LETTER: Voting for Harris will preserve our rights

Voting Harris will preserve our rights

I am writing to urge that your readers vote for Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, regardless of party affiliation, and even if their enthusiasm level is low. Our votes are necessary in order to preserve the right to vote — our own right to vote in future elections and the right of the younger and future generations.

Donald Trump has acknowledged that if elected, he will be a dictator on Day One. What can that mean? Think of the version of “Aladdin” in which the genie doesn’t mention the rule that you can’t use one of your wishes to wish for additional wishes. If he is so inclined, Trump can use Day One to declare a national state of emergency, which he can keep in effect indefinitely. And he can use that state of emergency to fulfill his promise of vengeance against those who have opposed him politically or in the courts or who have criticized him (including, specifically, journalists). Throw into the mix his stated opinion that the U.S. Constitution should be suspended. Can we afford to assume that he doesn’t mean what he says? I say we can’t.

Remember, Day One will be the first day of the rest of the nation’s life. The only vote that will ensure the preservation of our rights and the Constitutional balance of power is a vote for Kamala Harris.

Ira Bolnick

Albuquerque