No, I don’t agree with her every stated position or viewpoint.
Yes, I am voting for her.
Am I upset about the current state of the economy? Yes.
Do I understand that economic conditions are not the sole purview of the Presidency but are impacted by the Congressional budget process? Also yes.
Am I upset about the events in Israel and Gaza and our complicity in violence as Westerners due to our diplomatic actions and inactions? Yes.
Do I understand that any/all future action we can take as a nation to alleviate suffering and foster peace, both domestically and abroad, depends on having an administration that values democracy, can understand nuance, and can confront the complexity of a given geopolitical situation? Also yes.
Once she’s in office, am I going to continue to agitate and advocate for my country – which I love – to continue to move toward social justice, equity, and solutions that put human beings and human needs above corporate profits, greed, religious zeal, and fascism?
You’re goddamn right I will.
But none of that – none of the complex, pressing, dire, and atrocious things happening in this world can be or will be properly addressed if tRump gets re-elected into office.
Period. Full stop.
The video linked above is just one example of Vice President Kamala Harris engaging with constituents and responding to questions. It’s not perfect; but it’s an organic, honest, very human moment. It flies in the face of essentially every response to any question and every exchange I have ever seen/heard the GOP candidate have with another human being, ever.
If you are upset about any number of situations or policies from the current administration, or anything Harris has said in the past or present as CA Attorney General, or Presidential candidate – again, I have issues too; BUT, we must put in context what a democratic republic is, what leadership is, and what we are facing as a nation at this moment in our history.
For the record: I am not “all in” for the Democratic Party. I sincerely want to move beyond a two-party system and want to see the end to money-driven politics. And, yes, I want to see an end to the genocide currently taking place in Gaza, and an end to the hostilities being perpetrated on Israelis.
The world is a complex place. Identity is complex. Solving conflict in ways that don’t involve violence is complex. Feeding, clothing, and sheltering living beings in ways that honor sovereignty, autonomy, and justice is complex.
We need an administration headed by a President who can grapple with complex problems. And right now, the Democratic candidate is the only one who can both do that and has a chance of winning. No other third-party candidate at the moment can.
At this moment in time, we need to shore up democracy in our nation to continue to push against fascism, racism, sexism, and despotism at home and abroad.
Madame Vice President, you have my vote. I intend to remind you why every day for the next four years.
Well stated, Stephen. Thank you!
Perfect. Now how to get it to those who need to see it? Sharing with especially neighbors who want to ‘make a statement’ about Gaza. We olds remember wanting to ‘make a statement’ in 1968 by voting for Dick Gregory. We got Nixon.