LETTER: In this election, our duty is to vote for person over party

To Ozaukee Press:

Driving though Port and taking in the opposing political signs next door to one another, it’s hard to ignore how this presidential election is so different. It’s so charged with polarization.

I began to look back at other presidential races (1968 and on) and think about how it felt at the time. Some elections were more exciting than others, but spirited dialogue around opposing political views was normal. Disagreements were respected.

Now, in this political climate, to disagree means “we are a dangerous enemy from within and lunatics,” as Trump stated in the Fox interview with Maria Bartiromo. Neighbors living side by side, sharing daily lives in Port with different political views, aren’t enemies. Or they didn’t used to be.

The America we know is the Constitution, rule of law, peaceful transfer of power and our three branches of government. For that America to continue, the only vote that matters is who we elect for president. In this election, our presidential vote will determine for us all if we continue as Americans. This election isn’t about red or blue parties. It’s about who we vote for to uphold democracy.

We are called to duty as Americans to vote for person over party. Liz Cheney reminded us that George Washington said, “Democracy is the last great experiment for promoting happiness.” Vote this time so we’re guaranteed the Constitution survives.

Marian Baud