This upcoming Friday President Biden will travel to Michigan where he has planned to sign an executive order with a primarily labor-centric focus. This order instructs federal authorities to favor projects that align with new labor regulations, encompassing elements such as worker benefits and optional union allegiance. One of the key features of these projects includes the provision of child and dependent care, health insurance, paid leave, and retirement benefits. Furthermore, the order suggests that federal agencies should attempt to stimulate labor-friendly protocols to the maximum extent, incorporating appraisal criteria related to said protocols.
Biden’s fresh mandate also prompts these agencies to ponder upon introducing new labor norms designed for manufacturing grants. Despite such intentions, the effectiveness and impact of these new labor norms and their positive impact on the community stand vague and unproven. The administration, on its end, has marketed this directive as a robust framework of priorities taken up by any government to bolster the open and free choice to become part of a union through federal assistance and projects.
Friday’s expedition to Washtenaw County is set to be Biden’s maiden venture into Michigan since he unexpectedly withdrew from the race for reelection on the 21st of July. Shortly after his withdrawal, he openly endorsed Kamala Harris, previously a U.S. senator representing California, as the Democratic nominee. This move, while seeming strategic on paper, left many Democratic supporters around the nation in a state of confusion and even frustration.
Recently conducted statewide polls commissioned by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV (Channel 4) indicated somewhat shocking results. The recent findings of this poll, which involved 600 probable voters, unveiled a minor edge for former president Trump over Harris in Michigan at around 44.7% to 43.5%. It’s troubling to witness such polling data considering the many controversies and issues linked to the former administration.
The poll comes with a margin of error of around ±4%. Contributors to the poll were questioned about what they perceived as the paramount issue for the upcoming election. Jobs and the economy were cited as the main concern by almost a fifth of participants, thereby emerging as the top answer. This data clearly indicates a lack of confidence in the existing administration’s ability to revitalize the economy post-pandemic.
Inflation and the cost of living was the third most commonly chosen response, claimed by approximately 12% of respondents. In total, these two factors (jobs/economy and inflation/cost of living) were chosen as the most significant subject by roughly 32% of the participants. This makes it the top concern for nearly one in every three people, an increase from 27% in a similar survey carried out in July.
The narrative that Biden and Harris ‘successfully’ carry the working class’s interests at heart seems to fall short when dug deeper into these figures. The American populace puts a major emphasis on jobs and economic stability, clearly expecting more from a Democratic government that boasts a pro-labor platform.
According to a recent disclosure from the U.S. Labor Department, the country experienced an increase in job addition. Approximately 142,000 jobs were added within a month, an elevation from the 89,000 jobs added in July. Yet, many argue that these numbers simply represent a natural rebound and fail to give credit to the current administration.
Meanwhile, nationwide unemployment rates were reported to have seen a minor decline, descending from 4.3% in July, a value that stood as a pinnacle in almost three years, to 4.2%. However, viewing these statistics in isolation could be misleading, given the complexities and broader economic concerns our nation currently faces.
Victoria LaCivita, Trump’s campaign representative in Michigan, didn’t hold back in expressing her opinion on Biden’s impending Michigan visit. According to her statement on Friday, Biden’s trip simply serves as a revolting reminder for all Michiganders of what awaits under a Harris presidency: continued unprecedented inflation, sky-high prices and a potential loss of jobs due to shift towards electric vehicles.
Ironically, Biden last paid a formal visit to Michigan on a campaign rally conducted in Detroit on July 12. A distinct contrast can be observed in the enthusiasm and support demonstrated during Biden’s last visit as compared to the recent discontentment and disappointment expressed by Michiganders.
In the light of the new labor standards and the presidential selection, the thought that either personal gain or the interests of specific corporations might be shaping these policies becomes an alarming concern. The common people, who were once viewed as the backbone of this nation, are seemingly being overlooked in favor of grand words, empty promises and unease about the future direction of our country.
These dramatic changes in presidential narratives and labor laws, coupled with the negative sentiments towards Biden and Harris Presidency, raises serious questions. The citizens are left wondering about the authenticity and relatability of these high-power movements towards the majority of the American populace and the day-to-day problems they face.