RNC Debate – They Weren’t Speaking to Me

Written by Makeda Scott, Communications Associate at Family Values At Work

On August 23, I, like many individuals, tuned in to the Republican presidential candidates debate. Despite my curiosity, I found myself increasingly disconnected as the debate unfolded. It was evident that the candidates weren’t addressing issues that are close to my heart and crucial for my family. Clearly, they weren’t speaking to people like me, and their indifference to our concerns was palpable throughout the entire event.

What I watched was a barrage of arguments, talking over each other, and a glaring absence of discussions on matters that impact everyday households – issues that should have been central to the conversation. Child care, paid leave, healthcare, and a living wage were topics I hoped to hear about, but were conspicuously absent. Instead, we were subjected to tangents involving conspiracy theories, speculative scenarios, and even talk about UFOs and aliens. As if these are the pressing matters of our time.

Enduring the discourse of individuals seemingly hostile to the very issues that matter to me and my family tested my patience. The debate lacked a genuine engagement with critical concerns, such as unemployment, underemployment, impending student loan repayment deadlines, and the glaring absence of paid sick leave for countless families I know.

The humorous memes circulating on social media added some levity, and the moderators’ lack of real time fact-checking was even more absurd. However, the overall tone of the debate was filled with self-deprecating humor meant to appease the audience, references to single family welfare mothers without addressing systemic poverty, condescension towards fellow candidates, a surplus of religious references, climate change denial, name-calling, contradictions, and an unsettling sense of chaos.

To put it succinctly, what I observed were new faces attempting to mask the same old policies with a fresh coat of rhetoric. The debate was a stark reminder that there is much work to be done but I won’t be holding my breath for the next presidential debate.