100 Reasons Not To Vote For Donald Trump

I ruminate over my ancestors a lot. I wonder. What did they think about as they fought through the thick, oppressive, and toxically racist environment through the eras here? Do you think about your kids, grandkids or others’ kids? Do you ponder about the future and how those people that do not exist yet will look at us? I obsess over the future. Selfishly, I want to be a jewel in my family history and, more broadly, I want people to look back on the work we put in with reverence. I think about the affection I have for Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, Malcolm X (el–Hajj Malik el–Shabazz), John Lewis, Earl Graves, Fannie Lou Hamer and so many more. I love them, and I am eternally grateful for their strides, courage and supreme sacrifices.

Every step of the way, right here in America, we have been met with resistance, hostility and debilitating racism. But what are we willing to give up to stop further oppression? For now, do not worry about that. Just ponder how the president could impact your life. Then consider how Donald Trump – who we know by now – could be shaping your life, children’s lives, the unborn’s existence, and those that have not even been conceived. No matter how you see yourself – crown jewel or clown – or your family forty years from now, the choices made in this election will reverberate for generations.

Here’s a list of 100 reasons why individuals who are poor, middle class, working class, upper middle, slightly rich,  African American, LGBTQ+, women, or just plain ol’ human might consider not voting for Donald J. Trump for president:

1. Cuts to Social Programs: Trump’s policies have included proposals to cut funding to social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance, which disproportionately affect low-income families.
2. Healthcare Access: Repeated efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could leave millions of Americans without health coverage, disproportionately affecting low-income, minority, and female populations.
3. Tax Cuts Favoring the Wealthy: His tax reform primarily benefited corporations and the wealthiest Americans, providing less relief to working-class and middle-class families.
4. Minimum Wage Opposition: Trump has historically opposed raising the federal minimum wage, keeping it at a level that is not a living wage for many.
5. Affordable Housing: Trump’s administration has rolled back regulations designed to promote affordable housing access.
6. Environmental Justice: The rollback of environmental protections has disproportionately harmed low-income communities and communities of color that are more likely to live near industrial pollution.
7. Education Cuts: The Trump administration proposed cuts to public school funding while promoting private school vouchers, which could undermine public education systems.
8. Women’s Rights: His administration has taken steps to restrict reproductive rights, including attempting to defund Planned Parenthood and imposing restrictions on abortion access.
9. Police Brutality: Trump’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement, including calls for “law and order,” has been seen as encouraging police violence and ignoring systemic racism in policing.
10. Lack of Focus on Equal Pay: During his presidency, there was little to no action taken to address the wage gap between men and women, especially affecting women of color.
11. Civil Rights Rollbacks: His administration attempted to roll back key civil rights protections in areas such as housing and education.
12. COVID-19 Response: His administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted low-income and minority communities, both in terms of health outcomes and economic fallout.
13. Immigration Policies: Trump’s aggressive immigration policies and rhetoric have targeted communities of color, particularly Latinos and Africans.
14. Voter Suppression: His rhetoric and actions have supported efforts to suppress voting rights, particularly for African Americans and other marginalized communities.
15. Lack of Support for Unions: Trump’s administration weakened labor unions, which historically have been a key source of support for working-class people.
16. Climate Change Denial: His dismissal of climate change disproportionately affects poorer and minority communities, which are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
17. Attacks on the Affordable Care Act: Efforts to dismantle the ACA could result in millions losing health insurance, including low-income and minority populations.
18. Privatization of Prisons: His administration supported the expansion of private prisons, which disproportionately incarcerate African Americans and Latinos.
19. Housing Discrimination: Trump’s administration weakened enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, making it harder for minorities to challenge discriminatory practices.
20. Student Loan Crisis: Trump did not make meaningful progress in addressing the student loan crisis, which disproportionately affects women and minorities.
21. Weakened Worker Protections: Trump’s policies rolled back worker safety regulations, which disproportionately affect low-wage and essential workers.
22. Racially Divisive Rhetoric: His rhetoric on race often stoked division and racial tensions, which undermined social cohesion and equality.
23. Undermining Women’s Healthcare: The administration weakened the ACA’s contraception mandate, making it harder for women to access affordable birth control.
24. Inequality in Tax Relief: Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy widened income inequality, leaving lower- and middle-income Americans with relatively little benefit.
25. Rolling Back Financial Protections: He rolled back regulations on payday lenders, which prey on low-income individuals.
26. Ineffective Criminal Justice Reform: Despite some bipartisan reforms, Trump’s criminal justice policies largely failed to address systemic issues that disproportionately affect African Americans.
27. Attacks on DACA: His efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program placed young immigrants, often from poor or working-class backgrounds, in jeopardy.
28. Refusal to Address Gun Violence: Trump refused to seriously address gun control, which disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities.
29. Dismantling Workplace Safety Regulations: The rollback of workplace safety standards particularly affects low-income workers in dangerous industries.
30. Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights: The Trump administration rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people, in healthcare and employment.
31. Poor Economic Recovery for Minorities: Economic gains under Trump disproportionately benefited white Americans, leaving many African Americans and Latinos behind.
32. Cuts to Mental Health Programs: Mental health services, especially important for low-income families, faced budget cuts under his administration.
33. Lack of Affordable Childcare Solutions: Trump did not advance policies to make childcare more affordable, which particularly impacts working women.
34. Unemployment Insurance Cuts: His administration supported cuts to unemployment insurance, reducing benefits that help low-income and working-class individuals.
35. Mishandling of Racial Violence: His handling of racially motivated violence, including the Charlottesville incident, was widely criticized as insufficient and inflammatory.
36. Disregard for Indigenous Rights: Trump’s policies disregarded the sovereignty and rights of Native American communities, including environmental protections on their lands.
37. Work Requirements for Welfare: He supported imposing work requirements on welfare recipients, which disproportionately harms single mothers and low-income families.
38. Food Stamp Cuts: Trump sought cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would have taken food assistance away from millions of low-income Americans.
39. Hostility Toward Refugees: His administration severely limited refugee resettlement, affecting people from war-torn or impoverished countries.
40. Inequitable Distribution of Tax Breaks: Tax breaks provided under Trump’s policies were skewed toward the wealthiest Americans, widening the wealth gap.
41. Dismissal of Gender Equality: Trump frequently made dismissive remarks about gender equality, contributing to a culture of sexism and undermining women’s progress.
42. Lack of Action on Paycheck Fairness: His administration did not advance legislation to close the gender pay gap, which disproportionately affects women of color.
43. Opposition to Paid Family Leave: Trump did not prioritize policies that would expand paid family leave for working parents.
44. Failure to Address Student Debt: The administration did little to relieve the growing student debt burden, which disproportionately affects low-income and minority students.
45. Ignoring Domestic Violence Crisis: There was little focus on addressing domestic violence, an issue that disproportionately affects women.
46. Trade War with China: The trade war hurt farmers, many of whom are part of the working class and saw reduced income from lost markets.
47. Economic Recession Impact: His handling of the economy, particularly during COVID-19, resulted in a recession that hit the poorest Americans hardest.
48. Anti-Union Policies: Trump’s NLRB appointments weakened union power, reducing workplace protections for many.
49. Attacks on Disability Rights: His administration sought to cut funding to disability programs, which help low-income and working-class families.
50. Rhetoric Against Immigrants: His inflammatory rhetoric against immigrants stoked division and fear, disproportionately affecting communities of color.
51. Failure to Raise Social Security: Trump did not push for meaningful increases in Social Security benefits, which are essential for many elderly and low-income people.
52. Banning Critical Race Theory: His opposition to teaching critical race theory limits efforts to address systemic racism and improve race relations.
53. Opposition to Rent Control: Trump’s administration did not support rent control measures, which could help low-income renters in cities with high housing costs.
54. Corporate Deregulation: Deregulation of corporations, including in industries like coal and oil, often prioritized profits over worker safety and environmental health, harming poor communities.
55. Unaddressed Food Insecurity: The administration did little to address growing food insecurity among low-income families, especially during the pandemic.
56. Lack of Affordable Healthcare Initiatives: No major initiatives were introduced to reduce healthcare costs, which disproportionately hurt low-income individuals.
57. Disregard for Mental Health Crisis: Trump did not significantly address the growing mental health crisis, which affects low-income and minority communities.
58. Weak Support for Infrastructure: Infrastructure proposals under Trump did not prioritize funding for public transportation, which many poor and working-class individuals rely on.
59. Encouragement of White Nationalism: His rhetoric and reluctance to denounce white nationalist groups emboldened racist movements, harming communities of color.
60. Rejection of Affirmative Action: Trump’s administration worked against affirmative action policies that seek to create equal opportunities for minorities and women.
61. Cuts to Legal Aid Programs: Reduced funding for legal aid left low-income individuals with fewer resources to navigate the justice system.
62. No Action on Predatory Lending: His administration allowed predatory lending practices to continue, disproportionately affecting low-income families.
63. Failure to Reform Drug Laws: Despite bipartisan support for reform, Trump did not take meaningful steps to address drug laws that disproportionately affect communities of color.
64. Opposition to Climate Action: The administration’s opposition to climate action disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities facing environmental hazards.
65. Elimination of Pandemic Office: By eliminating the global health security office, Trump weakened the country’s preparedness for pandemics, which hit low-income and minority communities hardest.
66. Refusal to Extend the Voting Rights Act: Trump did not support renewing or strengthening the Voting Rights Act, which is critical to ensuring African Americans and other minorities can vote freely.
67. Failure to Address Homelessness: Trump did not advance meaningful policies to reduce homelessness, which disproportionately affects African Americans and veterans.
68. Hostility Toward Public Transit: His policies did not prioritize improving public transit systems, which are essential for low-income, working-class, and urban populations.
69. Mismanagement of Disaster Relief: His administration’s handling of disaster relief, particularly in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, showed neglect for vulnerable populations.
70. Rejection of Police Reform: Trump opposed key elements of police reform that would address systemic racism and reduce violence against African Americans.
71. Opposition to Voting by Mail: Trump’s opposition to expanding voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for many poor and working-class individuals to vote safely.
72. Lack of Job Training Programs: The administration did not advance significant programs for job retraining and skills development, which could have helped workers displaced by automation and trade policies.
73. Tax Breaks for Real Estate Developers: Policies such as the Opportunity Zones primarily benefited wealthy developers rather than low-income communities.
74. Gender-Based Violence: Trump’s administration did not prioritize action on gender-based violence, affecting many women, especially in low-income communities.
75. Unaddressed Wage Stagnation: The Trump administration did not address wage stagnation, which disproportionately affects working-class and middle-class Americans.
76. Racial Gerrymandering Support: The administration supported redistricting efforts that disenfranchised minority voters.
77. Inaction on Corporate Welfare: Trump’s tax cuts provided subsidies to large corporations while offering little to low-income workers.
78. Weakened Consumer Protections: Rolling back consumer protections harmed poor and working-class individuals who are more vulnerable to financial exploitation.
79. Attacks on Diversity Programs: Trump’s administration worked to dismantle diversity programs in government and corporate sectors, affecting opportunities for minorities and women.
80. No Paid Sick Leave Expansion: The administration did not advance paid sick leave policies, which disproportionately harm low-income workers who cannot afford to take time off.
81. Erosion of Public Health Services: Cuts to public health services disproportionately impacted low-income and minority communities that rely on them.
82. Weakened Voting Rights Protections: Trump’s support for restrictive voting laws disproportionately affected African Americans and other marginalized groups.
83. No Action on Childcare Costs: His administration did not take meaningful action to reduce the rising costs of childcare, which impacts working families, particularly women.
84. Failure to Address College Affordability: Trump did not push policies to make college more affordable for low-income students, worsening student debt.
85. Attacks on Affirmative Housing Measures: Trump rolled back policies intended to combat housing segregation, making it harder for African Americans to access fair housing.
86. Rescinding Clean Water Protections: The rollback of clean water protections disproportionately harms communities that already struggle with clean water access.
87. Dismissal of Black Female Leadership: Trump frequently disrespected and dismissed Black women in leadership positions, undermining their credibility and contributions.
88. Denial of Systemic Racism: Trump’s refusal to acknowledge systemic racism prevents addressing inequalities that affect African Americans and other communities of color.
89. Weak Enforcement of Fair Pay Laws: His administration did little to enforce laws designed to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.
90. Cuts to School Nutrition Programs: Proposed cuts to school nutrition programs would have disproportionately impacted low-income children who rely on free or reduced-price meals.
91. Weak LGBTQ+ Protections: Trump’s policies rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, affecting their employment, healthcare, and civil rights.
92. Neglect of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): While Trump claimed to support HBCUs, many felt his administration did not provide significant or meaningful increases in funding.
93. Weakened Emergency Response Programs: Cuts to emergency response programs under Trump left poor communities vulnerable to disasters.
94. Anti-Worker Policies: Trump’s administration supported “right-to-work” laws, which undermine unions and reduce wages and benefits for workers.
95. Weak Gun Control Legislation: His inaction on gun control disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities that suffer higher rates of gun violence.
96. Failure to Tackle Hunger: Trump’s administration did not take significant steps to address rising food insecurity, which disproportionately affects African American and Latino communities.
97. Undermining of Obamacare Protections: By trying to dismantle the ACA, Trump’s policies threatened protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
98. Lack of Investment in Public Schools: His administration’s focus on charter schools and private vouchers detracted from much-needed investment in public education.
99. Criminalization of Poverty: Former President Donald Trump’s plan to end homelessness is to criminalize it.
100. You pick the 100th reason…