Letters: Meaning of election hasn’t changed; Trump not ‘up to the task’

Meaning of election hasn’t changed

By stepping out of the race Joe Biden has placed the good of our country above his own ego, something that Donald Trump will never do.

While the candidates have changed, the meaning of this election has not. In November we will decide much more than one president over another.

We will decide the House and the Senate and many down ballot races that often have a more direct impact on the quality of our lives.

We will likely decide, via presidential appointments, who will sit on the Supreme Court for decades to come.

Above all, we will decide the path our country will take, whether we preserve democracy or further our decay into authoritarianism.

Trump not ‘up to the task’

Representative Glenn Thompson issued a statement saying he was “surprised that President Biden has ended his campaign, pushed out under pressure of Democratic party elites” adding that Biden is “clearly not up to the task.”

Meanwhile, the Republicans, controlled by their own party elites, kiss up to Trump, who even Thompson must know is an old convicted felon who “is clearly not up to the task.”

In Kamala Harris, the Democrats now have a dynamic candidate with more experience and qualifications (district attorney, state attorney general, U.S. Senator, vice president) than the GOP ticket combined.

Harris is an experienced prosecutor. Trump is recognized as a serial liar. Unless Trump weasels out, the presidential debate scheduled for Sept. 10 should be fun to watch.

Seeing through Trump

Donald Trump’s physical health dominated the recent presidential debate, but what he said in that health was his usual lies, exaggerations and rudeness. Our president was weak that night, but there is another factor, and that is the good sense of the people themselves in whom is the ultimate sovereignty.

Let us all take a deep breath and remember that they will see through Donald Trump and not vote to elect a dictator. Remember Walt Whitman there in the 19th century with the frontier still open — American democracy here in the new world is the hope of all the people in the world.

Is this then dated unction?

It is up to each of us to show that it is not.

Defending and protecting Social Security

Protecting Social Security has two different translations.

For conservatives, protecting the program means raising the retirement age, reducing monthly payments to seniors, and reducing other benefits. That does protect the program and the existing funding. It does not protect my Social Security.

Many of us depend on that monthly check!

The second translation, defending Social Security, means maintaining or improving existing benefits to seniors and others. That is the defense I want to see. While supporting those who receive payments, the program will also be protected by increasing payments into the program from people who make more than $400,000, in addition to what less affluent folks have always paid. That small increase, from those who can afford it, will stabilize the existing program without shortchanging those who need it.

So, yes, both parties will protect Social Security. It is your choice. Vote Republican and reduce your benefits but protect the program. Vote for Democrats and keep your monthly benefits consistent. Personally, I embrace the second approach and that is what Democrats will do. If you want your Social Security to at least stay as it is, you must vote, and you must vote for Democrats.

She’s got this

In the mid-1980s, I made a bet with a friend — Who would be President first: A woman (his pick) or a Black man (mine)? I won a lovely dinner — and eight years of Obama’s outstanding leadership.

In 2016, we bet again — “Definitely a woman this time,” he said. I supported Clinton and worked hard to elect her, but saw the misogyny plaguing our country, and reluctantly bet against him. Another lovely dinner — and years of Trump-inflicted chaos, reactionary policy, and a Supreme Court dedicated to crushing civil rights and Constitutional principles.

This time, my money’s firmly on Kamala Harris. I’m confident she’ll win.

Harris has broad government experience: as California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and vice president.

Harris champions our country’s democratic ideals — freedom and dignity for all, economic security (not just for wealthy Americans), access to quality health care (including reproductive care), affordable public education, global security and partnership with other democracies around the world. Above all, she acts in the best interests of Americans.

In stark contrast, Harris’s opponent is a man who cares only about himself. He schemed to overturn legitimate election results and betrayed his oath of office. He proudly denies women bodily autonomy, promises tax cuts to wealthy Americans and an end to education and health care funding, threatens democracy here and abroad, and espouses white Christian nationalism. Most terrifying, he threatens violence if he loses again.

2024 isn’t about electing the first woman; it’s about electing the only person qualified to be president.