OPINION – Why Kamala Harris Isn’t for the Everyday American: A Look at Her Record and Policies
Kamala Harris, a self-proclaimed advocate for equality and justice, has become a divisive figure as Vice President. A closer look at her career raises the question: is she truly for the everyday American?
Harris’s track record suggests that her policies and actions don’t always align with her public image as a defender of the people, especially given her history as a prosecutor and her decisions in office.
From Prosecutor to Politician: A Career Built on Prosecutions
Harris’s background as a prosecutor has been central to her career, but her tenure has sparked criticism for the severity of her actions, especially regarding drug-related offenses.
As San Francisco’s District Attorney and later as California’s Attorney General, she enforced policies that disproportionately affected marginalized communities, particularly Black Americans. Her office secured convictions for thousands of low-level marijuana charges, contributing to California’s high incarceration rates for nonviolent drug offenses.
In many of these cases, those convicted faced lengthy sentences that arguably did more harm than good. While the conversation around drug offenses has evolved, Harris’s history on this front hasn’t gone unnoticed by critics who feel her decisions contributed to the very disparities she now speaks against.
The IRS Expansion: Targeting Everyday Americans
One of the Biden administration’s most controversial decisions was to expand the IRS, intending to enforce tax laws more stringently, which some argue means investigating the finances of middle- and lower-class Americans. This expansion included the hiring of 80,000 new IRS agents, reportedly with Harris’s support.
While the administration argues that this measure targets high-income tax evaders, many fear it will end up affecting small business owners and individuals whose taxes were previously considered too minor to audit.
Critics view this as yet another example of Harris and the administration pushing policies that could disproportionately impact middle-class Americans, who may find themselves under increasing scrutiny.
Border Policy and Public Safety Concerns
Immigration has been one of the most contentious issues of Harris’s time as Vice President. Critics argue that the administration’s handling of the southern border has allowed a record number of undocumented individuals to enter the U.S., overwhelming resources and complicating border security.
The administration’s approach, they argue, has also shown a lack of accountability and empathy for families who have suffered tragedies linked to undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Many critics feel that the lack of substantial action on this issue has contributed to a breakdown in both trust and safety for families in border states, adding to the perception that Harris prioritizes ideology over the everyday American’s need for security.
A Disconnect with Everyday American Values
Despite her ability to connect with various communities on the campaign trail, Harris’s policies often paint a picture of a politician focused more on career advancement than on serving everyday Americans.
Her support of policies that crack down on minor tax discrepancies, her history with harsh drug penalties, and her stance on immigration reflect decisions that don’t always consider the consequences for the average citizen.
Kamala Harris may have a powerful platform to advocate for American families, but her record raises questions about who she’s truly fighting for.
For many, Harris’s policies continue to feel out of touch with the realities facing everyday Americans, from small business owners to working-class families. For a Vice President, that disconnect could prove hard to overcome.