Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City and has been connected to Iowa’s public schools for 38 years. He taught for eleven years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association regional director for 27 years until retiring. He can be reached at BruceLear2419@gmail.com
A weekend ago, I door knocked in a small town near Sioux City. Canvassing for political candidates is an adventure, raising important questions.
Is Cujo’s chain strong enough? Will I fall through the porch? Is the person peeking through the curtains willing to open the door for what might look like a white-haired Ted Bundy? Can I get this done before the start of the football game?
There were no obvious hazards, and the people I talked to were mostly “Iowa nice,” even if some probably thought I was “a woke Communist.” A lot of people weren’t home. But this guy answered the knock. I could tell by his expression; he wasn’t welcoming me in for cookies and coffee. I made my doorstep pitch.
With a scowl, he snarled, “I don’t do politics. They’re all alike. I don’t vote.” The door slammed shut.
I’ve been thinking about that since Saturday. The teacher in me wanted to deliver a doorstep civics lecture. But the old door knocker in me knew it would be received like it would be at a Moms for Liberty rally.
In my fantasy, I’d win the argument, and he’d have a Road to Damascus moment where he’d see the light and convert from a so-called “double hater,” to a political activist.
That didn’t happen.
Instead, I climbed in my hot car and drove toward the next door.
I’d never met a “double hater,” until I met the snarling guy at the door. He actually believes there’s no difference between the political parties, the candidates, or the campaigns, so his vote won’t change anything for better or for worse.
He’s in political purgatory.
That must be a difficult place to dwell. No change is possible if he believes both political parties, and their candidates, hold identical policies and values.
He is wrong. There’s a difference.
Those in political purgatory need to ask themselves some simple questions to see which candidate most closely shares their values. Policies change. Values should not.
After all, Vice President Kamala Harris has made policy changes since she was running for president in 2019. Former President Donald Trump has changed his position recently on abortion at least three times in three days.
Values are what shouldn’t change.
I’ve answered these questions for myself. I’m voting for Harris/Walz Now, it’s your turn to get informed and ask yourselves questions.
- Which presidential candidate has unwavering values that you can relate to?
- Which presidential candidate would you want your children to model themselves after?
- Which presidential candidate would you want as your neighbor?
- Which presidential candidate is forward thinking instead of reliving the past?
- Which presidential candidate uses common sense?
- Which presidential candidate will protect basic freedoms for everyone?
- Which presidential candidate is optimistic about the future of America?
- Which presidential candidate can better relate to your problems?
- Which presidential candidate is the more honest?
- Which presidential candidate uses language that you are comfortable repeating in any setting?
- Which presidential candidate do you trust in an emergency?
- Which presidential candidate will ensure our form of government will thrive?
- Which presidential candidate shares all or most of your values?
- Which presidential candidate has a background similar to yours?
Please look at the choices. One of these teams will become president and vice president. Neither are perfect, but it’s not the candidates versus perfection.
God isn’t running.
The choice is between Donald Trump/JD Vance or Kamala Harris/Tim Walz. People have sacrificed and died to make voting your choice possible. It’s a way to escape from political purgatory. Use it.
Top image: Representation of ballot with options to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz or Donald Trump and JD Vance. Work is by Kilmer Media, available via Shutterstock.