(AP)

The heartland has not felt the growth of the booming economy Donald Trump bragged about (before it fell from the sky last month). Donald Trump’s failed trade war, mismanagement of the coronavirus, and Wall Street agenda has left the Midwest in the dust. However, we have an opportunity in November to change that. It’s worthwhile to take a look at our alternative option and how things would be different if we had real leadership in the Oval Office. A Biden Administration would uniquely address the core problems faced by Midwesterners across the aisle.

Biden’s Plans for Rural America

More than one quarter of the Midwest is considered “rural”. They grow our food, produce our energy, and keep our economy afloat. Unfortunately, the demands of a 21st century economy are shifting away from the supply the heartland provides. To name a few interesting plans, The Biden Administration will:

Expand Obama’s microloan program for new and beginning farmers, doubling the maximum loan amount to $100,000 .

. Reinvest in agricultural research by boosting funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, two organizations that would greatly modernize farming.

by boosting funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, two organizations that would greatly modernize farming. Dramatically expand funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program to help rural entrepreneurs turn their dreams to reality and help rural companies obtain capital.

Create a White House StrikeForce consisting of agency leaders who will partner with community-building organizations in persistent poverty-stricken rural communities and help them unlock federal resources .

. Apply Congressman James Clyburn’s 10–20–30 formula, which will allocate 10 percent of funding to areas “where 20 percent or more of the population has been living below the poverty line for the last 30 years,” to all federal programs.

Overall, a border wall and a trade war won’t fix the problems facing the Midwestern economy. If the rural Midwest intends to compete in the 21st century economy, it will require smart leadership and strategic investments. Joe Biden plans to take that approach.

Biden’s Plans to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

The Midwest has been hit hardest by the opioid epidemic. Visit any city, suburb, or small town in the Midwest and you’re likely to meet someone who has been effected by the crisis. President Trump wants to repeal Obamacare, including its Medicaid expansion. Repeal would be disastrous for Midwestern communities and families combating the opioid crisis. Unlike addressing the agricultural economy, it is unrealistic to think that grant money alone will fill the hole that eliminating Obamacare and its Medicaid expansion would create. Biden’s plan to solve the opioid epidemic is to defeat Trump and then protect and build on Obamacare. After that, Biden will enlist experts to develop a comprehensive public health approach to deal with opioid use. His administration will:

Make effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services available to all, through a $125 billion federal investment .

. Stop overprescribing while improving access to effective and needed pain management.

while improving access to effective and needed pain management. Reform the criminal justice system so that no one is incarcerated for drug use alone.

so that no one is incarcerated for drug use alone. Ban drug manufacturers from providing payments or incentives to physicians and other prescribers .

and other prescribers Pursue comprehensive strategies to expand access to treatment , particularly in rural and urban communities with high rates of substance use disorders and a lack of access to substance use disorder treatment services.

, particularly in rural and urban communities with high rates of substance use disorders and a lack of access to substance use disorder treatment services. Help first responders and community health providers respond to overdoses. Biden will invest $10 billion to provide communities with the tools needed to prevent overdoses and respond to emergencies.

Joe Biden’s plans to expand healthcare, assist military families, and improve the lives of senior citizens are all examples of nationwide efforts that will revitalize the Midwest in particular. In November, the heartland has a chance to correct the mistakes made by the Trump administration.

If you live in the Midwest, Joe Biden needs your help. Talk to your neighbors about voting and be creative in the ways you could help spread the word about how much better life will be when the reality TV host packs his bags for a one way trip to Mar-A-Lago.