Harris and Trump Debate: What Was Not Mentioned

 

I would be remiss not to mention that this post falls on September 11, the anniversary of the 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City. Neither candidate acknowledged this pivotal moment in U.S. history. The tragic events of that day led to the U.S. and its allies launching invasions of both Iraq and Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 U.S. service members and hundreds of thousands of civilians in the two countries . To this day, questions about the U.S.'s motives and role in these wars remain unanswered. Yet, the specter of American imperialism, and its consequences, remains a topic neither candidate dares to address.

Key Issues Not Addressed by Vice President Kamala Harris

During the debate, several important issues were conspicuously absent from Vice President Kamala Harris’s statements, despite being of significant concern to Progressives:

1. Income Inequality: The gap between the wealthy and the poor has only widened in recent years. According to a report from the Economic Policy Institute, the top 1% of American earners now hold 32.3% of the nation's wealth, while the bottom 50% hold only 2.6% . Policies such as a wealth tax, higher corporate tax rates, and stronger labor rights could address this imbalance, yet Harris did not adequately address the issue.
2. The U.S. Leverage in Israel’s War with Gaza: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza remains a deeply contentious issue. The U.S. provides over $3.8 billion annually in military aid to Israel , yet Harris did not mention using this leverage to pressure Israel toward a ceasefire or a peaceful resolution. Progressive voices, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have criticized the U.S. for failing to engage in meaningful diplomacy in the region .
3. Waning Power of Unions: Union membership in the U.S. has been steadily declining, from about 20% in the 1980s to just 10.3% in 2021 . Harris failed to address how  her administration would strengthen labor unions or support workers' rights, a central issue for many Progressives who believe that revitalizing unions is key to fighting income inequality and worker exploitation.
4. Medicare for All: While the Biden administration has expanded healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act, Harris did not mention any movement toward a comprehensive healthcare package such as Medicare for All, which remains a top priority for Progressives . The pandemic highlighted the need for universal healthcare, and yet the debate failed to address this critical issue.
5. Free Education and Student Loan Forgiveness: The cost of education continues to be a heavy burden on many Americans, with student loan debt exceeding $1.6 trillion . Progressives have long advocated for free public college education and widespread student loan forgiveness, but Harris did not touch on these topics during the debate, leaving young voters concerned about her commitment to resolving this issue.
6. Influence of Political Action Committees (PACs): The pervasive influence of money in politics, largely through PACs and Super PACs, continues to erode public trust in the democratic process . Progressives have consistently called for reforms to campaign finance laws, including overturning Citizens United, but Harris did not address how her administration would reduce the influence of moneyed interests in politics.
7. Efforts to Intimidate Voters and Invalidate Elections: Republican-led efforts to suppress voter turnout and question the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election have intensified . In states across the country, restrictive voting laws have been enacted, often targeting minority communities. Despite these threats to democracy, Harris did not take the opportunity to emphasize the need for federal legislation, such as the For the People Act, to protect voting rights.
8. The Growing Right-Wing Movement in the U.S. and Europe: Right-wing nationalism and populism have been on the rise across the globe . Figures such as former President Donald Trump and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have fueled this resurgence, advocating for anti-immigrant policies, isolationism, and weakening democratic norms. Despite the real threat this movement poses to liberal democracies, Harris did not address it directly during the debate.

Progressives’ Concerns and Harris’s Future

These are the issues Progressives want to see discussed. Under a Trump administration, it is certain that Progressives and Democratic Socialists would have no voice. Given the circumstances, there is no viable choice for President other than Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Progressives must remind her that we supported her, and we expect well-defined policies on these matters.

Many in the Progressive movement, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Pramila Jayapal, have pushed for a more comprehensive policy platform that includes universal healthcare, economic justice, and stronger environmental protections . Harris must engage with these issues to maintain the support of the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

In future blog entries, I plan to discuss the topics not addressed in the debate in greater detail, with an emphasis on the specific policies needed to address these pressing issues.