January 2022 Features The Biden Administration: one year analysis of the presidency so far
6 The Voyager
By TIMUR MARKOWITZ ‘24 and KYLE GOLDSTEIN ‘24 Staff Reporters
O
ne year into Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States is just as divided as it was before. The polarization of politics continues to rise within the government and the populace, as the division of the right and left prepares to shape, or deconstruct, the future of the nation. Biden, won 51.3% of the popular vote; however, since his inauguration, Americans have dialed back their support, with now only 43.1% of the nation satisfied with his actions and policies. This sudden shift in presidential approval causes many questions to arise concerning the catalysts of this decline. A major part of analyzing the success of a presidential term comes from the approval rating, as a lower approval rating signifies a more unpopular president, making it difficult for a leader to win a second term. Tasked to maintain the pandemic following the work of the Trump administration, Biden signed various bills and executive orders after taking office, as COVID relief was a major focus of his campaign. The primary component of his COVID agenda contained a 1.2 trillion bill, with many distinct elements. Nearly half of this money is for new investments in infrastructure, which will assist in job creation. This massive bill has a large focus on infrastructure for roads, water, cybersecurity, public transportation, the environment and more. This instance was considered the first major success of the Biden administration, and widespread alleviation has been reached from the bill. It allows for stimulus checks during CO-
VID and aiding in making vaccines more accessible. However, Biden’s first year has shown few bills enacted in terms of quantity, and most deal with handling COVID-19 and related issues. In his first hundred days, he had signed merely 11 bills into law, which is certainly on the lower end. Comparatively, Obama signed 14 in his first hundred days, and Trump approved 28 bills. The American Rescue Plan Act will assist in limiting the effects of COVID on the economy, and is additionally meant to build on the Affordable Care Act. However, higher taxes will not help the ongoing inflation issues. The prices of goods have risen over 6.8% in the last year, which is the largest increase since the 1980s. Biden claims this issue is due to the recent supply chain crisis and that the increase will die down eventually. A major turning point in Joe Biden’s presidency centered around the removal of American troops from Afghanistan after nearly twenty years. Biden’s delayed evacuation provoked the Taliban as the departure of American troops allowed the takeover of Kabul, the capital, on August 15. Poor execution also caused major complications, including the bombing at Kabul International Airport and the overall failure of a safe retreat. The absence of U.S. influence further triggered the Afghan refugee crisis. Biden’s foriegn policy focused on repairing relationships that were broken by the preceding administration. He signed executive orders on his first day in office to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization, goals of his presidency following Trump’s withdrawals. However, he has also taken significant military action, ordering airstrikes in Syr-
ia targeting Irainian militias following attacks on U.S. operatives in Iraq. With stress between the United States and its main adversaries China and Russia, the President explained his goals to establish a stable relationship, absent of domestic threats, with Russia at a summit in June; he also made an agreement with China to mitigate climate change. Future Biden plans concern limiting the growth of climate change and creating paying, union jobs to build and maintain infrastructure for clean energy. One year into his presidency, Joe Biden’s term has been Additionally, the divisive. Photo from Wikimedia Commons White House website states be expected to lower over time. he is attemptDespite the seemingly positive effects of ing to help in mitigating issues such as his Presidency, national approval for Joe health care disparities, racial equity, and Biden is quite low, which doubts the biproblems within the immigration system. partisanship and acceptable nature of his Biden’s presidency will most likely result plans. Furthermore, this statistic hurts the in higher inflation rates, lower COVID possibility for his reelection or another rates, less legislation passed than other Democrat victory in the 2024 Presidential recent presidents, and while foreign relaelection. tion tensions are currently high, they can
Volunteer Opportunities: How can you be effectively charitable?
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By KAITLIN SWIFT ‘24 Staff Reporter
t’s a new year! After a booming and successful holiday season, with millions of kind souls donating their time and money to volunteer organizations nearby, these nonprofits should have enough supplies for the next year! But unfortunately, that is not the case. The post-holiday season is extremely tough on these organizations. The volunteers that were so plentiful during the holiday season have vanished; the giving spirit of the holidays gone, and these facilities once loaded with people donating their time are now void of volunteers. Contrary to popular belief, time from volunteers is a lot more valuable than donations for nonprofit organizations. The food drives that are held almost everywhere during the holidays often hurt more than they help, overworking the few volunteers at these organizations in the post-holiday season. So, where can those looking to donate their time volunteer? The Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees is a great place for students who love animals and want to help the community! Volunteers
at the Animal Welfare Association help with many important tasks, such as walking dogs, socializing with cats and other small animals, sorting donations, and helping with the events held by the Animal Welfare Association. Contact volunteers@awanj.org for more information. The Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill has many opportunities for those looking to volunteer. Volunteers help at their community events, celebrations for Jewish holidays, and with their ACHaD program. Volunteering is important for teens to get involved in their local community, and there’s no In this program, volun- better time than the post-holiday season. Photo from camdencounty.com teers build relationships Their meal plan provides over 100,000 lynch@forkidcare.com for more informawith individuals with spemeals a year, and helps feed the commution. cial needs, and help nity. Volunteers can help to prepare and Lion’s Gate Retirement Community them develop physiserve meals for those in need. The volunis a great place for students looking to cally, socially, and teer calendar can be found on their webvolunteer. No experience is needed, and emotionally. Volunsite, and contact alex@cathedralkitchen. volunteers spend time visiting, entertainteers help with the org for more information. ing, and bringing joy to senior residents. ACHaD events and The Voorhees Pediatric Facility is anContact cpedersen@lionsgateccrc.org for conduct activities other great place for students looking to more information. for the special needs volunteer. There are many ways volunThese are only some of the many volunpeople in the program. teers can help at the facility, such as helpteer opportunities for students. So, if you Contact newmaning with clerical duties, reading stories to have a few hours to spare, please donate teaches@gmail.com children, creating art, and creating friendyour time to one of the many local volfor more information. ships with the children and providing unteer organizations. In times like these, The Cathedral Kitchen in Camden is them with the love they deserve. Contact they truly could use some more help. another great place for student volunteers.
The volunteers that were so plentiful during the holiday season have vanished.
Editor’s Note: The article “Girls Who Start returns with renewed vigor” from the December Edition incorrectly stated that Reshma Saujani founded Girls Who Start in 2016. Ariel Beck started the organization in 2012. Spot an Error? Submit corrections to The Voyager at ehsvoyager@gmail.com, Mr. Bowne in Room 605, or Mr. Kemery in Room 804
