I’ve been waiting for weeks for just one Gettysburg Connection reader to write in to say why they are voting for Kamala Harris. With such an important election only 10 days away, and facing a wall of silence from our readers, I’m writing to say why I am.
Harris is the Democratic Party’s candidate. Over my lifetime, Democrats have consistently fought for Americans who have less and deserve more. Democrats advocate for action against the destruction caused by climate change, for affordable healthcare, for a safety net for seniors, for universal childcare, and for paid sick leave for workers
The Democratic Party has championed equal rights for women and racial minorities, and for the right of every person’s vote to count. Democrats have also taken strong stances against authoritarian regimes around the world, including those in China, Russia, and North Korea.
When you sign up for Obamacare, when your student debts are reduced, when your doctor bills are paid by Medicare or Medicaid, and when you cash your Social Security check, you can thank the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris will continue these policies that make a difference for all of us. She is a former District Attorney and current Vice President whose speeches are filed with optimism, and whose policies promote families, democracy, equality, fairness, and transparency.
There is only one choice on Nov. 7 that benefits me, my neighbors, and my country. And that is why I will vote for Kamala Harris.
Thank you sharing your positive reasons for voting for Harris.
As a registered (for decades) Republican, I voted (already) for Kamala Harris for a few reasons.
First, she recognizes we have a climate issue on this planet and is open to doing what we can to try to provide a better future for my grandkids. Many Republicans see drilling as a better option. Under Biden we are doing more drilling to provide for “now,” but we are also working toward the future as pretty much every other country is doing. There’s no reason to be “last” in the world. Trump also wants to ditch many environmental regulations. I want my grandchildren to have clean air and water, and forests to hike in.
Second, many economists I respect feel her economic plan will be better than Trump’s. This includes Goldman Sachs and 23 Nobel Prize winning economists. I want our economy to do well.
Third, I travel the world and have met many who wonder why our country would even consider Trump. They laugh at us and feel we have lost respect by his being on the ticket. They worry about his siding with Russia. I’d like to regain world respect.
Fourth, so many people from Trump’s previous presidency have said he’s not fit for office. It’s not one or two disgruntled former employees. It’s several high ranking professionals. If someone came to me and most of their references said they wouldn’t hire a person for the job, I’d believe them.
I don’t always agree with Harris, but she’s better for the job between the two – many experts feel that way. Major supporters of Trump (like Musk) mainly want the money in it for them (tax cuts for the wealthy and a job). I don’t feel they need tax cuts. Harris cares about the majority of Americans who aren’t in the super rich category.
Until “my” party runs a better candidate (maybe in 2028?) I won’t vote for red just because I’m registered red. I have to feel the candidate will do a better job. Trump will not. I voted Harris with absolutely no regrets.
I’m with you, Chuck. The Democrats align with my values and I almost always vote for them. But I still examine each and every one to be sure they are still on the same page, and once, living in another state, I voted for a Republican because his values were more akin to those of traditional Democrats.
This election is immensely important, and I urge people who “see the light” in this period of darkness to vote up and down the ballot for Democrats. Without enough party support in Congress, even the best Democratic President will struggle. Fortunately, we have great candidates in Beth Farnham and Bob Casey, and for our state Senate, Cameron Schroy.
Let’s do it!
Bravo! A well written summary of why Kamala Harris is a good choice for president. I echo these reasons, and am particularly glad that Harris is making such a strong stand for women to have the choice over their own bodies. The patriarchal age is over!
I have already voted for Kamala.
Chuck, Thanks for your endorsement of Kamala Harris. I have already cast my ballot and also voted for Harris and all the rest of the Democrats on the ballot. I don’t think any of them are perfect, and I don’t agree with every position they have taken, but given the binary choices in this election, the decision was easy. Thanks again!
Thanks for this perspective, Chuck. I’m personally voting for Harris because I identify as someone who is against fascism. When John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving Chief-of-Staff accused Trump as a fascist, that was enough for me. When Trump’s former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, called Trump “fascist to the core,” I became even more convinced. Unlike Democracy, I believe fascism is a failed system of government that does not represent the will of the people and is incompatible with my worldview.
Jim – you might look a little further into your assertion. The U.S. is both a republic and a democracy. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
Ryan, I wrote that the United States is a republic, not a [pure] democracy. I didn’t say that a republican form of government does not use the democratic process to elect representatives of the people to positions of authority where the power is lodged.
A pure “democracy” is a form of government, in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the people collectively.
A “republic” is a commonwealth where the power is lodged in representatives elected by the people. In modern usage, it differs from a democracy, or democratic state, in which the people exercise the powers of sovereignty. – Noah Webster 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language.
These definitions define what I mean by saying the founding fathers established a “republican form of government” which differs from a “pure democracy” and a pure democratic form of government.
Based on the above definitions from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary I have concluded that the U.S. cannot be both a republic and a democracy because they are different forms of government. The U.S. is a constitutional republic in which the “just powers of government” are lodged in the people’s representatives who are elected via the democratic process by the electors.
I hope this clarifies what I was attempting to convey.
Chuck, how do you know that the candidates you cast your vote of approval for will provide the citizens of the United States with what they have promised?
And, do you realize that the “just powers” exercised by the president voted into office will apply to you, even if your candidate of choice does not win the election?
By registering to vote you have voluntarily consented to be governed by the statutes of the civil government the majority has voted into power. And when the citizens refuse to obey the civil laws, rules, and regulations of the government voted into power by the majority, what will we have?
By voting as a citizen of the United States you have voluntarily submitted yourself to the dominion of the United States federal government and you owe your absolute allegiance, fidelity, and obedience to your duly elected government officials.
The experiences of the last two elections tell me that no matter who wins the election in a few days some on the losing side may not accept the winning candidate as their president and I shudder to think how they may react to the loss. It seems there are no good losers in politics these days.
As for me, I am a peacemaker, praying for peace to prevail in Adams County, Pennsylvania no matter who wins the election.
By the way, the founding fathers established a republican form of government, not a democracy,
Peace
“Republic” does not mean Republican. But I understand your confusion.
“As for me, I am a peacemaker, praying for peace to prevail in Adams County, Pennsylvania no matter who wins the election.”
Me too. I want Harris to win, and voted for her, but regardless, I want peace.
I owe no allegiance, fidelity, or obedience to anyone but God though. If an elected leader were to tell me to do something I believe is wrong – like “fight,” or “pollute” or similar, no, I will not obey.
In our country we have freedom to disagree – even to protest (peacefully) if we wish.
Even though Chuck and I could not be further apart politically, he has been more than fair and supportive of posting our conservative views. Thanks Chuck!!!