Do Not Make Us Come Down There
When Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination, she quickly gained momentum. Grassroots groups like Black Women for Harris, Win with Black Women, and Black Girls Vote organized a Zoom call that drew 44,000 participants, raised $1.4 million USD, and recruited 10,000 new volunteers. This surge of support kicked off a series of advocacy groups for Harris, from Women for Harris to Men for Harris—and even Republicans for Harris.
While there is no official Canadians for Harris group, she has the backing of myself and many other Canadians. Although we cannot vote or donate, we are closely following her campaign, discussing it with our American friends, and urging them to vote. A Harris victory would be symbolically significant as she would become both the first woman and the first Black South Asian president. She supports progressive policies on women’s rights, climate action, and economic reform—issues that also affect Canada. Plus, she has a personal connection to Canada, having lived in Montreal during her youth. A win for Harris would resonate with many Canadians.
Voting Has Become Harder
I have been engaged in politics for decades. I have voted in every election since I was eighteen and have always encouraged others to do the same. But over the past two decades, voting has become increasingly difficult. Social media’s rise and traditional journalism’s decline have led to the spread of disinformation, shaping and polarizing voters’ opinions. Climate change has struggled to capture the public’s attention, with many politicians either hesitating to introduce progressive policies or actively campaigning against them. It is hard to vote when all politicians seem the same, endlessly discussing economic growth while the environment collapses around us. A so-called “green economy” is still a capitalist one, structured to benefit the wealthy.
Harris and the Democrats are branded as radical leftists by their opponents, but to many Canadians, all American politicians appear right-wing. The Democrats are more educated and secular compared to the conspiracy-driven, religious Republicans, but both are still right-leaning. Democrats are more libertarian when it comes to women’s autonomy over their bodies, while Republicans are more libertarian on gun rights, yet neither party fully addresses the most critical issues. People do not get the chance to vote on the things that really matter. They do not get to vote on whether military profiteering and wars should continue. They do not get to vote on whether billionaires should exist while so many people struggle to survive.
Harris and the Democrats are branded as radical leftists by their opponents, but to many Canadians, all American politicians appear right-wing
Similar patterns exist in so-called left-wing Canada. Our Liberal government introduced a reasonable carbon tax but then also built new oil pipelines. Our Conservative opposition would scrap the carbon tax and boost oil production. The New Democratic Party (NDP) offers only modest relief to those enduring environmental collapse. Each election, it becomes harder to find a compelling reason to vote.
Voting for Harris Is Hard
I have reservations about Harris. During the presidential debate, Harris was poised, articulate, and well-prepared with facts and reasoned arguments. However, she often felt heavily scripted, repeating talking points about her middle-class upbringing, giving little opportunity to hear her speak off-the-cuff. This is true of many politicians—they play it safe.
Harris panders to the right. We have heard numerous times that she owns a Glock and enjoys shooting it at the range, reassuring the right that she will not take away their guns. She highlights her endorsement from Dick Cheney. Remember Cheney’s role as vice president during the Iraq War and his support for torture? Harris also flipped on her stance on fracking to win Pennsylvania.
The most troubling issue is Gaza. With reports of 40,000 civilians killed—primarily women and children—allegations of sexual violence by Israeli forces, and the war expanding into Lebanon and other nearby countries, global attention is desperately needed. Yet, what we get from Harris is a script: Israel has the right to defend itself, the suffering is terrible, we need a ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration just sent billions in new military funding. The only presidential candidate standing against the genocide is Jill Stein of the Green Party, who has no chance of winning or making a significant impact.
Voting for Harris Is Harm Reduction
I dislike strategic voting, the practice of voting for a candidate you do not fully support just to avoid splitting the vote and electing someone worse. I have often voted for the Canadian Green Party despite the risk of inadvertently helping the Conservative candidate win. I value voting on principle.
Yet, I would vote strategically for Harris to avoid the greater risk of a Trump victory. That is my most pressing concern. In 2016, Trump was already known to be a self-serving, misogynistic liar. By 2024, he is a bankrupt, vindictive felon. A second Trump presidency poses even graver dangers. With Roe v. Wade overturned, a federal abortion ban looms. Trump’s refusal to reform border policies worsened the immigration crisis, and mass deportations could be enforced with military power. He could weaponize the president’s office for personal vengeance and perpetual power, and he may form an alliance with Russia.
Some argue that democracy is failing, that it exists to serve capitalism, and that capitalism will never address the climate crisis. The collapse of civilization, they say, is already in progress. Perhaps, they suggest, a Trump-like win is inevitable, and the entire system must crumble for humanity to rebuild. But a Trump win now would cause immense suffering. A Harris win would at least slow the collapse and reduce that suffering. Voting for Harris is an act of harm reduction.
Do Not Make Us Come Down There
Here in Canada, we expect our own federal election in 2025, and the U.S. election feels like a preview. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are faltering in the polls after years in office, and he may soon face pressure from within his party to step down, much like Biden. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader is dubbed “Trump North” for his populist rhetoric, attacks on the media, and right-wing base.
My American neighbors, we Canadians do not want another Trump presidency. Do not make us come down there. Do the right thing: vote for Harris. Once Trump is soundly defeated, hold Harris accountable on urgent issues like Gaza, the growing war, and the dire need for climate action.
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Published on October 13, 2024
Updated on December 11, 2024