On November 5, 2024, Americans across the country will flood the polls to cast their vote for one of the two radically different presidential candidates: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. The outcome of this year’s presidential election will not only shape the next four years of our lives but also the future of the nation’s democracy. The United States’ democratic government is the backbone of the country, and every vote in this election is a vote to either protect that democracy or potentially destroy it.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump hold vastly different ideologies due to their contrasting values. Modern fundamental issues present in the United States include but are not limited to, gun control, reproductive rights, immigration and border security, and climate change. On every single one of these issues, the viewpoints of Harris and Trump differ greatly; ultimately, this has led to a society so politically polarized that the candidate one chooses to support has become a defining factor of their character. For instance, on the topic of gun control, Harris has continuously voiced her support for the banning of all assault weapons and has called for more rigorous background checks for prospective gun owners. Trump, on the other hand, has expressed the belief that mass shootings “are not a gun problem”. According to NBC News, his exact words on the matter were that, “this is a mental health problem, this is a social problem, this is a cultural problem, this is a spiritual problem”. Rather than addressing the root cause of these tragedies, Trump places complete blame on less impactful factors solely to protect the second amendment right to bear arms.
However, choosing who to vote for in this election does not only come down to the ideologies of the two candidates—morality plays a significant role. While many voters have expressed uncertainty regarding Harris’ policies, there are certain aspects of her character that are far more important than that. The most obvious one is her morals. To put it simply, Kamala Harris possesses a moral compass while Donald Trump does not. He never fails to prioritize his own personal gain over what is best for the nation and has repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for basic human rights.This fact is evident in the issue of reproductive rights, as Trump has openly opposed a woman’s right to have an abortion under any circumstances, revealing his lack of empathy and his desire to strip women of their autonomy. On the other hand, Harris has expressed her support for a woman’s right to choose, whether that entails having an abortion or not.
Recognizing global issues that do not pertain to politics is a vital trait for a president to possess. However, in regards to the climate change crisis that only continues to worsen, Trump has refused to acknowledge the problem or take action to combat it. In 2017, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, an international climate treaty that proposed solutions to attempt to mitigate climate change in the coming years. His ignorance could have detrimental effects on future generations as the condition of the environment continues to deteriorate. However, as Vice President, Harris helped pass a federal investment to finance clean energy and environmental initiatives. While her acknowledgement of this crisis should be the bare minimum, especially for presidential candidates, the circumstances of this election are unprecedented and have shown that people will blindly follow and trust the words of someone just because they support them.
It is clear that this moment in history goes far beyond policy—it is about maintaining American democracy and upholding simple moral principles. Now more than ever, it is crucial for voters to consider each candidate’s individual values and how their presidential term will shape the future of the United States.