October into November: My Thoughts on American Politics • 從10月到11月：我對美國政治的想法

Hello, my name is Halden Levin, and you are listening to Little Dragon’s Journey. 你好！我叫李靜辰，你正在聽小龍的旅程。

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Dear Reader,

In light of the presidential election tomorrow, I decided to change things up a bit today. Instead of sharing my usual reflection on the events of the past month moving into the next, I will be sharing a few of my thoughts on American politics and my views on it all.

As you most likely already know, the United States’ Presidential/General Election occurred this year throughout September, October, and November. The official Election Day was on November 3, 2020, but due to the pandemic, there was exponential growth in the number of absentee ballots cast. During this time of uncertainty and division, I decided to sit down and really consider who I am and where I stand in relation to politics in America. I think it is important and beneficial for us all to take a moment to really consider why we do what we do, why we believe what we believe, just why because explaining why is oftentimes more difficult and complicated then we may initially think. These are the following questions I decided to carefully consider and answer, and I challenge all of you to do so as well (ask yourself why, and answer with much thought and consideration):

1. Why am I unaffiliated with any political party?

2. Why did I vote for Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Primary?

3. Why did I vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 General Election?

4. Why can I simultaneously understand and not understand why people vote for Donald Trump?

Please know I am all for engaging in respectful and constructive arguments, all for listening to one another. I respect the fact that we all have differences in thought and opinion; I hope you do so as well.

Why am I unaffiliated with any political party?

I registered to vote in March of 2020 when I voted early in the primary for the 2020 general election. Prior, I had put some thought into where I stand politically. For one, the political positions of my immediate and extended family members influenced my political standing. In the interest of maintaining their privacy, I won’t go into any further detail on this matter. However, I will say I am grateful to my parents, and others who’ve been with me and caring for me my whole life, for teaching me to be open-minded.

Of equal importance, who I am and what I’ve learned in my eighteen years of life must also be taken into account. When I was a sophomore in high school, I took AP US History (commonly referred to as APUSH). Towards the beginning of the course, I remember learning about our first President, George Washington, and quite importantly, his farewell address to the nation. Upon retiring from the presidency, setting the two four-year term precedent, Washington wrote a short, eloquent message to the nation, expressing three major points: the importance of maintaining unity as a country, maintaining loyalty to the nation over political parties, and avoiding dangerous foreign influences. In the tumultuous time we live in today, his message should be read and heard again.

In part, I am registered unaffiliated because I believe in maintaining loyalty to our nation and democracy over maintaining loyalty to a political party. What I mean by that is that when I vote what I’m looking for in a candidate isn’t necessarily being affiliated to a certain political party, but rather (1) Do they demonstrate strong leadership characteristics and capabilities? and (2) Will their proposed policies and policy positions promote progress and positive change in our local, national, and international communities? Many Americans vote for a candidate just because of their party affiliation, even if they don’t believe in the candidate’s abilities, and this is dangerous, maintaining loyalty to a political party over valuing the wellbeing of our nation and the international community. I will vote for a Democrat. I will vote for a Republican. I will vote for whoever demonstrates the ability to be a strong, positive leader.

Why did I vote for Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Primary?

My first vote for a presidential candidate went to Elizabeth Warren.

When I watched Elizabeth Warren develop in the public eye through her campaign, I felt empowered by her because, even though we are different people, I was able to relate to her more so than with any other candidate, relate to her through her personality, ambition, and lifestyle.

I won’t deny that part of me wondered if I was making the right decision. I believed in her character and leadership skills, believed in her ability to develop policy that will positively impact the world, but I was uncertain too. By the time I voted in the North Carolina primary, I’d already seen the results coming in from the primaries in other states, and although initially it appeared that Elizabeth Warren was receiving a substantial amount of support across the nation, later on she appeared to be slipping in the polls and in the primary results. Fear in part drove that. The primary concern of many democrats was beating Donald Trump, and due to her more progressive stances, as well as her gender, Elizabeth Warren didn’t seem like the candidate who could win the presidency. I think too, the fact that Hillary Clinton didn’t win the presidency in 2016, still lingered on peoples’ minds; can a woman win the presidency, especially during this period of deep division in our country? To be honest, I considered this question more than once because I didn’t want to waste my vote on a candidate unable to defeat Donald Trump.

Ultimately, I went with my gut. I voted for Elizabeth Warren, and I have no regrets. She is a strong, intelligent woman, who is passionate about policy and possesses progressive views beneficial to addressing some of the major issues our nation faces. I believed then and believe now that Elizabeth Warren would be a strong leader for our nation.

Why did I vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 General Election?

I voted for Biden not because he is a Democrat, not because he is perfect, not because I agree with him on every policy issue, but because he is a leader and he can bring unity to our country, the country that has been thrown into division and turmoil under the Trump Administration. Republican candidate or Democratic candidate, it doesn’t matter; Trump has failed to support the American people as a whole, broken the law, and furthered the division in our country. I voted for Biden because he is who we need right now. He will not only support his own constituents, but all the American people to the best of his ability.

Trump needs to take time addressing his own weaknesses and insecurities before he is able to be a leader and support the American people and international community. He said he would drain the swamp, but he is the swamp monster; shamelessness is his greatest strength.

Why can I simultaneously understand and not understand why people voted for Donald Trump?

Answer: Why would you vote for a dictator in a democracy?

Peacefully Yours,

Halden

Transition Music（音樂）

Please visit haldenlevin.wixsite.com/littledragonjourney to access the transcript of this episode, and know you are always welcome to contact me through my website, email, or social media. Thank you for joining Little Dragon’s Journey. 謝謝你們參加小龍的旅程。拜拜！