TL/DR –
The article discusses the political rhetoric and promises made by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in their respective campaigns. It criticizes both for their failure to live up to Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to “drain the swamp,” referring to the systemic corruption, entrenched interests, and special privileges given to well-connected companies in Washington, D.C. The author argues that instead of limiting government interference in private businesses, both candidates are promising more handouts, subsidies, and tax breaks to selected constituencies, which would only contribute to the problem, and that their proposed punishments for those they blame for America’s problems are misguided.
Trump and Harris Fail to Deliver on “Drain the Swamp” Promise
Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C. resonated with millions of Americans distanced from their government and disgruntled with political favors. Despite this, both the Trump and Harris campaigns now indicate their intention to attract more citizens into the alleged swamp.
The “drain the swamp” slogan was originally a pledge to eliminate established interests, self-serving practices, and corruption present in our nation’s capital. These actions lead to subsidies, tax breaks and other special privileges given to well-connected companies at the expense of ordinary citizens.
There are also concerns about a revolving door between government and lobbyists, power-obsessed career politicians, and an expanding government facilitated by the influence of big money. These elements contribute to the ‘perfect swamp habitat’.
Despite these issues, during Trump’s first term, he introduced steel tariffs, essentially a tax burdened by U.S. consumers, and distributed various subsidies and bailouts to companies and farmers affected by his tariffs. The Biden-Harris administration has also been criticized for its corporate welfare practices.
Now, both Trump and Harris are enticing more people into this flourishing swamp. Trump has made several promises to specific constituencies, including tax cuts on Social Security benefits and potentially lifting all taxes on the police and the military. Harris, on the other hand, is promising forgivable business loans to certain minority entrepreneurs and subsidies for working parents.
Those who don’t fall into the favored categories will likely face a higher tax bill and experience inflation as a result of political favors, which results in debt and increased future taxes.
Both Harris and Trump have plans to punish those they hold accountable for America’s problems. Harris plans to penalize retailers and innovators for the inflation occurring under her administration, and Trump promises to impose tariffs on consumers purchasing affordable foreign goods and services.
Trump’s promise to drain the swamp tapped into a real and justified frustration with Washington. Entrenched corporate interests shouldn’t be rewarded by politicians with handouts at our expense. Neither should individuals singled out for favors by politicians on the campaign trail.
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