Why this voter fears Trump is destroying the environment – and could bring in a ‘police state’

‘I think we are in big trouble if Trump gets re-elected... but we need that message of hope’

In a divided time, The Independent is highlighting unique voters every week from all 50 states – featuring a nation of different voices

^{Polarized is a weekly series featuring Americans from all 50 states sharing their views on the 2020 elections. Click here if you would like to be a part of this project}

Heather Sinnes’ landscape is mostly edible. Rows of berries and fresh vegetables grow throughout her garden in Boise, Idaho, where she’s lived most of her life, enjoying the foothills, fresh air and natural beauty that can be seen all over the Gem State.

A 45-year-old mother of four, Sinnes does not identify as a Republican or Democrat. Rather, she says she’s an “informed voter” who typically leans progressive and at times considers herself a democratic socialist.

Like every other American, Sinnes’ life was upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Rather than teaching her English courses at the local university where she works, Sinnes now offers those classes entirely online from a remote location – her house.

Her two five-year-old children, who were preparing to enter kindergarten this year, will now be homeschooled as well.

The pandemic has made Sinnes aware of the desperate need for a change in leadership, she tells The Independent in a recent interview.

Heather Sinnes says Trump ‘failed to keep the country safe’ (Heather Sinnes) (Photo courtesy Heather Sinnes)

While he wasn’t her first choice, Sinnes says she has come around to fully supporting former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in his bid to unseat Donald Trump in the 2020 elections.

“I would have loved to see a woman in leadership, and I was initially very excited for Bernie Sanders,” Sinnes says. “But I trust Joe Biden, more than I could ever trust Donald Trump, to be a leader and actually lead us out of some of these terrible things – which will only get worse if Trump gets re-elected.”

Sinnes says she is focused on three top issues leading up to election day: environmentalism, healthcare and raising the minimum wage “to a wage that is liveable for everyone.”

“In Idaho, we’re the most deregulated state in the nation,” she continues. “Our leadership is extremely proud of that. There are wonderful things about that when in living in Idaho, like freedom of choice, but in the places where you want to have some choice for yourself, there’s too much government overreach.”

There are other major issues that concern Sinnes, including poverty and gun reform. She says the issue of gun control became more important to her after having children.

“As much as I believe in the right to bear arms, I do believe in gun reform,” she says. “Especially having kids in school as a mother. That’s a place where you’re supposed to be able to send your kids to and feel safe.”

And, of course, Sinnes is concerned about the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic. She says the outbreak was exacerbated in the US by Trump’s failed leadership — something she believes would not have happened under a Biden administration.

“We’re doing nothing about the spread of Covid right now, essentially,” she says. “We’re collecting numbers and just letting it spread. If Donald Trump failed at one thing, it’s keeping our country safe.”

Biden is also taking on the progressive environmental stances Sinnes hoped a presidential candidate would in 2020. The former vice president’s campaign recently unveiled a new climate change plan that introduced a 15-year stamp to achieve carbon neutrality. Biden had previously proposed reaching the goal by 2050.

“That’s really appealing to me,” Sinnes says. “We are just not doing enough to protect our planet.”

Still, Sinnes says the policy proposals have not resonated with some other progressive voters, and she does not feel many people are feeling “fired up” – including herself.

“That’s what Obama did for everyone, he gave everyone hope,” she says. “I certainly have hope thinking about not having Trump as president anymore, and I certainly think Biden could rise to the occasion, but I think his message just isn’t really getting out.”

Check out more of The Independent’s series, Polarized: Voices From Across America

She adds: “I’m not seeing this message of hope. He should be driving home the core points of his campaign more – I don’t know if everyone is even aware he has that aggressive environmental plan. He certainly doesn’t talk about it often. I think our society is less likely to seek out that news, especially right now.”

While she may not feel too hopeful, Sinnes is holding onto the idea of a Biden victory in 2020. If not, she fears what may come next.

“I think we are in big trouble if Trump gets re-elected,” she says. “I feel like we’re turning into a police state, and losing our freedoms … we can’t let that happen.”