Do your homework
Last night we watched and listened to our fine country’s president refuse to renounce violent neo-Nazi white supremacists, and upon further prompting to condemn them, he instead replied, “The Proud Boys — stand back and stand by.” He also reiterated his often-repeated claims that he has reason to be prepared to challenge the results of the election if he doesn’t win.
If you haven’t already done so, please look up the fact checks for the debate, for both candidates. Judge the debate based on facts that are real, please. Just because a statement is repeatedly and forcefully asserted does not make it true.
I urge everyone to look hard at the true facts about the respective candidates, then get out and vote. Consider their characters carefully.
Please look hard at their respective political performances and for whose benefit they have invested their public energies. Have they served the interests of their constituency and placed those interests higher than their own interests? Please thoughtfully go through the same process and consider the other dominant issues, including their stewardship of the world’s health, economy, physical environment, political relationships and socioeconomic status.
The current issues surrounding racial equality deserve all of our soul searching and best energy. Positive change must occur, and be based in sincere social development.
Our fine military and law enforcement members deserve our wholehearted support and gratitude, including leadership that culls out anyone who turns out to he unworthy.
We must have strong relationships with like-minded foreign countries. We need our allies.
Finally, none of our social developments will benefit mankind for long if we do not recognize the truth of science and act accordingly. That includes the issues of our environment as well as our health.
Being a responsible citizen includes you taking time to study all of the issues, then voting for leaders who will work to support your values.
Please use these last days before the election to study the characters, beliefs and performance of everyone on your ballot. Satisfy yourself that they will advance the beliefs of their constituency over their personal interests. Then put your vote to work to strengthen our country and provide the future you want for yourselves and the young people you love.
Jami Sales
Paauilo