From several surveys and data sources, these are the biggest issues Americans are concerned about in the 2016 Election:
The Economy
This area is detailed below.
- Joblessness (has fallen)
- Employment (remains depressed)
- Economic Output (has rebounded)
- Household Income (has fallen)
- Inflation (tame, flat)
- Home Prices (growing, but not back to previous highs)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, St. Louis Federal Reserve,
Current Population Survey
Environment & Science
- Climate Change
- Energy Policy
- Science Budget/R&D
Criminal Justice
- Shootings
- Prisons
- Police Killings
- 2nd Amendment Rights/Gun Control
Health Care
- Affordable Care Act/Obamacare (repeal, expand)
- Pharmaceutical Costs (on new and generic drugs)
- Medicare (spending and restructuring)
- Medicaid (expansion, reduction, privatization)
Privacy & Data Security
- Federal Surveillance of Data
- Patriotic Act/Metadata Gathering
- Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
- FCC Neutrality Rules
Education
Only 4% of Americans surveyed consider education the nation’s most important issue which is likely why you do not see much on education from candidates. What has been presented by candidates is:
- College Affordability
- Eliminating Tuition
- Accrediting Nontraditional Education
- Common Core Curriculum Standards (by state)
- Standardized Testing
Religion & Social Issues
The 2016 election will likely not be dominated by faith issues after Planned Parenthood stopped selling fetal tissue, and the Supreme Court settled same-sex marriage. Although candidates continue to have faith-based platforms.
- Abortion Access
- Planned Parenthood Funding
- Addition of the Equality Act to Civil Rights Act of 1964
From a 2015 Gallup Poll, this is how respondents ranked issues important to them. Clearly, the economy remains the highest consistent issue among all Americans. This makes sense because falling under the umbrella of “the economy” are things that are up close and personal to people and affect their daily lives.
For example, there are less jobs available. Not good news to the many unemployed. Although new jobs continue to be added every month, the unemployment rate has remained flat for ten years. In March of 2006, the rate was 4.7%. In March of 2016 the rate is 5%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Due to joblessness, household income has fallen. Home prices are still high and the American dream of home ownership is far beyond their reach.
It’s very easy to understand how this trickle down effect has made Americans loo for candidates that they believe have a “fix” for these major economic issues. Although an easy fix is highly unlikely. It will take years to set programs into motion to budge these figures into a positive zone.
Before you make the important decision on who you believe is the best choice for the most powerful position in the land–know and understand the issues that are important to you. Make sure your candidate is closely aligned with your ideological beliefs in the areas outlined above.
The more you know.
DISCLAIMER:
Feminine Collective’s writers may offer general information on election, voting processes, and issues on the Election 2016. Feminine Collective does not endorse any candidate or political party. The words written by our writers are entirely their own opinion.
