different means of enticing diverse voter populations
Politicians use different means of enticing diverse voter populations for their support. This is a common phenomenon in politics as politicians and political parties develop and sell different policies to members of the general public, like farmers, teachers, business people, and youth. The policies in agriculture presented by Donald Trump and Senator Warren, as demonstrated in discussion two, illustrates how the target population perceives the two politicians and their policies. Therefore, this paper argues that politicians do not always do as they promise their voters with specific attention to American farmers.
Farmers are a critical demographic in the United States as far as political support is concerned. Many politicians and political parties have come up with policies during their campaigns and while in the office to help the rural poor. For instance, the Trump administration is struggling to fulfill the promises he gave to American farmers (Lobosco, 2020). On the other hand, Senator Warren’s agricultural plan is criticized by the African American farmers who think that it will not address the management and loss of black-owned land that is linked to historical racism. (Linskey, 2019). American farmers are hurting under Donald Trump but still believe that the hurting is only for the short-term since the trade deals by Trump will bring them long-term benefits.
Most policies that the Trump administration is pursuing are not in line with his promises to the American farmers during the presidential campaign. He has taken a potentially drastic shift in trade policies that have supported the agriculture industry for far too long. He has replaced it with some little-noticed tax increases in the $1.5 trillion tax law. Even though some American farmers feel that the suffering now is worth it and that Trump trade deals with other partners will result in long-term benefits, most of them are facing difficult times than they have ever encountered. For instance, prices for agricultural products have decreased, and the rural economies have remained sluggish contrary to what Trump promised.
Trump promised American farmers that their net farm income would increase when he takes office. However, the last three years have seen the net farm income for American farmers reducing by half – the most significant decrease ever seen in the United States of America since the Great Depression. It is important to note that a lot of American farmers supported President Trump. Nevertheless, the farm community has cheered the president’s deregulatory agenda, especially the one overturning the water pollution regulation enacted by President Obama (Lobosco, 2020). However, some of the president’s economic policies are harming the farmers. Some of the policies he is also making are projected by economists to actually lower farm output in the years to come and effectively raise taxes on the lowest-earning farm households while delivering substantial gains for the wealthiest farmers.
In conclusion, the trade policies of Trump’s administration continues to worry about American farmers. This is contrary to what the president promised the agricultural industry. It is important to note that one of the leading sources of income is when the farmers have direct access to other markets, which includes exporting their products. However, the threats by President Trump to withdraw from various trade pacts forged during the previous administrations if a better deal is not granted to the United States. This is a position that threatens the success and sustainability of American farmers and nullifies all the promises he has previously made to them either as a presidential candidate or a president.
References
Lobosco, K. (2020 February, 2). Trump loves farmers, but his policies haven’t always helped. CNN. Retrieved from: https://amp.flipboard.com/@CNN/trump-loves-farmers-but-his-policies-haven-t-always-helped/f-fa2d594154%2Fcnn.com
Linskey, A. (2019 August 31). Black farmers say Warren’s plan wouldn’t solve their biggest problem. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/black-farmers-say-warrens-farm-plan-wouldnt-solve-their-biggest-problem/2019/08/31/171b6d66-cb4d-11e9-a4f3-c081a126de70_story.html