2020 Vision with Asher

If you are a presidential election “junkie” like I am, you are likely thinking about who will step up and run to be our 46th United States President. To me, a good platform on the issues is necessary for me to support someone, especially with a heated Democratic primary just ahead of us.

My candidate will need to be anti war. Someone who supports a full withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen will earn gratitude from those who recognize the atrocity that is our War on Terror. These wars have kept the vacuum of terror wide open, poured billions of dollars per year away like expensive cat litter on an open wound, and cost thousands of American lives, not to mention thousands more veterans traumatically injured for life; not to mention the colossal damage we have done to the countries we have indefinitely occupied, whether in terms of massive instability or thousands dead and maimed. The War on Terror, and the money spent on appeasing defense contractors, must be controlled and stopped. This does not mean end counter terrorism or become isolationist. This means end the wars.

My candidate will need to oppose the War on Drugs. The legalization of cannabis nationwide should be a top priority. The decriminalization of other, harder drugs should also be on the agenda. Putting people in jail for use or possession of drugs does not solve the drug issue, it only exacerbated it, putting a strain on marginalized communities and taxpayers. We should follow examples like in Portugal where drug epidemics have been tackled by ending drug wars. We should hurt the black market and cartels by legalizing cannabis and decriminalizing other drugs. We should liberate non violent drug users/possessors by ending the abysmal War on Drugs.

My candidate will support environmental protection. In this, they should be an advocate for alternative energy, carbon taxes, and keeping corporations from polluting as they please. They should be in favor of healthcare expansion, ADA expansion, and securing liberties for the trans community. They should be opposed to “Teach to Test” education and support the protection of public education. They should support worker rights like a living wage, unionization, and safe workplaces. They should be progressive, independent minded, bold on the issues, and possess quality character.

With all of that said, I like Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, Beto O’Rourke, Andrew Gillum, Jeff Merkley, and Kirsten Gillibrand. Who do you like that will be good on the issues I mentioned?