I might have knocked on your door recently. I don’t like to bother people. It is not in my nature to knock unexpectedly, even if I know you. How awkward.
But several months ago I was inspired to knock by Pete Buttigieg and his campaign for president.
Buttigieg is a candidate whose actions and policies are founded on values that we all share, and who has made them an integral part of his campaign. He brings these values and a fresh perspective as a candidate from outside of Washington who isn’t caught up in political games and who is ready to unify Americans and start getting things done.
Buttigieg has asked that all his campaign staff and volunteers follow values he calls his “Rules of the Road”: respect, responsibility, belonging, substance, truth, discipline, teamwork, excellence, boldness and joy.
If you look into these “rules” you will find the depth of the message behind each one. “Joy,” for example: “Along the way we will all get many opportunities to lift one another up and lift up those we encounter.”
What a breath of fresh air. Finally, a candidate who is focused on winning an election under a banner of kindness instead of turning us against each other.
This kind of attitude is what it will take to bring Americans together after Donald Trump’s presidency ends.
Add to this his authenticity, his intelligence, his military service, his executive experience and his calm temperament and I have found a candidate I can believe in and for whom I am willing to boldly knock on your door.
I know he is the right candidate to unite Americans around ending climate change, solving the gun violence epidemic, raising wages and getting things done for all of us.
Many thanks to those who have answered my knock. Let’s look forward to a future when our shared values of respect, responsibility, truth and joy are the foundation of our government and of our personal interactions.
Please join me in voting for Pete Buttigieg for president.
JEAN BELDING FAY
Enfield
It’s ironic that the father of the president who claims his predecessor was born in Kenya was born in Germany, who bans Muslims from entering America, whose goal is to wall off one border to immigrants and cage asylum seekers indefinitely and who pokes fun at the dead could be taken down a notch by a long-deceased immigrant named Alexander Hamilton.
The child in the principal’s office will have four more years to get into trouble, as investigations of past indiscretions continue. Who knows what will he’ll do in 2022?
This “multiplier-in-chief” will likely be impeached three times. Mitch “The Grim Reaper” McConnell should put on another pot of coffee. Perhaps a caffeinated turtle can finally sign passed bills?
It’s up to voters to decide if Lady Liberty is leading us to the “shining beacon on the hill” or down a rabbit hole like we’ve never seen before.
STEPHEN HANDLEY JR.
Grantham
Simple question for congressional Republicans: When we again have a Democratic president, will you be OK with that president seeking the help of a foreign government in digging up disparaging information (even lies) about his electoral opponents?
ABNER J. SCHLABACH
East Barnard
Please inform me on how our government compiles its weekly new jobs figure. Does a company in Ohio hire a guy to clean bathrooms in an office building then call an 800 number in Washington?
ROGER SMALL
Claremont