On the fence? Protesting? Considering abstention?

See Disclaimer.

The upcoming presidential election will have profound consequences on people, country and world. The candidates’ character and vision couldn’t be more different, and their presidencies would be polar opposites. Yet only a percentage of eligible Americans will vote. In 2020, where less than 7 million votes separated nationally the two leading candidates, over 77 million Americans over 18 years old did not vote. Of the votes casted, nearly 3 million either abstained or chose a minor-party or write-in candidate.

If you do not plan to vote, are undecided on how to vote, or plan a ‘protest’ vote, you are fully within your rights. There are very real reasons to be frustrated with US politics. The Electoral College is a counterproductive relic from the past, as is our two-party system. Disinformation is prevalent. Money talks way too often. All this said, your vote still matters. Deeply!

In my view, there are clear reasons to support Kamala Harris for President:  She brings an infectious optimism, a refreshing sense of national unity, sound principles and knowledge grounded on a lifelong of public service, a ‘can do’ pragmatic attitude, and a clear-eyed understanding of the complexities of the challenges ahead. Her plans are principled and promising, and will further evolve for the benefit of our country and all its people.

But even if you are not fully behind her, please consider the alternative. Donald Trump is profoundly unfit to be president for reasons ranging from the practical (e.g., economy) to the existential (e.g., climate and democracy) and to the principled (e.g., character):

• Economy: Trump has fueled the dangerous disinformation that we are in an economic crisis that he alone can fix. The reality could not be more different: Costs are still high, but inflation is back down to 2.4%, unemployment is low, and stocks are at historical highs.  The United Nations credits the US economic recovery post pandemic for being distinctively strong, due to actions of the Biden Administration and the Federal Reserve. More must now be done on top of that recovery. A joint letter by most living US Nobel laureates for economics describes Harris’ economic plans as vastly superior to Trump’s: Hers will promote growth and benefit the middle class, while his will lead to higher prices, larger deficits, and greater inequality.
• Climate: Climate change is predictably leading to an increased frequency and intensity of natural hazards (devastating hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more) that have tragic consequences on people and the economy. That trend will further and drastically aggravate without systemic climate change mitigation and adaptation. The first Trump Administration severely derailed essential US efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions, and his ‘drill, baby, drill’ plans for a second term would have disastrous, irreparable, consequences. This contrasts deeply with the thoughtful approach of the Biden Administration to emission reductions, which Harris would pragmatically further advance.
• Democracy: Trump is an authoritarian, who has yet to accept the results of the 2020 election, who caused the January 6th assault on the Capitol, and whose own former White House staff consider a risk to democracy. A chilling consequence of authoritarianism is the fear of retribution that is already constraining lead Republicans, CEOs, and media ownership from merely expressing their contrarian opinions. By contrast, Harris is a unifier who believes in democratic alternance of power.
• Character: Trump systematically disrespects and attacks women and their health options, discriminates against underrepresented groups, lies, and uses system disinformation as a tool in life and politics (even when that victimizes or re-victimizes  people). By contrast, Harris’ lifetime of dedicated public service is a testament to her principles and character.

In some areas, neither candidate has solutions. A striking example are complex and devastating geopolitical and humanitarian issues, with emphasis on the horrifying Gaza and Sudan crises and on the war in Ukraine. But even in those areas, Harris is the only candidate whose combination of principles and pragmatism offers a realistic opportunity for mitigation or resolution. Trump only brings to these issues his typical boasting and hollow blistering, which will inevitably lead to further global instability, chaos, and suffering.

There is truly no equivalency among candidates: Harris is vastly superior. Her Presidency would have practical and existential benefits for country and world. His presidency would threaten our democracy, ravage our economy, and deeply jeopardize any hope to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Please vote!

— Antonio Baptista

PS: For an expanded treatment of some of the above issues, please consider referring to other posts in the ‘Outside the Box’ blog (https://outoftheboxblog.org).