We began this series in March with this question: Are you better off now than you were four years ago? We knew the 2024 election would be like no other: the stakes higher than at any time in U.S. history. Its outcome will determine the fate of us all, and of the planet. 

Our intent was to give you fact-based, reliable information in an array of critical areas: health care, education, climate, jobs and wages, infrastructure. You then could assess how you, your family, community, state and nation would fare under either administration and determine if that future is acceptable to you.

Here’s a recap and update.

Economy: The pandemic punched a hole in the economy. Trump began with a stable economy but by the end of his term, it was “spiraling downward”; the national debt increased by 40.43%. Home prices rose 27.5%. Tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations thrived and would continue while taxes for working and middle—class Americans, due in part to tariffs, would increase by $3,900 a year. Social Security and Medicare would face constant calls for cuts. The addition to the national debt: $7.5 trillion.

The Biden/Harris administration entered a disastrous economy and a calamitous pandemic. They slowly brought it back — the envy among countries battling post-pandemic recovery — with inflation slowly decreasing. Harris’ top priority is building up the middle class — bringing down costs for health care, housing, groceries, cutting taxes for families and ensuring that the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay their fair share.

Jobs and wages: Under Trump, America lost 2.7 million jobs — nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs. The unemployment rate increased to 6.4%. Current proposals allude to tax exemptions for tips, firing civil service workers and replacing them with anti—union loyalists, letting companies stop paying overtime and states to opt out of federal overtime and minimum wage laws, and eliminating child labor protections.

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Biden/Harris brought back 6 million jobs more than before the pandemic; manufacturing job numbers are rebounding from pandemic losses. In 2023, 9,500 jobs were added to the Maine economy, many in construction. Harris would continue strengthening collective bargaining to support higher wages and greater labor protections for workers.

Infrastructure: While Trump campaigned in 2016 on a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, it never materialized, leaving states to fend for themselves. Trump now proposes new investments for rural America, state and local government decision—making, removal of regulatory barriers, and streamlined permitting.

Harris will continue the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure spending to build back after the pandemic. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) directed more than $2 billion to Maine’s state, regional and local governments for roads and bridges; ports and airports; school and public bus replacements; and other infrastructure needs.

Climate: Destructive winter storms in Maine and savage hurricanes along the east coast have underlined the imperative to address climate change. The difference between the two candidates is stark. Over four years, the Trump administration dismantled nearly 100 major climate policies and rules governing clean air, water, wildlife and toxic chemicals. Denying a climate crisis, he vows to repeal further environmental protections and reject America’s international climate pledges while trolling fossil-fuel companies for billion-dollar contributions. The current administration championed climate change interventions, rejoined the U.N.’s Paris Climate Agreement and is leading the way to reduce methane globally.

Harris supports current climate change initiatives, proposing stricter regulations on polluting industries while expanding clean energy initiatives and subsidies. Maine was awarded historically large federal grants to help working waterfronts recover from unprecedented winter storms and ensure their future resilience. A recent federal award of $40.5 million targets the effects of climate change on wildlife habitat and agricultural lands.

Education: The candidates differ significantly on their approach to, and purpose of, education. The GOP-Trump plans mirror the more detailed Project 2025 and America First Policy Institute proposing the elimination of Head Start and the federal Department of Education. Funding of essential special education services for Maine students would be uncertain. Privatized student loans and universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), allowing families to spend taxpayer funds on private education, established. School curriculums will be severely altered to exempt eras, events, and people that depict slavery, segregation, tribal land take-overs, Chinese and Japanese internments, among others.

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The Harris campaign calls for increased funding to support student achievement, continued support for Head Start, the DoE, and student loan forgiveness while rejecting bans or restriction on books and curriculum.

Health care: Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA — Obamacare), and medication costs have been lightening rod issues in this election cycle. Under Trump, over 3 million more people lacked health insurance. Medicare funding cuts were proposed in each annual budget as was replacing Obamacare. Effective COVID vaccines were ineffectively distributed: by the day Trump left office, 401,000 people had died. Women (and families) lost their rights to reproductive freedom and will be encouraged to “make babies and stay home.” And while small gains were made in lessening medication costs, larger profits were made by Big Pharma.

Harris cast the tie-breaking vote on the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, allowing for government to negotiate reduced drug prices for Medicare with pharmaceutical companies. She is a staunch defender of the ACA, Medicaid expansion, protections for people with pre-existing conditions, increased coverage of in-home care for seniors, and of a woman’s right to reproductive freedom. Expanding access to health care is a
priority.

Government must work for all citizens, not against them. Many do not know how federal policies, and corresponding state actions, impact them. Nor are they aware of what policies have enhanced, or diminished, their and their families’ well-being.

The differences between the two major parties, most especially between the presidential candidates, is crystal clear.

As you cast your ballot, ask yourself: Who will best assure my family and me that a secure, stable, and sustainable future awaits us?

These considerations are essential pieces of information for you to carry into the voting booth with you in November

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