We are better off because of better character

I believe we are better off today than we were four years ago for the following reasons.

Neither President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s current nominee for president, have been convicted of sexual assault and defamation.

Neither have been found liable for fraud or ordered to pay $454 million, as was Donald Trump when Judge Arthur Engoron found him and his sons liable for fraud in the civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letita James. Neither has been convicted of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records.

Neither is spreading lies or making false claims about immigrants eating people’s pets, to feign concern of over border security and immigration policies. These persistent lies by Trump and JD Vance resulted in multiple bomb threats against schools and municipal buildings in Springfield, Ohio.

If Republicans are really concerned about border security and immigration policies, why did they refuse to even consider a bill that was written and negotiated by Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford last February?

According to fellow negotiator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona — “Less than 24 hours after we released the bill, my Republican colleagues changed their minds,” said Sinema. “Turns out they want all talk and no action. It turns out border security is not a risk to our national security. It’s just a talking point for the election.”

Neither is bragging about the reversal of Roe vs. Wade which has led many states to enact abortion bans with no exceptions for rape or incest and that have had a negative impact on women’s health care — including death, because health care providers are legally prohibited from providing lifesaving care.

Character matters and by that measure I believe we are better off today.

C.W. Beardsley

Arlington Heights