A Grim Reality: Voting for Democrats in 2024 is Still Better Than a Vote for Trump

As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, many voters find themselves caught in a difficult moral dilemma. The Democratic Party, often viewed as the more progressive of the two major political forces in America, has over the years been complicit in supporting policies and actions that are ethically questionable, if not outright reprehensible. Yet, as disillusionment with both parties grows, the specter of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House forces voters to make a hard choice.

While the Democrats have undoubtedly been involved in actions that undermine their claims to moral superiority, voting for them in 2024 remains a better option than supporting Trump. The reality is harsh and deeply unsatisfying, but the threat posed by a Trump presidency a danger to democratic norms, civil liberties, and global stability outweighs the significant flaws within the Democratic Party. Though that threat appears less pervasive given the moral redundancy of the Biden administration and by extension Presidential Candidate Harris, the threat remains unprecedently destructive.

The Democrats’ Complicity in Heinous Atrocities

It is important to confront the uncomfortable truth: the Democratic Party has, at times, supported or directly engaged in policies that have led to heinous consequences, both domestically and internationally.

One glaring example is the continuation of U.S. military interventions in the Middle East. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and drone strikes across countries like Yemen and Somalia have resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of civilian lives. While President Obama, a Democrat, promised an end to “dumb wars,” his administration expanded drone warfare, which led to numerous civilian casualties and the destabilization of entire regions.

Additionally, the Democratic Party’s tacit support for Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, including the backing of military aid despite repeated human rights violations, war crimes and in very real likelihood genocide has left a stain on its human rights record. While some Democrats have spoken out against these atrocities, the party as a whole has done little to substantively alter U.S. foreign policy in this regard, in fact in the vast majority if instances these policies have escalated over the last 4 years.

Domestically, the Democrats have also supported policies that disproportionately harmed marginalized communities. The 1994 Crime Bill, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, is one of the most notorious examples. While it was promoted as a solution to rising crime rates, it resulted in the mass incarceration of Black and brown Americans, further entrenching systemic racism within the criminal justice system. Although Democrats today have largely acknowledged the failures of this policy, the damage it caused is undeniable.

In economic policy, the party has often sided with corporate interests over the needs of working-class Americans. Under both the Obama and Biden administrations, Wall Street was bailed out after the 2008 financial crisis, but many working Americans were left to struggle with unemployment, stagnant wages, and rising costs of living. This prioritization of corporate welfare over the public good has led to growing inequality and frustration among voters who feel abandoned by the Democratic Party.

Why Trump is Worse

Despite the deep flaws in the Democratic Party which will endure and likely worsen, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency represents a far greater and more immediate threat to the core values of American democracy and the global order.

First and foremost, Trump’s blatant disregard for democratic institutions is a red flag that cannot be ignored. His attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election culminating in the January 6th insurrection demonstrated an unprecedented willingness to undermine the democratic process itself. Trump’s attacks on the judiciary, the free press, and the peaceful transfer of power set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democracy in America. Re-electing him would further legitimize authoritarian tendencies and could weaken the country’s democratic foundations beyond repair.

Trump’s administration was also defined by a divisive and toxic political environment. His rhetoric emboldened white supremacists, stoked racial tensions, and exacerbated polarization. While the Democrats may be guilty of maintaining systemic injustices, Trump actively fueled hatred and division, making it far more difficult to address the issues of inequality and racial injustice that plague the United States.

Moreover, Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic is another reminder of his incompetence in crisis management. Under his leadership, the pandemic response was riddled with misinformation, political interference, and a lack of coordination, leading to unnecessary deaths and economic hardship. This failure highlights the risks of re-electing someone who prioritizes personal loyalty and image over the well-being of the country.

Internationally, Trump’s “America First” policies undermined alliances and global cooperation. His withdrawal from key international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord, and his admiration for authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin weakened America’s standing in the world. While Democrats are far from perfect on foreign policy, Trump’s isolationist and erratic approach posed a danger to global stability and climate action.

The suffering of Palestinians, Arabs in general and the people of the middle east will undoubtedly worsen with Trumps election. The former president has made no attempt to hide his genocidal rhetoric against the people of Gaza and his election will surely embolden Netanyahu and his fellow extremists in the Israeli cabinet. It may appear impossible to imagine a worse predicament for Palestinians, sadly the truth is a Trump presidency quenches the last faint light of hope for a 2 state solution and some modicum of justice for the Palestinian people.

The Bitter Choice

For many progressive and left-leaning voters, the idea of voting for the Democratic Party in 2024 feels like a betrayal of their values. After all, supporting a party complicit in war crimes, corporate welfare, and systemic injustice is a morally compromising position. However, the reality of the American political system often forces voters into a binary choice, where abstaining or voting third-party can result in a worse outcome namely, the return of Donald Trump.

The grim truth is that the Democrats, for all their flaws, are at least susceptible to internal pressure from progressives and grassroots movements. Over the past few years, progressive voices within the Democratic Party have gained traction, advocating for policies like Medicare for All, criminal justice reform, and climate action through the Green New Deal. While these initiatives are far from becoming law, there is at least a space within the Democratic Party for meaningful dialogue and change.

Under Trump, such possibilities would be effectively extinguished. Trump’s Republican Party has largely rejected climate science, doubled down on anti-immigrant policies, and catered almost exclusively to the interests of the wealthiest Americans. Worse, a Trump victory in 2024 would likely embolden far-right movements across the country and the world, further accelerating the erosion of civil liberties and democratic norms.

Voting for the Democrats in 2024, then, is not an enthusiastic endorsement of their record. Rather, it is a pragmatic choice to prevent a return to the chaos, division, and authoritarianism that characterized Trump’s presidency. The Democratic Party may be flawed, but the alternative is far worse a government led by a man who has shown no regard for the rule of law, human rights, or basic decency.

Holding Democrats Accountable

It is also important to recognize that voting for the Democrats does not mean giving them a free pass. In the face of their complicity in heinous atrocities, voters must continue to push for accountability and reform within the party. Grassroots movements, activist organizations, and progressive leaders must hold Democratic politicians to their promises and demand that they live up to the values they espouse.

For those who are voting Democrat in 2024 out of necessity, the fight does not end on election day. It is crucial to continue advocating for systemic change, ensuring that the Democratic Party does not revert to complacency or corporate appeasement once Trump is defeated.

Conclusion: A Difficult, Necessary Choice

In a perfect world, voters would not have to choose between two imperfect parties both in active support of war crimes one tainted by complicity in atrocities, and the other led by a man who threatens the very foundations of democracy. But in the reality of the 2024 U.S. election, the choice is stark. As painful as it may be, voting for the Democrats remains the lesser of two evils, offering a glimmer of hope for progress and a defence against authoritarianism.

It is a difficult and disheartening decision, but for those who care about the future of American democracy, civil rights, and global stability, it is a necessary one. Voting Democrat may not feel like a moral victory, but it is a vital step in preventing the far greater damage that a second Trump presidency would inflict.