To the editor:
A vote is not a bouquet of flowers pledging your undying love and devotion. It can be a carefully planned strategic move designed to move us closer to the society we want.
Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States. Mr. Trump is certain to make everything I care about much harder to achieve. He is certain to make life more difficult for those who are already struggling.
Kamala Harris is not my dream candidate. Some of her policies and actions are likely to conflict with my own priorities and values. She is, however, someone we can engage with as we move toward a world that values people rather than profits. She is likely to make life better and easier for the most vulnerable among us.
I am doing everything I can to help her be elected. This is not because she is going to lead us to a complete transformation of society, but because with her in office it will be possible to continue to fight for a truly just, peaceful and compassionate world.
I believe we need to vote for her, support her and challenge her. To spurn voting for her leaves the door open for more divisiveness, more hatred toward those who seem different and even more domination by the rich and powerful.
Don’t send flowers, but please vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
John Schmeiding
Athens, Ohio
