Undecideds, independents and even some Republicans should back Harris

This is an appeal to undecided presidential voters, independent voters, and Republicans who have not joined the Trump cult. Even though many of you have genuine policy disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz, which I respect, I urge you to vote for the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the best choice for our country.

Donald Trump is a convicted criminal, found guilty of 34 felonies by a jury of his peers. A jury that his own attorneys helped to select. That’s the way the justice system works in the United States and has for more than 200 years.

But he has actually been indicted for committing criminal acts by five different grand juries in several jurisdictions. He has been charged with nearly 100 felonies. Most of those indictments are awaiting further action. If he is not elected as President, he is facing many days in courtrooms.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Donald Trump summoned a mob to Washington D C in an attempt to subvert the peaceful transition of power after a free and fair election. That was after his lawyers had filed 60 actions before judges in several states, some of those judges appointed by Trump, contesting the legitimacy of the election. All allegations of election improprieties were determined to be unfounded. But Trump still has not accepted the results of the 2020 presidential election.

A few months ago, Mike Pence, Trump’s Vice President, announced the he will not be backing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. According to various reports, nearly 40 former Trump cabinet members will not endorse him, either. Some have said that Donald Trump should never again set foot in the Oval Office.

Trump has twice been impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, mocked military heroes and military service, and expressed admiration for some of the most dangerous and despicable dictators on the international scene including war criminal Vladimir Putin.

How will you ever explain to your children and grandchildren that you voted for Donald Trump?

If, on the other hand, you vote for Kamala Harris, here’s the worst than will happen. The bipartisan immigration bill, supported by some of the most conservative Republican members of Congress, will be reintroduced. She will oppose a national ban on abortion and a ban on IVF (both potential bans are opposed by strong majorities of Americans). She will work to extend the child tax credit to help young families, and she will propose a tax credit of $25,000 for first time homebuyers. To counter mass shootings she will urge that Congress pass legislation to enact a red flag law, require universal background checks, and ban assault weapons (all three supported by a majority of Americans). And she will continue to support actions, already passed, to combat climate change and preserve our planet for our grandchildren.

Even those actions will not happen unless Kamala Harris is elected AND the Democrats also acquire majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

And she has even promised to appoint a Republican to her cabinet to make sure policy debates include all viewpoints.

For our country, for democracy, for our planet, and for our children and future generations, please join me in voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Ralph Plagman is a retired educator, having worked as a teacher and administrator in the Cedar Rapids Schools for nearly 50 years.