The second presidential debate touched on the issues that undecided voters were most passionate about approaching the Nov. 8 election. Of these issues, these are some of the ones the candidates focused on the most.
What are appropriate and positive behaviors for today’s youth
Hillary Clinton said we are going to respect one another and lift each other up, and we are going to be looking for ways to celebrate our diversity. She wanted to have an optimistic view of the country, celebrating diversity above all. Trump said he agreed with everything Clinton said, yet the country is currently in a bad place when it comes to business and trade. He also said his leaked 2005 video was just “locker-room talk” and the threat of ISIS was more important.
William Ellis, chairman of the Monroe County Republican Party, said Trump’s commentary and behavior in the leaked 2005 video is deplorable.
“People say that’s how men talk, and maybe I’m the exception to the rule, but I don’t even talk to my wife in private like that,” Ellis said.
Mark Fraley, chair of the Democratic Party of Monroe County, said these comments are part of Trump’s continuing pattern.
“He has long shown himself to believe that women are less than human beings and exist as playthings for people like himself,” Fraley said.
He said Bloomington residents know the pain of sexual assault all too well. This is the kind of behavior the country is trying to get rid of, Fraley said; however, people in power like Trump are perpetuating rape culture.
Affordable Care Act
Trump said Obamacare is a disaster. “You know it. We all know it,” Trump said. “Obamacare will never work. It’s very bad. Very bad health insurance. Far too expensive. And not only expensive for the person that has it, unbelievably expensive for our country.” Clinton had conflicting ideas. She wanted to address the needed cost cuts versus getting rid of the healthcare system all together. “I want very much to save what works and is good about the Affordable Care Act, but we’ve got to get costs down,” Clinton said.
Ellis said Trump nailed taxation in the debate; however, he would like to see more discussion on insurance and state barriers.
Fraley said he was displeased Trump wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act because it will bring the country back to the day when insurance companies could discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.
He said he believes Clinton’s plan to adjust Obamacare is much more sensible and will benefit lower- and middle-class Americans.
Taxes
Trump’s not releasing his tax returns came up as a major issue in the debate. Clinton said Trump is living in an alternative reality when it comes to taxes and he only plans to give the wealthy and corporations the biggest tax cuts.
Trump said he understood the tax code better than anybody that’s run for president. He said he pays income taxes and federal taxes and Clinton’s bad judgement will not help the tax situation.
Fraley said Trump wants to sell the Bush and Reagan idea of giving tax cuts to the wealthy as something that’s going to benefit Americans. However, Fraley said the country “has enough experience to know that’s bogus.” Taxation is a complex situation that requires someone with good judgment and discipline to do the job.
“That’s clearly Hillary Clinton,” Fraley said.
Ellis said he was unhappy with both candidates’ plans. He said he would like to see a robust discussion on the fair tax, but the country is not there yet. Clinton discussed investing in people; however, Ellis is concerned that this will increase taxes for Americans across the board.
Syria and Aleppo crisis
Clinton said she would go to the negotiating table with more leverage than the United States currently has with dealing with foreign powers and she is running a campaign on the issues versus insults. Trump asked the audience “how stupid is our country,” referencing bringing in potential murderers into the country, if more and more refugees were permitted. Islamophobia was looked at as the responsibility of the Muslims that enter the country to report on what they see by Trump. Clinton saw it as a major issue of the country that needs to be approached, focusing on the religious freedom of the country.
“We have to cut off the head of ISIS,” Ellis said. “The United States needs to wage war to win and do everything it can to minimize civilian casualties. However, this should not be done at the expense of dragging the war out because that will lead to a greater loss of life.”
“Trump understands that in war you wage it to win and do it as quickly as possible,” Ellis said.
Fraley said he did not understand Trump’s plan other than that it is the “best plan in the world.” Syria is a difficult situation that requires a president with good judgment and discipline to do the job.
“That’s clearly Hillary Clinton,” Fraley said.
On Islamophobia, Fraley said Trump did not present a coherent idea. On the other hand, Clinton spoke about celebrating diversity, which is what the U.S. was built on.
“This is a country whose history is hung on a timeline of being more expansive to people,” Fraley said. “That is what Hillary is trying to get back to.”
Ellis said he agrees with Trump and the nation needs to come to the realization that most terrorist attacks are committed by radical Muslims.
“We have to confront terrorism and call it what it is,” he said. “Nevertheless, Americans of middle-eastern background deserve the same rights as everyone else in the country.”
Alyson Malinger and Melanie Metzman
