I believe there’s a serious problem with the way many of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ supporters — and possibly her campaign itself — have been framing the gender issue in terms of how it intersects with concerns about the economy. Many of those working-class men — Black, white, Latino — who are leaning toward Donald Trump aren’t necessarily doing it because they’re misogynists; with all respect to Barack Obama, I think he got that one wrong. They’re doing it largely because for most of their lives, their self-image and “identity” have revolved around their role as breadwinners, as the primary support for their families. Those days are gone, and they’re feeling as if their role in life is being threatened.
We can say that these views are patriarchal, masculinist and a lot of other things, and by modern standards, they may well be, but to the men themselves, their views are honorable and admirable, and they don’t like having “isms” thrown at them when they express these views. This, I think, is one of the great unacknowledged problems with the way Harris’ supporters have framed the economic issue.
People who consider their traditional role as good, hardworking providers to be a core essential of who they are, and now see their ability to continue in that role being threatened, don’t like to be mocked or labeled for thinking this way.
— David G. Whiteis, Chicago
Holding nose for Trump?
I have heard that some Republicans are saying that they don’t approve of Donald Trump’s character but that they will “hold their nose” to vote for him because he is the Republican candidate. I do not understand that attitude; you either approve of the candidate and vote for him or her, or you don’t approve of the candidate and then do not vote for that person. Not approving of the candidate and then voting for him or her just because of party is lazy thinking.
Currently, one candidate has said that he will suspend or cancel the Constitution. He has also said that he will be a dictator on day one. In my opinion, that is really the only fact that needs to be considered. If the wanna-be dictator, Trump, is elected, then our country will be doomed. Read Project 2025.
In the past, if the candidate who was elected was not the one I supported, I felt that the country would still be OK. Now, if Trump is elected, I feel that our country will be doomed. I feel we will lose our standing in the world.
I have heard people say that prices were lower under Trump, and from the way they talk, they seem to think that if Trump gets elected, then prices will magically go down. In the 50-plus years that I have been voting, presidents do not set prices, so electing Trump will not bring prices down.
— Mary McCarthy, Downers Grove
‘Democracy on the ballot’
Much has been said and written about the fact that democracy is on the ballot this election. The concern for Democrats seems to be that if Donald Trump gets elected, he will become a dictator. While admittedly Trump has many faults, I do not think his ambition is to become a dictator. What never seems to be mentioned is the risk that If Kamala Harris is elected, we may move closer to becoming a socialistic state.
I suspect that both these concerns are a bit unrealistic since I’m confident there are sufficient safeguards in our Constitution to prevent these outcomes. However, I believe the risk of moving toward a socialistic state if Harris is elected if is much greater than of Trump leading us into a fascist state.
Therefore, voters need not be overly concerned that “democracy is on the ballot.”
— Dan Schuchardt, Glen Ellyn
US oligarchs for Trump
Russia’s Vladimir Putin rather quickly and systematically erased whatever threads of democracy remained in his country. At the same time, he gathered around himself a loyal group of oligarchs who had gained their wealth, often by suspect means, as Putin looked the other way.
Candidate Donald Trump seems to want to duplicate this pattern. He seems contemptuous of our democratic government of checks and balances, of equal justice and opportunity, and of personal and institutional freedoms.
Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and other billionaires seem ready to join his inner circle of privilege.
— Mary F. Warren, Wheaton
Trump won’t help economy
I find it curious that people who are concerned about the economy and inflation think that Donald Trump will manage this better. If you want to see food prices go up, just wait and see what happens if Trump tries his massive deportation. And his plan to place high tariffs on foreign products will result in those costs being passed along to consumers.
If you want to see the economy tank for the lower and middle class, if you want to see the rich acquire even more wealth, then by all means vote for Trump. But don’t pretend that Trump is going to do anything for the economy except what benefits his pocket.
— Peter Felitti, Chicago
Time for different leadership
According to a recent poll, 60% of respondents feel the country is heading in the wrong direction. It sounds like it’s a good time to turn that around by voting out the current administration and trying something different.
— Charles VanDercamp, Kirkwood, Missouri
Example of tariffs’ ill effects
The coverage of Donald Trump’s tariff proposals lacks historical perspective. Someone should research (and mention) the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. Those tariffs are widely regarded as a contributor to the Great Depression.
— J.C. Leavy, Oak Park
How money affects the race
For the first time, I voted early.
I had a couple motivations to do so: to avoid the Election Day crowds and to stop the incessant pleas for money. The line to vote was short, but the calls for cash continue.
It was my fault. I donated to support a candidate I know is in sync with my views and values. I know campaigns are expensive to run, and I feel that my donation was money well spent. The TV, radio and print ads, campaign stops and rallies give us insight into the differences between the candidates. The tally of money donated to campaigns is into the billions! Think of what good that money would do to feed the hungry, heal the sick, house the homeless.
We need to choose our representatives in government based on their platforms and character, not on which billionaires supply them with the most money.
Yes, I voted early this time — with my pocketbook. I hope the next time will be different.
— Pam Skinner, Palatine
Don’t normalize his behavior
News stories reporting on candidate Donald Trump routinely include the phrases “falsely claimed” and “without evidence.” These phrases have come to define Trump. But while the reporting is an accurate depiction of his strategy of lying about virtually everything, it also seems to normalize this completely unacceptable behavior.
News media should highlight and investigate the lies Trump continues to spread, rather than state impassively that Trump has again “falsely claimed” one of his key talking points.
— Gerry McGovern, Naperville
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