The value of liberty

The Sept. 10 debate clearly showed the differences between the candidates for President Donald Trump ‘s primary purpose is to make “America Greater Again,” which means to line his own pockets. Trump made up to $160 million from international business dealings while he served as president.

Kamala Harris’ primary purpose is to unite. She understands our world is bigger than herself and she wants to partner with all of us in what she sees as a shared vision to advance the common good.

Read Trump’s inaugural address. His promises have been empty. During his tenure, 1,800 factories disappeared, the trade deficit in manufactured goods rose significantly, people lacking health insurance rose by 3 million, 100,000 Americans have been killed by gun violence, handgun production rose 12.5% and food insecurity increased for children by excluding 5 million children from SNAP dollars.

Since his tenure, it has never been more clear what restrictions a Trump presidency would mean, eliminating a woman’s right to choose, rising partisanship, voter suppression and extreme gerrymandering. Freedom of religion, color, sexual orientation and education are compromised.

Kamala Harris looks forward. She is reaching out to us to build relationships across party lines and work to “advance” the future of our country and the country of those coming behind us. She understands time is infinite. Progress we make now could lead to a gradual lifting up of our country, our people and ourselves. This was our founding father’s dream when they penned the constitution. Benjamin Franklin said” where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

John F. Kennedy ended his inaugural speech, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

The final question is how much is “liberty” important to you?

Martha Newlin

Aurora