The upcoming presidential election will most likely be the most important election of our time. The difference between the two candidates is stark. People’s vote for one of the two candidates will be based on many reasons – character, party, policies/positions, gender, and yes, even race.
As one who was involved in politics on a much smaller playing field (Visalia City Council), I had the honor of serving with men and women who exhibited qualities that our two presidential candidates would do well to model. They were: 1) people of character who respected the office and the vote of the people, whether they won or lost; 2) they encouraged public participation and did not demonize any one ethnic or sexual identification group; 3) they sought out employees that were professional, skilled, and visionary, realizing that one can not operate a successful city (or country) without their efforts; 4) they realized that people did not care if you were a republican or democrat, they just wanted government to work (like getting the garbage picked up); 5) they encouraged good stewardship of our environment (and planet) and finally, 6) they realized that chaos, divisive remarks, finger-pointing, and name-calling , do nothing to further “good” government.
I hope Visalians (and Americans) cast their vote for a candidate that exhibits the above qualities and attributes. Then, and only then, will we as Visalians and Americans sleep well at night knowing that democracy is safe, that America is a country of inclusiveness; that the vote of the people is sacred; that we are all bound by the “rule of law” and that no one person is above the “law,” that our environment must be protected and in closing, that we are a city (and country) of optimism, hope and welcomeness, not negativity, divisiveness and turmoil. Let’s make “America Kind Again.”
“No one person is above the law” is a lovely sentiment that is patently untrue, sadly.
No, its time to Make America Great Again. We’ve had enough with the last administration so your crocodile tears in defense of democracy ring hollow when one candidate for President did nothing to stop the invasion on our southern border. Same could be said for northern border but on a much lower scale. The point is is that we have no idea how dangerous this was because crime is down in Venezuela while crime is up here.
Thank you Greg, your remarks were well said.
I’m convinced that the election results indicate that the majority of working class people wanted change and when one candidate couldn’t say what she would do differently from the current administration it was over. People are tired of celebrating endorsements because they will never feel the consequences of bad policy decisions and most people aren’t better off than they were 4 years ago.