Note: The Dial seeks balance in its coverage, which is especially true in regard to partisan topics and politics. Given an earlier Dial article criticizing Trump (September 2016 issue), it was difficult to find voices on staff in support of the presidential candidate. While this piece explores Trump’s policies, speeches, plans, etc. in a manner most positive to his candidacy, it does not attempt to condone his controversial behaviours and comments. Neither does this piece reflect an actual endorsement or expression of support for Trump, by The Dial’s staff or the piece’s author.

In an age rattled by partisan conflict, where gridlock between the President and Congress seemingly halts all progress, it is not surprising to see political outsiders gain traction in elections. This has manifested in the current presidential race in the form of Donald J. Trump, businessman and TV personality-turned candidate. This outsider status has gained him many supporters who view him as an economic boon to the U.S., a second coming of Reagan. His candidacy directly contrasts that of opponent Secretary Hillary Clinton, whose extensive experience as a politician has been a cornerstone of her campaign. Yet, as has occurred numerous times throughout American history, a controversial political outsider may be just what we need in times as dire as these.

In a campaign self funded around the figures of tens of millions of dollars, Trump has come to represent the exact opposite of the current stereotype of the  Washington establishment. This appeals to many Americans, of whom, according to a GenForward poll, as few as 28% feel the government is working effectively. In the most recent presidential debate, Trump differentiated himself from such inefficiency, labeling Clinton as “All talk, no action.” This incapability of the government to act on its words has been recurrent in the U.S. After 15 years of active work, the government is finally ready to implement its most recent fighter jet. As explained by entrepreneur and co-founder of PayPal Peter Thiel, this pursuit required 10 years more and 15 times the cost of the enormous Manhattan Project, 70 years prior. A President like Trump could potentially bring about a more effective government and avoid such wastage with his negotiative capabilities and outsider perspective on the political process. There is precedent for such an effect, namely the idolised former President, Ronald Reagan, described by onlookers at meetings as “the great negotiator”, though controversial and fiery. Where partisan politics is one of the greatest issues facing our nation, Trump transcends the party, appealing to the masses as an outsider with a cause, just as Reagan did in 1979.

Trump’s main focus is on U.S. domestic and economic policy, seeing internal growth and stability as a prerequisite to all else. His main policies regarding this are twofold: the deportation of undocumented immigrants, and major tax cuts across the board. While his stance on undocumented immigrants is admittedly brash and divisive, Trump has quite an economic incentive to defend it. Undocumented immigrants reduce the livelihoods of American citizens by competing for work and resources. Arizona has seen a 40% decrease in the number of undocumented immigrants, which saw multiple beneficial results. Steven Camarota, research director of the Center of Immigration Studies, found that “the decrease in immigration redistributed income from employers to employees, particularly at the bottom end of the labor market…That’s a good deal.” Not only does prioritizing citizens’ rights improve the quality of life of Americans, but undocumented immigrants arguably give the government an unnecessary burden. In 2004, the Federation for American Immigration Reform concluded that undocumented workers cost Arizona taxpayers more than $1 billion a year for education, medical care and incarceration, after subtracting the estimated taxes they pay. By reducing illegal immigration and increasing deportation of undocumented immigrants, these benefits can be recreated on a national scale.  Second, Trump’s tax cut proposals, which he described as the biggest since Reagan’s presidency, are in fact very reminiscent of the much disputed “Reaganomics” model. Economic analyst Larry Kudlow concurs, finding that Trump’s proposal would have similar results to Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s. In fact, Peter Ferrara of Forbes found that deregulation resulted in $100 billion saved per year for consumers on lower prices, raising real per capita income by 18%. His tax cuts, strikingly similar to Trump’s proposals, saw a 30% increase in the U.S. economy, generating 20 million jobs and cutting inflation in half. Implementing such policies would revitalize a currently stagnant economy and nation, perhaps enough to “Make America great again.”