Election 2020 — the Aftermath
Photo Credit: Stratos Brilakis / Shutterstock: President-elect Joe Biden
by Sahana Garg
It has now been over two months since the record-breaking election of this catastrophic year took place, and the media’s fixation on it has not settled down. Consumers of news media will hear about two major things: primarily COVID-19, but also the voter fraud allegations being made by the members of the Republican party. These claims include accusations of Democrats both stuffing the ballot box and removing Trump votes. With all of the turmoil surrounding the allegations, people haven’t been focusing on what is really going on in the background: the aftermath of the election.
Although we have yet to transition from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, we can already foresee some of the changes that may be made. Sources such as NPR already predict many improvements, such as large monetary aid being offered to households, state and local governments, and small businesses being made by the Biden administration. They also believe that the country’s economy will lift. However, as the Democratic party has already promised, taxes will increase, but these tax increases will only be applied to wealthier citizens. Families making under $400,000 per year will receive tax breaks. Much of this newly generated money given to the government will be used towards healthcare, help for the elderly, people with disabilities, climate change, affordable housing, immigration, and LGBTQ rights.
Many officials are even going as far as to say that there will be changes in the government immediately after the transfer of power. But, first and foremost, the goal of future president Biden is to get the pandemic under control. Mask-wearing and other prevention tactics will be enforced across the country in hopes of slowing the spread and transmission of this deadly disease as well as give us time to find a workable solution. Biden is also working to make coronavirus tests, treatments, and vaccines free. The biggest hope of all is that a vaccine is coming.
To hone in on a more local aspect, we spoke with the past mayor and councilmember of San Ramon, Dave Hudson, to hear his thoughts about the transition between governments as well as another important topic concerning the election: the passing or failing of California propositions 16 and 18. Proposition 16, which failed, would have repealed the law that prevents public universities in California from considering race in college admissions. Proposition 18, which also failed, would have allowed 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the next general election to vote in the primary election.
“Prop. 18 is the wrong direction. It took me four terms (16 years) to understand the crafting of propositions,” Hudson said when asked about the failing of these propositions in an email. “It’s not the beauty contest you are led to believe. Don’t be in a hurry to choose the path that doesn’t produce the campaign promises,” he said.
Hudson also claimed that these wouldn’t affect local students directly, and he doesn’t imagine that Proposition 16 will make college applications more difficult. He fears for the lack of money being put towards transportation in the next four years, but looks forward to what Biden has to offer and hopefully his positive impact in California as well as the Bay Area.
As life goes on and we all recover from the damage this year has done to the world, politics will continue to change and affect us in a variety of different ways. We are all in pain whether it comes in the form of being stuck at home, ill in the hospital, or missing our friends and family, and are hoping for an outcome that allows for prosperity and success.
