. Trump’s tax cuts sparked economic growth in his first term. As Catholics, we want to be able to provide for the poor, and he had success in getting people above the poverty line in his first term. Trump has committed to driving down inflation. He has proposed additional tax cuts for the middle class with no tax on tips, overtime, or social security. He has vowed to protect Medicare and Social Security with no change to retirement age. His agenda does not explicitly call out healthcare.
- Foreign Policy: Trump ascribes to the “peace through strength” approach, which has resulted in peace worldwide, including the Abraham Accords in the Middle East. Trump has committed to ending the Ukraine War as a priority. Jesus preaches peace, and no wars were started during Trump’s first term.
- Climate Change: Trump has made it clear that he considers climate change a hoax. If he is elected, the current push to stop using fossil fuels and move to electronic vehicles will be reversed. Trump has already committed to canceling electric vehicle mandates. As Catholics, we are stewards of the environment God has given us. We should each do our share to protect it.
- Abortion: Trump’s position has softened on abortion. He now seems to be open to exceptions to abortion, and he supports IVF. Both of these positions go against Catholic Church teaching.
- Crime – In 2016, Trump campaigned as the “law and order” candidate, and crime went down until the BLM riots in 2020. For 2024, Trump is focused on deporting illegal criminals, eliminating sanctuary cities, and working to reverse policies that continually put violent criminals on the streets. It is for the common good that people who commit crimes are arrested, prosecuted, and punished for their crimes.
Trump’s website lists other positions for the country. These are the most important from a faith perspective.
Kamala Harris – Democratic Nominee in the 2024 Election
Vice President Harris became the nominee after President Biden dropped out of the race in July. Many say she was “hand-picked” for the role because of her gender and race. Many Democrats were upset that there weren’t any additional primaries to vote on her selection. Harris has not been as clear as Trump about her priorities and policies. Let’s take a look.
Harris’s central positions in the 2024 election:
- Economy: Harris preaches about building an “Opportunity Economy” that works for everyone and lowers family costs. This plan includes investing in small businesses to create 25 million new businesses and revitalize American manufacturing; she plans to strengthen our industrial base and invest in cutting-edge technologies. Harris wants to cut taxes on the middle class and raise taxes on the “1%.” She intends to expand the child tax credit up to $3,600 and a new $6,000 tax cut to help families in the first year of life for newborns. Harris wants to lower food and grocery prices. She believes the large drivers of the higher costs are weak supply chains, lack of competition, and corporate greed. To help lower costs, she plans to invest in these areas and review mergers and acquisitions more closely. She plans to institute a federal ban on price gouging. As Catholics, we want to be able to care for the poor and take care of those who struggle.
- Healthcare: Harris believes healthcare is a right and intends to lower costs by making existing tax credits permanent. She plans to increase competition and strengthen healthcare for veterans. She also plans to lower prescription drug costs by expanding the “Inflation Reduction Act” tax benefits and expanding negotiations for Medicare prices. Expanding healthcare benefits and reducing prices are part of caring for each other.
- Immigration: Harris plans to sign Senate bill S.2824 to make the bill law. This will add some security tools, but the resources focus on quickly processing migrants as they enter the country. The Senate bill allows the President to close the border at their discretion. There are questions about vetting and the abandonment/restructuring of the existing immigration policy. Jesus asks us to care for our brothers and sisters. There must be a focus on drawing the line between accepting asylum seekers and people who intend to harm our people or our country.
- Climate Change: Harris strongly supports the climate change agenda. She will continue to advocate for using fewer fossil fuels and more electricity as a primary energy source. Expect continued investments in renewable energy. As Catholics, we are stewards of the environment God has given us. We should each do our share to protect it.
- Abortion – Harris is all in on abortion and wants to codify abortion in the US Constitution. Her position goes completely against Catholic Church teaching.
- Crime – Democrats claim crime has decreased in the past 2 years. Cashless bail has put many violent criminals back on the street, and combined with liberal DAs not prosecuting some violent crimes; large cities are struggling. When you add in migrant criminals, several large cities are not safe. Harris has not detailed any plans to address crime. It is for the common good that people who commit crimes are arrested, prosecuted, and punished for their crimes.
Harris has an extensive document outlining her plans, but these are the most prominent regarding faith. She does not explicitly mention foreign policy.
Next Step:
Basically, it’s up to you. Both candidates support some positions that are contrary to Church teaching. We have a unique situation where both candidates have a history in office, with Trump as the former president and Harris as the current VP. This history can be an essential part of the decision-making process. As Catholics, we need to understand the differences between the candidates, where each candidate counters Church teaching, pray over the situation and your feelings towards each candidate, and make a decision. Choose wisely in the voting booth. Please let me know what you think about this article, and your opinions on the candidates. All comments are welcome and encouraged.
God Bless
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