“Michigan Mingles: Biden and Trump Jostle for Working-Class Support”
The race for President of the United States is reaching the homestretch and a significant number of swing states are deciding the election. The great state of Michigan is one of them and the two main contenders, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, have both made the state their focus for the remaining days of the election.
Michigan is one of the few states that has seen economic gains in the last four years, but a large portion of the working class feels forgotten. Biden defines himself as a champion of the middle-class and has already established himself as an advocate of organized labor. He has proposed to raise taxes on those earning over $400,000, and creating a financial savings bond as well as expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, both geared towards helping make financial ends meet for the working class. He also has laid out a plan to extend Medicaid health care coverage to cover more citizens in Michigan, including those with pre-existing conditions.
On the other side, Donald Trump is appealing to working-class voters in Michigan by extolling the economic growth experienced in the state since his election. He cites the reduction in unemployment to 3.7% and the increase in wages as factors that have benefited the Michigan working class. He also speaks to his support for workforce development, through vocational training and lowering the cost of college and apprenticeships. He has also promised to make government more friendly for small businesses and manufacturing, something that would benefit many Michigan citizens.
Ultimately, the Michigan working class is in a unique position that could swing the outcome of the election and the fate of the country for the next four years. It will be up to the voters to decide which candidate is best suited to help this key constituency: Biden’s proposals to increase wages and expand healthcare to all, or Trump’s promises of economic growth. It’s an important moment for Michigan, and the entire country.