To the Editor:

Both Harris and Trump have taken vows to uphold the Constitution, but only Trump has said that the Constitution is optional if he loses the election.

Both have had experience in the WH and national government, but Harris did not foment a violent insurrection at the Capitol against a constitutional process as did Trump, who has intermittently admitted his “Big Lie,” rejected by all courts including SCOTUS.

Harris has published an Economic Opportunity document outlining her national proposals. Policy-Book-Economic-Opportunity.pdf (kamalaharris.com). Trump has a “concept of a plan” but laughably denies his source document, Project 2025, though his name appears in it 318 times.

Harris fights for the rights of women to insist on authority over their own reproductive health. Trump, an adjudicated rapist and self-proclaimed “p*ssy-grabber” who “moved on her like a b*tch,” promises that, “[women] will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will be protected, and I will be your protector.” Harris’ response was that American women don’t need Trump’s “protection,” they demand to be TRUSTED with their own reproductive health decisions, and not stand mute while politicians banter about just how much bodily freedom women should be allowed.

Both have extensive knowledge of law enforcement and the court system. Harris, as a long-time criminal prosecutor specializing in sexual abuse cases and corporate fraud and malfeasance, and Trump as a defendant.
Harris and Biden have demonstrated the political principles and will to support those in need, while Trump wants to legislate nationalized “Old Testament Christianity,” which the First Amendment forbids.

Harris and Biden are notoriously pro-Labor and Trump is anything but. He has praised Elon Musk for his willingness to fire people “at will,” suspend pensions, and spontaneously reduce employee rights. He has stiffed his own non-union employees for overtime. Trump despises anyone not wealthy, but only after they’ve voted for him.

Harris believes that our financial inequality can be improved, as it historically has, by increasing taxes on the very wealthy who magnificently benefit from the infrastructure for which we all have paid. In a democracy, a healthy capitalistic system requires a strong Middle-Class to flourish. Trump promises to renew his tax breaks for the wealthy.
Harris has never threatened opponents or endorsed a despotic leader. Trump has, frequently. Of course the Russian Invasion of Ukraine would never have happened, had Trump been president! He would have deferred to Russia at the first car backfire. All he has to do is appease the tyrant and, conflict over!

The rejection of Trump isn’t about political party any more. It is confounding that ordinary Americans, who otherwise ably function in our world, many of whom are known to me as intelligent, caring, and devoted Americans, still embrace Trump’s concocted persona, continuous lies, vengeful promises, and authoritarian prospect for our democracy, even after he has repeatedly disparaged military wounded and dead, and belittles “believers” in private. Democrats, some Republicans and Independents, recognize Trump’s ilk from history.

Maybe the base thinks it will land on the right side of Trumpism, whatever comes. But history shows that authoritarians have no loyalty once they secure power, unless the minions conform always, and completely. Trump has revealed many, many times, his lack of allegiance to others, even friends. Loyalty is a one-way street for Trump, in his direction.

Kelly Scoles,
Filmore, Ca