It’s really about your character, not Trump’s

I was a lifelong republican until a few years ago and am now registered as an independent. On November 5th, I am looking for a presidential candidate who will uphold the constitution and the principles upon which our country was founded.

In 2020, Trump refused to accept the results of the presidential election and on January 6, 2021, attempted to violently overturn congressional certification. When he presided over the January 6, 2021 joint session of Congress, Vice President Pence stated that Trump pressured him to illegally delay congressional action on the certification of the November 5 election in an effort to seat fake voters When Pence refused, Trump told Pence, “You’re too honest.” When Pence’s life was threatened in the Jan. 6 uprising, Trump declared, “So what?” As Trump pressured Pence to violate the constitution on January 6, Pence declared that he cannot vote for Trump.

Trump has worked to undermine the bedrock of our democracy, voter confidence in free and fair elections. Unless he wins an election, he is rigged. In previous years, a presidential candidate may have briefly contested the results of the election, but then conceded to the winner. Not Trump. Trump never admitted that he lost the 2020 election despite more than 60 court cases upholding the election results and despite recounts in several states. Never before has a presidential candidate argued that the election was rigged as part of a political platform and refused to concede the results. Undermining voters’ faith in our elections is their latest mistake, and if this message continues, it will destroy our citizens’ trust in our democracy, ultimately leading to anarchy. Ironically, a rigged election was not an issue before Trump became the candidate. A recent poll showed that 46 percent of Republicans would not accept the outcome if Trump lost on November 5. Unfortunately, his message has become entrenched. This is scary.

Kamala Harris in her work as Attorney General. senator and vice president defended the principles of our democracy and our constitution. When you vote on November 5th, the choice is between a candidate who violated the principles of our constitution, is a convicted felon, calls Vladimir Putin a friend and offers fear, hate, chaos and retribution on his platform or we can to vote for a candidate who promises to defend the constitution and the principles on which our country was founded and promises hope.

As a five-year military veteran, including service in Vietnam, I cannot vote for someone who calls my comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice, “shitholes and losers.”

It’s not about Trump’s character anymore. It’s a question whether his character matters to you.

Tom Berge is a neighbor of the town of Charlotte.