A Decisive Debate for America's Future: What’s Really at Stake in the 2024 Presidential Election
As we approach tonight’s highly anticipated presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, it’s becoming clear that this election is one of the most significant in modern U.S. history. The stakes have never been higher, not just for the future of America’s leadership, but for the very future of our country. This isn’t merely a battle of political ideologies—it’s a crossroads that will determine whether the United States continues to uphold democratic values or veers into dangerous territory where unregulated technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), undermine the well-being of millions of Americans.
What makes this debate even more critical is the increasingly urgent conversation surrounding the unchecked implementation of AI. The technological advancements that once promised efficiency and innovation are now being used to replace jobs and cut costs at the expense of workers. This shift, largely ignored by mainstream media, is already impacting countless Americans. I, myself, am a living example of how unregulated AI has displaced workers—despite over 10 years of experience as a data analyst, I’ve been unable to reenter the workforce for the past nine months.
This story isn’t unique to the tech sector. It spans across multiple industries, including fast food, customer service, and manufacturing. Companies that have invested heavily in AI technology are now streamlining their operations to recoup those costs. AI is not yet delivering the return on investment that corporations expected, so their solution is to cut their labor force. Take Intel’s recent announcement of over 15,000 layoffs as just one example of this disturbing trend that’s been unfolding over the last year.
The frightening reality is that millions of Americans are facing job displacement, and if we continue down this path of deregulation, the labor market will only become more unstable. This debate isn’t just about politics—it’s about the future of AI, the future of the American worker, and, ultimately, the future of democracy.
The Republican Perspective: Why Trump’s AI Policies Hurt American Workers
For those leaning towards voting for Donald Trump, it’s important to take a step back and ask: Will another term under his leadership truly serve your best interests? Trump’s approach to deregulation, particularly with regard to technology and AI, may seem beneficial for corporations, but it comes at a great cost to everyday Americans.
Under Trump’s previous presidency, we saw a pattern of corporate favoritism—deregulating industries that benefited from lower labor costs, fewer safety nets for workers, and more profit for big businesses. If Trump is re-elected, it’s highly probable that his administration will allow AI to grow unchecked, leading to:
Widespread Job Loss: AI is already being used to replace workers in customer service, fast food, and even technical jobs. This is no longer speculation—it’s happening. Franchise owners are replacing workers with kiosks because the rising minimum wage is too high to sustain. Similarly, companies have found that AI can provide better customer service at a fraction of the cost of human employees. Do we really want to continue down this path where more and more jobs are automated, leaving Americans without work?
Economic Inequality: Corporations are the only real winners in this unregulated AI landscape. By cutting labor costs, they’re increasing profits, while ordinary Americans struggle to keep up with rising living costs, housing shortages, and stagnant wages. This divide will only grow larger under a second Trump presidency, leading to more economic inequality and fewer opportunities for the middle class.
The Undermining of Democracy: Perhaps the most alarming consequence of unregulated AI is the potential for manipulation. AI and algorithms, when left unchecked, can be used to influence public opinion and suppress opposing voices. We’ve already seen how social media algorithms can sway public perception. Without proper regulation, AI can be weaponized to serve partisan interests and undermine democratic processes. Trump’s deregulation approach would likely allow these technologies to flourish without accountability, further eroding trust in our democratic institutions.
The Solution: A Harris Presidency and the Need for AI Accountability
On the other side of the debate, Kamala Harris presents a pathway forward—one that not only addresses the risks of unregulated AI but also champions protections for workers and upholds democratic principles.
A Harris presidency would prioritize the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act of 2024, a vital piece of legislation that would regulate AI development and ensure that it’s being used ethically and responsibly. This act would not only safeguard the American workforce from further job displacement but also provide reskilling and upskilling programs to help displaced workers transition to industries like renewable energy.
Investing in renewable energy has the dual benefit of creating new jobs while also combating climate change. At the Climate Reality Project hosted by Al Gore in Rome this past June, I became aware that it is clear that we are at a tipping point—temperatures continue to reach record highs, and without coordinated action, the consequences will be dire. A vote for Kamala Harris represents a vote for innovation that serves both the economy and the environment. Meanwhile, under Donald Trump, Project 2025 would withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, once again prioritizing corporate profits over the well-being of impacted communities around the world and the health of our planet. This decision would set us back decades, enabling multi-billion dollar corporations to continue pouring money into fossil fuels—the primary reason we are struggling to reach carbon-zero emissions by 2050. Furthermore, Donald Trump’s Project 2025 would jeopardize global climate action, as his administration seeks to eradicate any mention of "climate change," undermining our decades-long fight against global warming. The current fires raging in Southern California is just the latest example and are happening right here, right now, on our land, and there is no denying that the Earth is undergoing unprecedented, man-made climate change. It is a hard pill to swallow but an "Inconvenient Truth."
A Call to Action: The Future of America is in Your Hands
Tonight’s debate is not just about personalities or party lines. It’s about the future of the country and the world we want to create for ourselves and future generations. If we allow AI to go unregulated, if we let corporations continue to dominate without accountability, we risk losing the very essence of what makes America a democracy—opportunity, fairness, and the protection of human dignity.
So, to my fellow Americans, especially those considering voting for Donald Trump, I ask you to reflect on what’s truly at stake. This election is about more than a political ideology—it’s about the future of jobs, economic equality, and democracy itself. By voting for Kamala Harris, we can ensure that America continues to be a land of opportunity, where innovation serves the people, and not just corporate interests.
The choice is yours, but the future of America depends on it.
