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Does Donald Trump or Joe Biden have the better approach to Policing?
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Biden will tackle inequality within the Criminal Justice System

Biden acknowledges and will address systemic inequality: "Black mothers and fathers should feel confident that their children are safe walking the streets of America."

The Argument

Joe Biden has made it clear during his campaign that if he were to be elected, he would have a superior approach to policing. A large reason for this is Biden’s commitment to tackling inequality within the criminal justice system in order to create a more just system for Black Americans. Biden acknowledges the faults of the criminal justice system. A first focus of his is that the number of people incarcerated in this country as well as crime must be reduced.[1] The federal income saved here can be reinvested in communities. Biden argues, “Our criminal justice system cannot be just unless we root out the racial, gender, and income-based disparities in the system,” and that the “criminal justice system must be focused on redemption and rehabilitation.” He also argues that the concept of for-profit prisons is misaligned with American values. All of these points of argument acknowledge the systemic failures of the criminal justice system, which all the more supports his plans for the system once elected.[2] Donald Trump, comparatively, does not have the sensitivity, empathy, or tact to handle these issues, and has made it clear from his actions that Black America is not a priority. Therefore, this puts Biden in a superior position to have a more satisfactory response to criminal justice issues to the American public.

Counter arguments

Joe Biden is merely articulating what the American and Democratic public wants to hear and is not tangibly different than President Trump.[3] His own Vice President, Kamala Harris, rightly criticized him on his response to race. Furthermore, Joe Biden has been a politician amongst the facets of Washington for decades, and to this point has seen nothing of note done for the criminal justice system, even while working under a Black president. Donald Trump’s thoughts on policing and criminal justice are in comparison straightforward and not full of empty promises.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://joebiden.com/blackamerica/
  2. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/10/873509374/joe-biden-has-come-a-long-way-on-criminal-justice-reform-progressives-want-more
  3. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/03/joe-bidens-criminal-justice-record-helps-trump.html
This page was last edited on Friday, 25 Sep 2020 at 15:25 UTC

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