With the 2017 election coming up, many Pleasant Valley students are eligible to vote. Many still wonder who the right candidate is for the next four years. This is a large stepping-stone into adulthood for these teens. It is the first real decision some high school students have to make that will affect their future.

Studies have proven how a parent’s political view greatly affects their child’s beliefs. “Boys and girls are equally likely to say that they share the same political and social views as their parents,” states Linda Lyons, a political analyzer. It is important for students to take a lead on his or her own beliefs based on what they have learned over the school years.

So, for those of you seniors who are capable of voting this fall, here is a list of topics in which Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump support:

Hillary Clinton represents the Democratic Party:

Economics:

• Raise minimum wage to $12 an hour
• Provide more tax breaks for working families
• Wealthy should pay more taxes

Immigration:

• Supports broad immigration reform
• Favors protections for certain groups of undocumented immigrants

Environment:

• Believes climate change is an “urgent threat”
• Supports the agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Wants to invest in renewable energy

Terrorism:

• Wants to set up airstrikes against ISIS
• Diplomatic solution to Syria’s civil war to help stem regional violence

U.S. Role in the World:

• U.S. must continue to work with NATO and longtime allies to fend off threats like North Korea, China, and Russia
• Supports the 2015 deal with Iran to curb the nuclear program

Guns:

• Supports ban on assault weapons (AR-15, which has been involved in many mass shootings)
• Favors expanding background checks
• No one on a terrorism watch list should be allowed to purchase guns

Donald Trump represents the Republican Party:

Economics:

• Wants to renegotiate trade deals
• Proposes a 45 percent tariff on goods coming to the U.S. from China
• Lower the corporate tax rate and simplify the tax code for everyone

Immigration:

• Promises to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration and make Mexico pay for it
• Demands a temporary ban on foreign Muslims entering the U.S.

Environment:

• Believes climate change is a “hoax”
• Supports fracking and the construction of a new oil pipeline to Canada

Terrorism:

• Promises to defeat ISIS by taking away the oil which funds the radical group
• Vows to increase the size of the U.S. military and “bomb the hell out of ISIS”

U.S. Role in the World:

• Questions value of allies and NATO
• Wants to tear up the nuclear deal with Iran

Guns:

• Bans on assault weapons does not make sense
• Opposes expanding background checks

In a few shorts years, these policies and ideas will impact your generation. So, the best way to contribute to your future is by voting for the candidate who shares beliefs similar to yours.

Hopefully these main ideas help your decision-making process for the election. Several people argue this election is one of the worst in American history. However, do not let this discourage you, eligible voters, from voting. Not contributing to the election is the worst possible scenario.

This election is a crucial one because the United States is desperate for change. “Our government only works as well as the people we elect,” the current President of the United States announced.

The country is falling apart economically and culturally. The vast differences between various groups in the U.S. causes reckless actions. This nation has potential to rise on top again, but it will take a strong leader for this to change.
The question is, which political leader will be able to fulfill all of America’s wants and demands?