The Upcoming Presidential Election – Elections Matter  by John R. Elwood

     The upcoming 2024 American Presidential election carries unprecedented significance, potentially shaping the nation’s governance and trajectory for decades to come.  Liberal progressives, since Woodrow Wilson’s era, view this as a culmination of over a century’s efforts. In contrast, former President Trump, and the Republican party, championing the Make American Great Again (MAGA) movement, are fighting back.  But is it enough? Why is it the most important election in our lifetime? Inflation, immigration, crime, and national security are all important reasons, and all would seem to favor the Republicans. And don’t forget the Second Amendment?

     Inflation has surged during the Biden administration. But what exactly is inflation?  It is the rate at which prices rise over time. Across America, people from all economic backgrounds – whether upper, middle, or working class – have experienced increases in the cost of everything. 

     Over the past 40 years, successive presidential administrations have aimed to maintain inflation below 2 percent. At the conclusion of former President Trump’s term, inflation stood at 1.4 percent, the lowest in decades. However, in early 2022 during the Biden administration, inflation soared to 9.1 percent, a level not seen since 1981. And remember, future inflation rates, even if lower, now include that 9% in the base. 

     This increase can be attributed to two primary factors: escalating energy costs linked to the Green New Deal and substantial fiscal policy measures such as the 1.9 trillion-dollar American Rescue Plan and the 1.750 trillion-dollar Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. As a result, Americans have been experiencing the impact of inflation directly.  Grocery prices, for instance, surged by 21 percent since the beginning of 2021 under President Biden’s leadership, marking the highest inflation rate since the Great Depression, in Roosevelt’s era. 

     Gun owners have certainly noticed that ammo is not immune from these increases.

     In the area of illegal immigration, shortly after assuming office, President Joe Biden initiated a policy that resulted in a significant increase in illegal immigration at the southern border. According to the reports, the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States has doubled under his administration, totaling approximately ten million individuals (comprising 8.5 million encounters and 1.5 million individuals who evaded detection). This influx, as noted by Fox News, surpasses the population of 38 states.  Many of these illegal immigrants lack work visas and may find employment in the informal economy, including contract labor and potentially in illicit activities.  Moreover, the surge in ten million new illegal immigrants is expected to place considerable strain on social services such as healthcare, hospitals and school capacities, thus increasing taxes on American citizens. 

     With the increase of illegal immigrants into the United States, it is reasonable to think that incidents of crime will increase between illegal incidents and American citizens.  Might an increased need for personal protection be another reason to preserve and practice the 2nd Amendment?

     According to United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, criminal incidents involving non-citizens such as assault, battery, robbery, theft, fraud, DUI, illegal drug possession, illegal entry and re-entry all saw increases from 2021-2022. Reports from cables news network Breitbart and Representative Troy Nehls, (R-Texas) suggested that Venezuela had released violent prisoners who then crossed into the US via the southern border.  Various news media outlets also highlighted instances where American citizens were victims of crimes like rape, murder, extortion, and carjacking committed by illegal immigrants.  Among those affected were U.S Representative Henry Cuellar, who was carjacked in Washington D.C., and a Secret Service agent who was robbed in southern California.  The U.S. Border Patrol noted 172 encounters in fiscal year 2023 with individuals listed on the federal government’s known or suspected terrorists list, a notable increase from 100 in 2022 and 16 in 2021.

     Besides significant domestic issues troubling the country, many experts believe the United States is closer to World War III than ever before. In 2014, in former Defense Secretary Robert Gates book entitled, “Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War”, Secretary Robert Gates stated, “I think he (Joe Biden) has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.”

     President Biden ordered the complete retreat and withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the 2001-2021 war.  The withdrawal was the most embarrassing moment in U.S. miliary history, leaving thousands of Americans and Afghans supporting the war effort behind, and an estimated seven billion dollars’ worth of weapons and equipment including an estimated 48 million dollars’ worth of ammunition. Zelgai Sajad, the former Afghan consul general in New York stated, “The Taliban are feeling power to implement their barbaric rules on the people of Afghanistan.” 

     Many experts think President Biden’s disastrous retreat and withdrawal from Afghanistan emboldened closer coordination between the “new axis of evil” (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea), and the idea that the United States is the weakest it has been for decades and they believe now is the time to make world-wide changes. 

     On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine hoping for a quick victory. After a stubborn Ukrainian force blunted Russian efforts, Iran began supplying Russia with advanced drones while North Korea provided thousands of rounds of artillery and is projected to begin deploying troops to Belarus, a Russia ally. Russia continues to bombard Ukraine and take additional ground.

     For years, by providing funds and military advisors for their operations, Iran supported its proxy forces: Hamas in Gaza; Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.  During the Trump years (2016-2020), due to U.S. sanctions, Iran did not have the funds to support Hamas’, Hezbollah’, or Houthis’ operations and the middle east remained relatively quiet. 

     In September 2023, President Biden handed over sixteen billion dollars to Iran. Shortly thereafter, Hamas launched an unprecedented and brutal attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1, 200 Israelis and kidnapping approximately 250 hostages. Additionally, Hezbollah started bombarding Israel from the north.

     Our foreign enemies are emboldened and our country has been invaded by 10 million people of which we know very little.  More reasons why we need the protection of our 2nd Amendment rights.

What is Joe Biden doing about the Second Amendment?

     In September 2023, President Biden launched the inaugural White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, aimed at curbing firearm-related incidents. Vice-President Harris oversees the office, and it is led by Stefanie Feldman, a long-time aide of President Biden, and supported by gun violence advocates Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox. President Biden’s comprehensive gun violence initiative includes:

• Prohibiting assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

• Mandating secure storage of firearms.

• Repealing immunity for gun manufacturers from liability.

     As gun owners in New York State, is this aligned with your preferences? What are former President Trump’s views on gun policy?

     The National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed President Trump in both 2016, 2020, and recently in 2024. In 2016, President Trump pledged to eliminate gun-free zones in schools and military facilities.  His current gun policy proposal advocates for a nationwide right to carry concealed firearms.     

     The 2024 presidential election is arguably the most crucial of our lifetime. To all New York State gun owners, it is crucial that you participate and VOTE. Our Second Amendment rights hinge on YOUR vote! Your vote ensures that future generations – your sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters – will enjoy the same gun rights we cherish today.

Please get out and VOTE!  YOUR VOTE DOES MATTER!