Why am I voting for Kamala Harris? Let me count the ways.
There is a political mindset in the US today that demeans women, has contempt for those who struggle economically, that worships wealth and influence, and very much does not want to share in that economic largesse. It is a frightening return to conservative (with Christianity as their excuse) values that seeks to divide us. It “others” us. It would turn us against one another simply for having different ideas, beliefs and desires. It would push women’s rights back decades, rights we have fought long and hard to achieve, rights that we richly deserve. Harris is a beacon of resistance to that political way of thinking, she embodies the idea that we are all in this together, so let’s work together to make America a better place for every one of us.
Our health and wellbeing are at stake. Harris will protect affordable health care. The US is the only country that does not have universal health coverage, but at least we have the ACA, over mostly Republican protest. Over 50 million Americans are now covered under this program. She is also pushing to lower drug costs. The cost of prescription drugs in the US is 3.22 times as high as in other comparison countries. Think about that. Why is that?
Harris will boost the child tax credit. During the pandemic, in rare bi-partisanship, the Pandemic Rescue Plan was born. This program lifted more people out of poverty in a single year than any other piece of legislation enacted in 50 years. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 8/29/24). Harris is fighting for those children, for those mothers, for those families who could use a good hand up, to attain economic security with the child tax credit. Why is this so hard for Republicans?
And of course, Harris champions women’s rights. We have come a long way, baby, and this clearly frightens conservatives. We are smart, we are determined, we don’t back down, we want equal rights and equal pay. We want a say. And the conservative religious politicos see that as a threat. They seek to constrain us with bans on abortion, travel out of state, even on campaigning for the right to abortion. They would shove us back decades. We are not going back. Harris is what we need in the face of this extremist push to roll back women’s rights. My freedom to choose does not take away that freedom from others. I don’t get that they don’t get that.
It’s time for a different perspective, a woman’s perspective, a mother’s perspective. Harris wants to bring people together, in all of our differences. She does not seek to make us all the same, she does not need us all to conform to one idea or belief. She does not threaten, demonize or weaponize. She wants us all to have a fighting chance economically. She has ignored the racist, sexist, puerile taunts and jabs from the MAGA candidate and his machine. She doesn’t waste her time on the petty small stuff. She does not ask what we can do for her, she is telling us what she can do for us, all of us. Listen!