Graphic by Clara Boberg
By Alec Liberman
Opinions Reporter
2017 has been an incredibly busy year. Politicians have spoken, accusations were made, and provinces declared independence.
However, particularly in the United States, there have been an incredibly number of polarizing issues that were represented by the media in 2017. I have picked five of them to describe each of the opposing viewpoints.
#1. Leaving the Paris Agreement
On June 1, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a bill to combat greenhouse gas emissions signed by 171 nations. Critics have argued that the Paris Aggreement is groundbreaking and attempts to reduce human impact on the environment and fight global warming.
Supporters of this action argue that the bill is weak and harms the United States economy. U.S. membership in the Agreement is somewhat symbolic, as the Agreement is not mandatory and thus does not affect U.S. emissions. Supporters argue that the bill reveals weakness within our government due to the possibility that the U.S would stay in the Agreement without following through with its promises.
Opponents of President Trump’s action argued that it was a large mistake, and while not mandatory, the bill drives signatories to reduce their own emissions. Pulling out signifies a disbelief in climate change. Almost universally, Democrats dissented and urged Trump to not withdraw. In turn, many cities and states have pledged to keep their emissions low, even without the Paris Agreement in place.
#2. Repeal of DACA
In early September, President Trump ordered an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an immigration policy that allowed some illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors to remain in the country and receive a period of deferred action from deportation, as well as eligibility for a work permit. While the end was announced on September 5, full implementation was delayed by six months to give Congress time to decide what to do with individuals who were previously eligible.
Proponents of DACA—generally Democrats—argue that the move is inhumane and cruel, and that the effort to remove young immigrants would both harm the economy and go against American values of immigration and freedom. A number of organizations have condemned the repeal, due to research showing that there were no major impacts from DACA on native-born workers’ employment.
Opponents of DACA—generally Republicans— argue that keeping DACA in place goes against American values of legal immigration and the United States’ duty to its citizens, arguing that parents ought to be held responsible for their choices. However, some Republicans also condemned Trump, stating that many children did not choose to be brought into the United States.
#3. Passing Tax Reform
The Trump Tax Cuts, officially known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is a bill that was introduced on November 2 that plans to alter the rate of taxation for individuals and businesses. The bill reduces tax rates and increases deductions and family tax credits, as well as repealing the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act.
Supporters of the bill are mostly Republican, citing that the bill would simplify the tax code and lower taxes. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Majority Leader, respectively, have voiced their support of the bill, and president Trump signed the bill into law on December 22.
Most Democrats are passionately dissenting. One of the main arguments is the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan organization, reported that there would be a hefty benefit to corporations and businesses due to the bill. Additionally, the bill would add approximately $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. The Tax Policy Center estimated that over 70% of taxpayers would be adversely impacted by the bill after 2019.
#4. Political Correctness
Donald Trump’s unique speeches contain none of the formalities and politeness of his colleagues and predecessors. Reports on his speeches—often considered offensive by some—are on the top of the news feed constantly.
His critics argue that Donald Trump’s speaking style is a national disgrace. That side would argue that political correctness is a necessity, and that Trump completely disregards the respect given to his office. His offensive speeches degrade the inclusive, welcoming and united community a president’s office tries to build and defend.
His supporters would praise his honesty and cite political correctness as a step against the First Amendment and the basic freedoms of this country. Political correctness does not prepare people for the real world, and that those that are easily offended “should grow thicker skin” and prepare for offensive speech rather than hope for its non-existence. His constituents are tired of continuously watching every word and crave a revival of honesty in this country.
#5. Repealing Net Neutrality
Net neutrality means enforcing internet service providers (ISPs) in order to ensure equal access to the internet. For example, net neutrality supports the idea that Wikipedia should not be able to pay internet providers more money to run faster and be prioritized over other websites like Facebook or Netflix.
There has recently been a large movement in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), headed by chairman Ajit Pai, to stop enforcing net neutrality rules. Supporters argue that less government intervention will allow for a more fair economic system under a true fair market, and that strict net neutrality rules reduce investments while prohibiting a number of pro-competitive business arrangements.
Opponents argue that there needs to be government regulation in place in order to prevent ISPs from throttling data. The majority of the American public, both Democratic and Republican, support keeping the rules on net neutrality fearing that ISPs will institute pay-to-use packages and extra charges for using certain websites, restricting the freedom of the internet.
