Inflation continues to dominate political discussions as Americans feel the pain of rising costs on everything from groceries to gas. With just days left until Election Day, the candidates’ approaches to inflation highlight the stark contrast in their economic philosophies.

Donald Trump has made clear that he views inflation as the byproduct of what he calls “reckless spending” and “overregulation” by the current administration. His solution? Cut taxes, reduce federal spending, and incentivize domestic manufacturing to bring down costs. Trump argues that less regulation and fewer taxes will spur production, drive down prices, and strengthen the dollar. His plan to lower taxes, particularly for small businesses and manufacturers, is coupled with a renewed focus on domestic oil production to bring gas prices under control.

Kamala Harris’s approach places a greater emphasis on targeted assistance to relieve Americans from high costs in healthcare, housing, and energy, rather than tax cuts. Her campaign promises government-backed subsidies for essential services, like a federal initiative to control prescription drug prices and invest in clean energy to prevent long-term volatility in the oil market. Harris argues that her healthcare and energy policies will ease Americans’ burdens, though critics contend that her plan could cost taxpayers in the long run without delivering immediate relief.

Trump’s criticism of Harris’s inflationary policies centers on what he calls her “spend now, pay later” philosophy. He argues that the massive public spending she proposes will only serve to exacerbate inflation, driving up interest rates and putting strain on everyday Americans and businesses alike. For Trump, the answer is a supply-side boost: strengthen American industries, encourage domestic production, and remove red tape so that businesses can keep prices low and workers can keep their earnings.

On the other hand, Harris argues that targeted government investment can ease inflation by making essentials more affordable. Her plan includes support for families through affordable housing and reduced medical costs, aiming to lessen the strain of inflation on American households. To her, healthcare, clean energy, and housing investments are essential pillars of an equitable economy that puts people, not corporations, at the center.

As Americans weigh their options, they are faced with a question of ideology: Is inflation best addressed by freeing up markets and reducing government involvement, as Trump contends, or through direct intervention in key sectors, as Harris proposes? The choice will ultimately shape how — and how quickly — inflationary pressures are relieved across the nation.