What The 2020 Debate Means For Our Future | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

What The 2020 Debate Means For Our Future

The secondhand embarrassment is tangible, especially from the global community.

222
What The 2020 Debate Means For Our Future

Watching the 2020 Presidential Debate was bittersweet. On one hand, it's always good to be involved and know what is going on. Normally, debates are the perfect time to find out how candidates perform under some level of pressure and how they respond to different issues. Conversely, this year's debate left me anxious and terrified for our country's future. There are plenty of memes circulating the internet about settling for the lesser of two evils, yet this has become our reality.

On a simpler, less apocalyptic note, last night sets a precedent for future discourse and civility. Donald Trump interrupted Joe Biden too many times to count, mentioned Biden's son's drug addiction, and turned the night into a popularity contest. Yep, this is our president; however, Joe wasn't innocent easier. His disrespect comes from name calling and telling Trump to shut up. While thousands of people tweeted how elated they were to hear Biden stick it to Trump, people are forgetting the fact that these grown men running for political office acted like middle school boys. Even if the next few debates are more civil, the line was crossed on September 29, making it not only possible, but extremely likely for more childish debates.

More importantly, last night demonstrated just how polarized America has become. The fact that neither of the candidates could keep their composure for less than two hours to discuss the future of our nation is downright terrifying. Something else extremely noteworthy is that neither candidate made clear what they would specifically do in office. While we have some idea due to both of their backgrounds as either President or Vice President, there were no specific policies or actions mentioned. This is something that needs to be brought into the spotlight: what are they going to do or change if they become the next President? As citizens in this country, we HAVE to pay attention to what our officials and leaders are doing, or we won't have a say of how our own lives are lived.

So, what can WE do? The simple, yet powerful answer is to vote. With voter turnout at less than three quarters of the voting population, millions of Americans are not showing up on election day to cast their ballots. Encourage civil discussions with your friends and family members about the importance of voting and especially the importance of knowing exactly who they are voting for. Furthermore, try to not fall into the trap of biased or incorrect media that distributes falsified information. This can be tricky, but you can make sure you're getting the most accurate information by reading articles from several different sources instead of one. Finally, don't fall into the political traps the candidates and parties are setting. Look at both of the candidate's past actions, listen to the promises they make, and then decide for yourself who is more trustworthy and who has your best interest in mind.

No matter the outcome of the 2020 election, millions of Americans and, quite frankly, citizens around the world are going to be upset. The most important thing for us to do is find common ground and give each other grace. With so many issues plaguing the world, division will only make us weaker and more susceptible to new threats that arise.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1020
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

616
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199709
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20591
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments