As President Joe Biden moves into his first year in the White House, he has been implementing sweeping policies in order to rekindle the American economy, containing many controversial mandates that have been the foundation of his ambitious plan. Throughout his career, Biden has relied upon government regulations and enforced policies to uphold his vision of an equitable society, often to herculean success, and now he’s betting it all on mandates to do the same as America is met with its greatest challenge in recent history.
In this article, we will explore why Joe Biden is gambling his political future on the ambitious list of mandates, and dive into the possible long-term implications of his strategy.
Background and Context
Joe Biden is no stranger to mandates, having served as Vice President in the Obama administration, which had a track record of successful government regulations. During his time in office, Biden was especially passionate about implementing sweeping policy changes for the betterment of people’s lives, in particular through the Affordable Care Act, which holds even greater importance today during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Now as President, Biden is relying upon his tried-and-true mandate strategies, but taking it to the next level with a greater degree of regulations that some perceive as too aggressive. Through the ambitious list of mandates, Biden is proposing a sweeping transformation of the American economy, one that some of his critics have labeled as “bold,” while others think of it as highly risky.
The Re-emergence of Mandates in Biden’s Plan
Biden’s plan includes a resurgence of hard-hitting mandates across a multitude of areas to tackle some of the key issues facing the nation, such as unemployment, health insurance, and foreign trade:
Unemployment
Biden has brought back the idea of enhanced unemployment payments, jolting the federal government in a continued effort to mitigate job loss and the financial strain associated with it. He has also proposed a higher minimum wage, although states and localities have the ultimate control over that power.
Health Insurance
As the healthcare system battles with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Biden is encouraging state governments to give access to Medicaid and health insurance subsidies to those who cannot afford it. Biden also wants to lower prescription drug costs and provide tax credits for families and individuals so they can purchase health insurance.
Foreign Trade
Perhaps one of the most consequential mandates that Biden is proposing is to implement strict trade regulations and get tough with countries that hold the power of predatory trading practices. By shutting down certain loopholes that allow unfairness in global trade, Biden hopes to protect American jobs and stimulate an effective rate of competition.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Where there is risk, there is reward, and this couldn’t be any truer for Biden’s plan through a series of mandates. On one hand, if successful, Biden’s strategy could yield a much more secure future for the nation and its people, especially in areas of post-COVID recovery, healthcare, and economic growth. On the other, if Biden’s ambitious plan fails, it could prove catastrophic to his political future and even jeopardize the regeneration of the economy.
Advantages of Biden’s Mandates:
• Sets higher standards on healthcare, employment, and education
• Potentially reduces unemployment
• Increases health insurance availability
• Reduces prescription drug costs
• Protects US jobs
• Stimulates fair global trade
Disadvantages of Biden’s Mandates:
• Increased federal spending
• Possible overregulation
• Expected opposition by Biden’s political adversaries
• Polarizing effects due to socio-economic disparities
• Risk of substantial job loss
• Tax increases for households
The Politics Behind Biden’s Mandates
Biding his time throughout his career, Biden is now playing a quick hand of cards as he moves to permanently cement his legacy as President. Flourishing from the legacy of the Obama administration and his own pedigree, he is calling upon the same “get things done” attitude that he used to make his mark on history. Some might even argue that Biden is gambling his political future on mandates with this bold move.
More so than Biden, however, the stakes are even higher for the people of America, who Biden has sworn to serve. The success of his mandates will determine whether he can indeed deliver on his vision of an America that is “building back better” and secure a fairer future for all. The results of his plan could form the social and economic blueprint of the US for generations to come.
Joe Biden is wagering his political future on a variety of mandates to stimulate stronger course of action for the nation, venturing into the unknown with a radical proposal he has been developing for decades. If Biden can successfully implement these strategies, he could bring about an unprecedented level of prosperity for a nation demanding justice. But if Biden fails, the consequences could be dire for America’s future and his own personal legacy. With America’s future at stake, the eyes of the country have turned to the President as he embarks on his most ambitious move yet.
