In a normal presidential election, the candidates wouldn’t be talking about fascism, the size of golfer Arnold Palmer’s, umm, “club” or dozens of other topics designed to distract voters.
In fact, in a normal presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris probably would be winning easily due to her common-sense stances on important issues to everyday Americans. But her opponent can’t – or just won’t – focus on issues. Instead, former President Donald Trump uses distractions to breathe life into the cult of MAGA supporters he’s infused with religious fervor.
For instance, in an election based on issues and debate, Trump would have to answer for his reckless plan to hammer the average American family with $2,600 a year in new taxes on the imported goods they buy every day – many of which South Carolina helps build. And he’d finally be forced to take responsibility for the cruel state-level abortion bans that his Supreme Court justices made possible.
Conversely, Harris is fighting for popular, common-sense solutions on one issue after another – protecting reproductive freedom, cutting middle-class taxes, prosecuting felons (like Trump), protecting health care and implementing a responsible system of legal immigration over fear-mongering. And hundreds of former Trump advisers and associates know it, too, since they’ve backed her over a man they now see as a threat to American democracy.
Put simply, normal Americans who want normal things – a good job, decent schools for their kids, health care when they need it and sane politics in difficult times – should vote Nov. 5 for Kamala Harris for president. She is the right choice. Otherwise, we’ll chase chaos and shiny flashing nothings for four years.
Vote NO on two Charleston County tax questions
We urge Charleston County voters to cast two NO votes on half-penny tax referenda for one big reason: Charleston County does not have a credible track record of delivering on its promises to responsibly use the $5.4 billion in sales tax revenue it would receive over 25 years.
A quick look at the past two half-penny sales tax referenda shows new libraries took twice as long as expected to be built. And many road projects called for in a past referendum aren’t close to being finished. In fact, money from the new referendum is needed to move forward on some of the old unfinished projects.
Furthermore, dedicating more than $2.4 billion – including more than $600 million in interest costs – to extend Interstate 526 across Johns Island is a folly waiting to explode. It won’t cut down on traffic congestion and will, instead, put more cars on the road from new houses that will sprout like winter wheat.
Vote NO on both questions and send county council back to the drawing board.
Endorsement rundown
Here is a list of Charleston County endorsements over the last three weeks by the City Paper to consider as you vote:
President of the United States: Kamala Harris.
U.S. Congress: Michael B. Moore, SC-1; Jim Clyburn, SC-6.
S.C. Senate: Ed Sutton, Senate 20; Rita Adkins, Senate 41; Julie Cofer Hussey, Senate 43.
S.C. House: J.A. Moore, House 15; Donna Brown Newton, House 80; John Moffett, House 110; Joe Bustos, House 112; Wendell Gilliard, House 115; Adrienne Lett, House 114; Spencer Wetmore, House 115; Charlie Murray, House 116; Leon Stavrinakis, House 119.
Charleston County Council: Rob Wehrman (District 3); Sydney van Bulck (District 7).
Charleston County School District Board of Trustees: Caroline Jewett (District 2); Kevin Hollinshead (District 4); Daron Lee Calhoun II (District 6); Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson (District 8 ).
9th Circuit Solicitor: Scarlett Wilson.
Charleston County Coroner: Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
Charleston County Sheriff: Kristin Graziano.
Charleston County Treasurer: Mary Tinkler.
Head to the polls this year – early or on Nov. 5. Make your voice heard.
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