Campaigning for re-election, President Biden has resorted to a questionable tactic: using taxpayer dollars to buy votes. While not a direct quid pro quo, he is leveraging the full faith and credit of the United States to pander to certain groups in hopes of securing their support.
One recent example of this tactic is Biden’s announcement of a student-loan bailout, allocating an additional $7.7 billion to assist 160,000 young Americans. This brings the total college-debt handout to a staggering $167 billion for approximately 4.75 million individuals. However, it is worth noting that Biden lacks the congressional authority to cancel many of these loans. Furthermore, his previous attempt to forgive up to $20,000 per student was struck down by the Supreme Court.
In another move to sway voters, Biden plans to tap into the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve and drain one million barrels of gasoline. This is an attempt to alleviate the skyrocketing pump prices, which have surged from $2.39 per gallon when he took office to $3.59 on Monday, marking a 50% increase. Ironically, it is Biden’s own policies that have contributed to this rise in fuel costs. Additionally, using the reserves for non-emergency purposes, such as lowering prices at the pump, goes against their intended purpose.
Biden is also trying to portray himself as a champion of consumers who have been hit hard by inflation. For example, he has promised first-time home buyers $400 a month in tax credits. While this may seem appealing on the surface, it is important to consider the potential consequences, such as higher housing costs. Biden is banking on voters not making the connection until after Election Day.
Furthermore, Biden’s stance on Israel can be seen as another attempt to secure support from left-leaning and “anti-Zionist” voters. By taking a hostile approach towards Israel, he hopes to solidify his backing in swing-state Michigan and among certain factions. This strategy is not only despicable but also undermines national security.
Ultimately, Biden’s efforts to buy off specific interest groups come at a cost to the nation as a whole. His low approval ratings are not a reflection of voters wanting more bribes, but rather their desire for a better president. Instead of resorting to these campaign tricks, Biden should focus on addressing the concerns and needs of the American people.
