I voted last week. My wife and I went to the local polling station to join millions of Americans in expressing our opinion. We’ve done the same thing in 13 Presidential elections. What guided us in our decision on the Presidential race? In this episode of Tracks for the Journey I offer some personal election reflections.
I believe Kamala Harris has the integrity, policies, and genuine faith that make her the best choice to lead America.
By nearly every measure, with the policies of Biden and Harris, Americans have a much better economic experience now than under Trump’s lackluster term in office. Harris’ plans for the Opportunity Economy add extra power to this history-making achievement. The stock markets have surged at an unprecedented rate since 2020: Dow up 38%, S&P up 53%, Nasdaq up 47%! American investors have more wealth than at any time in history. The inflation rate was 2.3% in 2019, to date in 2014 it has returned to the same at 2.5%. In 2019 158 million were working and now that has grown to 161 million! The Federal interest rates, pushed higher to slow inflation, have dropped to 5%. Total exports of US goods to the world, $1.6 trillion in 2019, surged to an astonishing $3.0 trillion in 2023 and will be even higher by the end of this year. Social Security payments have grown. Millions have medical insurance than ever before. Construction is underway for high tech and green projects that will propel America to world leadership and climate leadership.
Trump’s plans have been debunked by dozens of prize-winning economists. The Project 2025 plans for extra tariffs would add cost every family thousands, like an extra tax. The mass deportations would cost billions to accomplish, cripple entire industries, and rob the economy of billions in tax revenue. Changing Social Security, ending the Affordable Care insurance, and shrinking Medicaid would throw millions of seniors, the disabled, and lower-income families into poverty. Slashing the IRS budget would shrink tax collections. Stopping infrastructure investment would eliminate thousands of blue-collar jobs. Reducing the corporate tax rate would add billions to the national debt. Eliminating FEMA would stymie recovery by victims of natural disasters. These are plans that would decimate the good economy we have now.
Kamala Harris lives in reality, grounded in real facts, data, evidence, and science. She operates on the hard evidence of science to address the climate crisis affecting millions now, promote the use of effective vaccines, lead the AI revolution, and the improve infrastructure for more growth. She listens to Nobel prize-winning economists, seasoned military commanders, trained State Department specialists, and spiritual advisors to gain insight for the world-changing decisions a President must make. She honed her skills with decades in the courtroom where evidence and perceptive assessment of human beings decides the case. Kamala Harris is a realistic, rational person to lead America.
In contrast, Donald Trump rejects science, ignores trained advisors, and refuses to follow the laws of our society. Every speech brings more direct lies, outlandish claims, and distortions of proven facts. He lives in a world of conspiracies, faux science, media disinformation, and confused thoughts. His policies are full of bigotry and hate. He plans for his government to be a vehicle of political retribution and violence. The fabric of community that has bound America will be ripped even worse by his delusional world.
Kamala Harris exemplifies integrity in the actions of her life. “Integrity” means the quality of being honest and having high moral principles. Vice-President Harris has demonstrated this virtue across decades of public service. For example, she made public 20 years of tax returns—the most of any national candidate—to make transparent the financial dealings for herself and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Kamala spent decades enforcing the laws of San Francisco and the state of California, obviously dealing honestly in the highest ethical standards. Her personal life shows integrity with a strong marriage, loving family connections, and business dealings that have been public and ethical. She has owned how her views have changed in the quest for the best policies for the nation.
In contrast, Donald Trump lacks basic integrity in business and moral principles. He has been convicted of tax fraud and owes millions in penalties. He has declared bankruptcy multiple times. His divorces and affairs are well-documented. The Big Lie of a stolen election has been proven wrong by every court and election board in the nation yet is a central feature of his campaign. His only one commitment is truly to enhance his power, wealth, and image, not make America great.
Harris has a vital faith. She has been active in her Baptist Church, supporting its outreach to needy across San Francisco. Her speech at an Atlanta church described what faith means to her in deeply personal terms. “Faith is a verb,” she said. “We show it in action, in our deeds and in our service.” She believes that God values and loves every person, not just those who have a certain skin color, religion, or orientation. It’s easy to understand how more than 1,000 faith leaders released their endorsement this week.
You must make a choice soon. Which candidate reflects your values? Which one will push for an America that is more just, more prosperous, more opportune for all people? I hope you’ll join me and my wife in choosing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Thanks for listening. You can find more than 75 other shows at my website… You can also subscribe to my Track Express newsletter. Keep moving on your journey to well-being!
