Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the vice president’s residence in Washington on Wednesday. AP PHOTO/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN
Last week, a well-meaning conservative friend crossed the street and asked me why I was supporting Kamala Harris for president. She took out a notebook and was ready to write down my response, saying, “I really want to know and study this election choice.”
At the time, I was ready to go home after our weekly standout for Harris for President. Citizens from Orange, Athol and the North Quabbin region have been holding a standout every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. either in Orange at the Armory or at the center of Athol.
I had been standing for two hours, was tired, and was ready to head home. I gave her only a short reply, “she’s by far the best candidate to lead this country.” But, it has been bothering me now for two weeks that I didn’t take the extra time to explain why Harris is my choice for the next president of the United States.
I could have explained the stark policy differences between the candidates. Harris protects the right of all Americans to make their own health care decisions, free of government interference. Harris protects the right of our children to attend school safely over the right to possess automatic weapons with large-capacity magazines.
Harris supports and will sign comprehensive immigration reform and border security to protect our country. She will create millions of good-paying union jobs in manufacturing, and not impose 20% tariffs on imports, a tax that we will all pay for. Harris supports middle-class tax cuts, not even more breaks for the billionaire class. She supports the safety of Israel, while helping to create a free and prosperous state for Palestinians, and supports Ukraine in its desperate struggle against Russian aggression.
And, finally, Harris respects the rule of law and the decision the American people will make on Nov. 5. But, ultimately, my choice is based on more than policy differences.
I support Kamala Harris for president because I judge the candidates by the “content of their character,” to paraphrase Martin Luther King Jr. Yes, I want my conservative friend, really, everyone to know that honesty, integrity, and respect for others are the most important character traits. They are essential for presidential leadership.
Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon failed in their leadership of this country because they lacked high moral character. Their years of political office did them no good when faced with complex decisions that required honesty and integrity.
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama could not have been more different in their policies, but were great presidents because they possessed high moral character. They took responsibility for their actions, were fair and just, and promoted love and compassion in their fellow Americans.
I support Harris because she is honest. She has the integrity to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. She shows respect for the rule of law that protects the rights of all Americans. She respects the right of all people to make their own health care decisions. She has lived a life of high moral character. She promotes policies that are fair and just. She promotes love and compassion for all people.
Moral character is the ultimate measure of leadership for those who seek the highest office in our land, the presidency. The American revolutionary Thomas Paine is said to have written, “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” We see a person’s character in their lifetime of words and actions.
When we judge the candidates by the content of their character, our choice for president is easy, Kamala Harris. Remember, President Reagan said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” This generation of Americans has that great choice to make. Let’s make this choice based on the content of their character.
Protect our freedoms. Protect America. Vote Kamala Harris for president of the United States.
Mike Magee of Orange is a retired high school American history and civics teacher.
