Now that Labor Day has passed, the nation’s bell of liberty is ringing to alert us to the proximity of November’s election. While Vice President Kamala Harris is new to the top of the Democratic Party’s ticket, the slog to the White House has been going on since the last election, topped by the destructive insurrection by lackeys of then-President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
What has emerged this campaign season is much different than in past elections. This time, there’s a noticeable lack of focus on real issues. We’re not really hearing much about the economy, stupid. Or foreign wars or the budget or trade or racial relations or whatnot. Sure, issues like abortion, immigration and guns rear their heads occasionally, but so far, big issues don’t really seem to be defining the presidential race.
Instead, it’s all about character and the future of our democracy. Do we want to continue in the Obama-Biden tradition to move forward and try to make a better America for everyone? Or do we want to steer the country backwards toward a more divided country where fear, injustice, inequality and poverty rule?
Notes The Washington Post in a recent editorial: “Ms. Harris offers an optimistic view of the country and its future and has largely refused to respond to Mr. Trump’s jabs. Mr. Trump has chosen to make ‘American carnage,’ the term he coined in his 2017 inaugural address, his guiding theme. Hints of moderation that came after his near-assassination in July seem a thing of the past.
“In character, style, tone, outlook, dignity, and, yes, race and gender, the two candidates are distinct.”
So in the nine weeks or so until our elections, consider character and what you want in a national leader.
Do you want to return to the days of dysfunction, narcissism and spitefulness that reigned from 2017 to 2021 during the Trump administration? And don’t forget about the trials, tribulations and convictions of the former president in the years since.
Or do you want to continue the too-slow march toward progress with the optimistic, sometimes joyful, campaigning by Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota?
We’re not sure about you, but we’d far rather have someone more akin to Ted Lasso running the country than Ted Bundy or Ted Nugent.
Character counts and Kamala Harris has it.
Let’s not make a national mistake that would embarrass the Founding Fathers — and Mothers — by electing a convicted felon to the nation’s highest office.
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