The Economy - Understanding why Trump is bad for the economy requires some prior knowledge about the way the economy actually works. Trump's policies are the epitome of everything trickle-down economists believe to be good and right. There are a number of problems with the trickle-down economic theory, but before I get into that, let me objectively define what that sort of an economy supposedly looks like. In a nutshell, having a low income tax on the rich is supposed to encourage them to expand their businesses so that they provide more jobs to the working class families and therefore trickle-down the wealth that they have. Sounds great, right? Too bad it doesn't work and has never worked in the history of this country or any other country for that matter. Let’s talk about why that might be. In the real world of economics it is understood that when the wealthy get large sums of money they do use a portion of the money to expand their business, that’s to be expected, but where they expand is always in direct relation to cost. Makes sense, right? The point of a business is to maximize profits after all, but wait. Regardless of big tax breaks, which trump wants to give to the wealthy business owners NOT THE MIDDLE CLASS. Big businesses are going to hire the cheapest labor available. Reducing their taxes isn't going to make the working class more marketable against cheap foreign labor. It's simply going to increase the amount of money that is going into the pockets of these insanely rich guys, which benefits this country absolutely none, because, again, trickle down economics doesn't work. Instead of investing in this countries people, the wealthy frequently outsource to the cheapest option, so unless you want to work sweatshop wages to be employed, then it’s kind of pointless to buy into the idea that Trump will be a good leader in the economy, but there is more. On top of the fact that reducing taxes for wealthy people will not create jobs for our middle class, Trump has expressed no interest in disrupting the current imbalance that exists in wealth distribution. If you are a U.S citizen then you most likely pay taxes. If you don't, then good luck to you, but if you are from middle class family you probably have felt a bit of pressure trying to make the numbers click, right? Trump actually doesn't really want to change your taxes all that much. You are going to be paying about the same amount in taxes under his plan while the wealthy get massive tax breaks and can send their money over seas to sit in tax havens or to be turned into cheap labor. Oh wait, what was that thing about tax havens? The thing is that the wealthy don't pay taxes (*that’s probably why trump hasn't released his taxes), what they do is they put their money in foreign banks that take away the governments ability to tax those profits. So not only do they trickle-down their wealth into foreign markets but they don't even pay a comparative amount of their wealth to the government as the middle and lower classes. It’s rather ironic that someone who seemingly has enough economic savvy to run a successful and profitable business would actually be such a detriment to the economy, but perhaps its not that ironic. Trump has benefited from the trickle down economic system that has been prevalent in this country’s politics and capital for many decades. He doesn't see the negative effects that his principles have on the economy because he's never had to face them himself. If you are voting because you want to see an improvement to the economy then Trump is not your man.
The Lies - Frequently trump supporters will congratulate him on his separation from politics and seem to be in some sort of elysian trance about his honesty and willingness to vocalize his opinions. Before I address Trumps lack of decorum I want to point out the fact that if politicians are known for being untrustworthy, then regardless of his political background, Trump would seem to be pretty keen on the whole politician aesthetic. Trump has a tendency to deny statements that proof shows he has made and he tends to exaggerate his points with bombast or misused or misquoted facts. There is something to be said about Hillary’s honesty as well but the idea that Trump is a person of fact, and of clear thought and altruism is simply just another lie that he has convinced people of. Trump is playing the game just as much as any politician would. It’s gone so far that Hillary’s campaign has used this against him by setting up a “fact checker” that scrutinizes his statements. What is particularly bad about this situation is Trump has a legion of blind followers. Hillary is known as a politician who doesn't reveal all of the truth and her opponents and supporters scrutinize her because of it. Trump isn't scrutinized to the same degree. He’s not a politician, he speaks his mind, he will make America great again, but why would you trust a man who so frequently lies? He refutes statements that he has made, if a man can’t commit to the words he says then why would you expect him to uphold the agreements he makes? Following someone blindly and buying into his messages without scrutiny makes you a participant in demagoguery. Trump is not a leader that will bring us a better tomorrow. That is a fallacy. If you truly scrutinize Trump then you will see him to be just as if not more untrustworthy as his opponent. Don't let him sell you something before you are properly aware of what it is he stands for.- The division - Trump, in his political game, has used something terrible to garner support. He has gathered a massive following of “silent majority” voters who want to stop the progression of our society to a more inclusive and safe community for all of it’s participants. I obviously can’t tell anyone what virtues you are supposed to live by but one of the virtues that most seem to hold onto is the one that reminds us to love our neighbors. Instead of looking at what makes us different and passing judgments on entire groups of people we should be looking for ways to work together with one another. Being an American is about being whatever you are and participating in this wonderful experiment. Tear down walls, don't build them, that goes for the walls in our own society and the walls that exist between our society and others. Whether we like it or not we exist in this world with other countries, with other people, and we should be focusing on what makes us similar and what we can do to make life better for everyone instead of ways of secluding ourselves. Trumps foreign policy would shatter the ties we have with the world, they would forge bonds of hatred that should be bonds of love. Who would want to live in a world like that, a world where we only see what makes us different and respond with fear? Not me, I want to live in a world where differences are celebrated and where the world gets along fine and violence and hate-speech don't have a place at the center of the world stage. What’s particularly scary about Trump isn't the fact that he holds these divisive ideas or that he screams them in carnival fashion, but rather that there is such a large group of people who seemingly hold the same attitudes. It’s bad enough that even if I did agree with Trump on the economy and even if I didn't mind the lies or the demagoguery then I simply would not be able to to vote for him out of moral judgment. We need a leader that can go out into the world and show the world whats good about America, not whats ugly and exclusionary.
- The Controversy - Again, I want to address the fact that Hilary has her fair share of controversy. This article isn't about convincing people to vote for her its about opening the eyes of those who aren't aware of the volatile mistake of voting for Trump. Trump wants to be the champion of the middle class but his entire career is full of real life middle-class workers who testify against his ability to look out for the little guy. Work completed and men left unpaid, elaborate scams like Trump University, his track record is far from spotless and he shouldn't have the middle class’s support because of the the crimes he has committed against the hard working people of this country. It’s sickening to see someone who believes in his empty promises to be the savior of the working American. The evidence and his track record just don't align with him fulfilling that sort of a role in the country, not to mention his misguided way of working the economy. If there is any take-away from this article it should be that Trump doesn't represent the people who subscribe to his platform. The middle-class working people of America that are keeping him afloat are going to be extremely disadvantaged if he makes it into office and gets any of his platforms stances into effect. Be smart about your interests and what he would actually do for you and for this country before you go out and vote for him.
- The Deplorability - Bringing up the moral aspect of voting for Trump again- simply put, there is no way that voting for Trump can be deemed a moral decision. Undeniable injustice exists in this country and Trump puts forth no plan to bring about the justice that is due. The way that Trump degrades those around him and those that oppose him is inexcusable. Something can be said for not wanting political correctness to interfere with the truth but nothing can be said for the derogative ways Trump addresses women, muslims, immigrants, foreign leaders, the current president, POC, and most every minority group in this country. Celebrating the way Trump speaks his mind is one thing, but celebrating his hate speech is an immoral act in itself. It is not okay to hate groups of people like that. Every religious person I know holds themselves to some sort of standard when it comes to laying down morals for themselves, and I can tell you that Trump is not a moral man by most religious standards. He has played America’s moral compass against itself and has somehow snaked himself in the hearts of America's right-wing christian coalition, but how? Many of the reasons that they oppose the the democratic party, Trump could also be held liable. The tale of Trump’s success in this election is a strange one. He is a greedy immoral man, who disrespects Christianity’s moral code but has a huge christian following, who disregards the middle class in his policies and business dealings but hold a crazy flock of middle-class voters, and who demoralizes women and minorities but also seems to hold some odd number of women and minority voters somehow. It’s truly baffling to see people support a man as vile and treacherous to this countries viability as he is when the only thing that they would have to gain from his presidency is increased bureaucracy and a worse tomorrow. In the end, if you are reading this, just please take a second look at the candidates in this election objectively. Both major party candidates have so many problems and Gary Johnson is a joke, let's be honest. It’s been rather disheartening as a young voter to be handed the responsibility of determining what type of evil I wanted in office come November. Hopefully if Trump does become president, democracy and I will survive the nuclear wars he is bound to start, and hopefully the next candidates aren't as racist and deplorable and orange as the ones we have today.
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Swifties from around the Delaware Valley flooded South Philadelphia for a three-day Swift-a-palooza, with many bejeweled in ‘style’ from head to toe, symbolizing the eras of the Reading, Pennsylvania natives' decade-long career in the music industry. Fans camped out overnight just to get their hands on the tour's well-made merchandise to commemorate the upcoming evening. You could feel the anticipation building inside and outside the sold-out stadium as Swift was set to take the stage hours from showtime.
Fresh off a Grammy nomination for song of the year, GAYLE was first to open the tour with seven genre-blending selections that had a large majority of fans rise to their feet. The ‘abcdefu’ singer had such poise and pureness in her vocals, and the chemistry between her bass player and drummer was unmatched. My favorite part of her set was a rock-infused tribute to Elton John's 1973 iconic hit, ‘Bennie and the Jets’. It’s a tough song to cover, and GAYLE did it justice and more.
Phoebe Bridgers followed moments later, dressed alongside her band in their signature black skeleton suits. Bridger's folk-infused hits were a delight to hear live, and I love the storybook visuals that portrayed how each song felt like a new chapter in her life. Matt Healy, frontman of the 1975 and Swift’s rumored-to-be boyfriend, was on guitar for the entire set, which was a surprise to the audience.
With a 46-song set spanning the ‘eras’ of Taylor, the twelve-time Grammy Winner took fans on a musical journey through her dozen album discography, beginning with Lover and ending with her latest album, Midnights, released late last year. It’s been nearly five years since Swift performed back in her hometown with her Reputation Tour in 2018. Since then, she has released four projects and two re-recordings of her albums Fearless and Red, each of which has never been performed live until now. In a previous interview, Swift said she wants fans who have seen her previous shows to have a completely different feeling each tour, and this statement couldn’t ring more true. She knows what the fans want ‘all too well’. And unsurprisingly, Swift and her team have outdone themselves once again. The tour is a testament to Taylor’s pure genius and a creative visionary mind, bringing her songs and sets to new heights in imaginative fashion.
Energetic dance performance under the spotlight.
It’s so fascinating to see live how strong the connection is between Swift and her fans. Unlike some of her colleagues in the industry, Taylor has songwriting credits on each of her timeless songs, focusing on topics such as heartbreak, depression, and childhood innocence. The personal anecdotes and honesty in her music make fans feel like they know her through her art of songwriting. Even with over seventy-thousand in attendance, Taylor made each fan feel like they were seen and heard as she gracefully danced her way around the stage, waving and blowing kisses to everyone she could see in her field of vision. From beginning to end Swift had such swagger and charisma on stage. She was born to entertain, and the audience was bedazzled by her presence.
Taylor Swift in a purple coat, captivating the crowd on stage.
Fans had immense energy from start to finish, singing every word and ad-lib as if they wrote it themselves. Mid-way through the show, fans gave Swift a rapturous ten-minute standing and cheering ovation that was loud enough to hear miles down the road. Taylor matched the energy and more and was filled with so much vigor and vibrancy in her performance. She took time throughout the show to speak directly to her fans with humble, down-to-earth interactions.
“Hi, I’m Taylor. Whether or not you intended to, you’ve ended up at my hometown show. I grew up right down the road.”, Swift said. Wearing a sparkling gray dress and matching boots, Taylor kicked off the show in her Lover Era with ‘Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince’ as her backup dancers paraded around her in elegant peacock-esque outfits. The visuals made me feel as if I was in the clouds as Swift danced on a box that rose above the stage. Swift seamlessly transitioned into her hit ‘Cruel Summer’, and the stage was filled with purple and pink aesthetics that looked like milky ways in the night sky. My favorite song of the Lover Era is by far ‘The Man’, a song about the mistreatment between men and women in our culture. With a creative three-story office set, upbeat liveliness from Swift and her suit-wearing dancers, and dramatic facial expressions, it felt as if I were inside one of her music videos.
Taylor Swift shines on stage in a sparkling outfit and boots.
Each Era felt perfectly timed and refreshing with new costumes, vibrant aesthetics, set design, and song choices, with the production quality of a broadway play. While I thought each Era brought something special, my personal favorite was Red. Sprinkled in with upbeat jams like ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’, Taylor brought Phoebe Bridgers back on stage to sing their duet of ‘Nothing New’. Their soul-stirring voices were succinct and in perfect harmony as they ricocheted throughout the stadium, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the building after it was over. Taylor ended the set with her ten-minute version of ‘All too Well’, and the song gave me chills to hear live. The LED light-up bracelets given to every concert-goer transformed the stadium into a sea of red that looked like twinkling stars. If this is what heaven feels like, then I can’t wait to go.
Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers sharing a joyful duet on stage.
The Eras tour is a dazzling delight, a first-class concert experience that is pure euphoria, bliss, and happiness. It’s a must-see show that will make everyone who witnesses it leave feeling ‘22’.
Luckily, many colleges offer a number of ways to take part in campus and community life, without forcing you to dedicate all of your time to these organizations. Here are a few ideas!
1. Look into Housing and Dining.
Many first-year students start off college life in residence halls, and the Housing & Dining network throughout campus often provides multiple opportunities for students throughout the year. Many buildings have student community councils that work to create policies and events that make the dorms a more welcoming home for residents. Becoming a community assistant (or the students who work the desks at the front of many halls) is another easy way to have a consistent, well-paying job only minutes away from your room.
If you really enjoyed your housing experience, consider applying to be an RLA, or, if the school offers it, help to teach the first-year community. You'll get the chance to help support new and returning students over the year, and many of these positions also cover major costs like board and meal plans.
2. Pay attention to campus postings.
This advice is more obvious, but it still gets overlooked a fair amount. Even on a busy day, taking the time to stop around campus and look at the flyers advertising clubs and events can draw your attention to something that you never would've noticed otherwise. Students on many campuses also chalk the sidewalk to catch students' attention while they walk to class. Just make sure that the event you're interested in hasn't taken place already!
3. Find common interest groups.
One way to find friends and get involved is to focus on what you're passionate about. Have you always loved to sing? Do you enjoy playing video games? Is photography your favorite past-time? Have you always wanted to join Greek life? Whatever you love devoting your time to, chances are there are organizations around school who are focused on the same thing. Check the student life section of your university's website, or stop by a student organization fair at the beginning of the semester.
4. Join an intramural sports team.
If you're the athletic type, you've probably heard of intramural sports. Often offered through the Rec Center or the residence halls, most colleges often offer various indoor and outdoor sports to take part in throughout the year. Personal favorite? Mini golf.
5. Work on a cause that you care about.
Whether you're passionate about a political group, a social cause, or a religion, working with people who value beliefs similar to yours can be an easy way to meet people, get a better sense of your own identity, and promote causes that are important to you. Look into getting involved with College Democrats, Republicans, or whatever party that you belong to. Find a club that supports social issues, from women's rights to protecting the environment. If you're religious, look into student organizations based on your faith.
6. Join a club related to your major.
Even if you're not entirely sure what you want to do after school, finding a club or organization related to your field of studies can benefit you long after you leave the classroom. From career-related workshops to conferences to professional connections, these groups have a lot to boast.
7. Get an on-campus job.
If you have the time, need to work, or want to save a few extra dollars, finding a job on or near campus is a time-effective way to build up your bank account and gain work experience. Check in your residence hall (see #1), at local businesses and offices, or make an appointment with your school's career center.
8. Volunteer.
When you're caught up in school life, it can be hard to think about the bigger picture. Volunteering your time to people (or animals/an environment) in need puts things in perspective and allows you to feel good while making a positive difference. Check if your college town has a volunteer page, or look up local organizations requesting help.
Best of luck this year! Get out, and get busy.
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