Dianne Hales

Because Harris has demonstrated a deep respect for the First Amendment and the role of free speech in fostering open dialogue

As a journalist and author, I am voting for Kamala Harris because she understands the significance of words and will protect our freedom to write what we see, think, believe, and experience.

Donald Trump uses, misuses, and abuses words just as he does women—boldly, coldly, cruelly, recklessly, spewing ignorance, fomenting malice. The words that come out of the man’s mouth reveal the thoughts in his head. He speaks—and thinks—only of “I,” never of “you.” “They”—the sinister, evil, greatly-to-be-feared others—appear often, representing immigrants, Democrats, elites, people of color, anyone he chooses to demonize. “We,” a buzzword in his 2016 campaign, has faded from his vocabulary.

Trump cannot, will not, correctly pronounce a three-syllable word as simple as “comma” plus “la.” He mangles words like “democracy” and “constitution” just as he would mangle what they stand for. He confuses dates, years, presidents, candidates, countries, people, and places in a meaningless verbal jumble.

Trump’s vocabulary, described years ago as at a fourth-grade level, has greatly diminished since. He swears more, curses more, demeans more. In a recent analysis, the National Bureau of Economic Analysis documented a steady rise in violent words in his speeches—more than any American politician in recent history and almost as many as Fidel Castro in one of his incendiary May Day rants.

In contrast, Kamala Harris understands the power of words to shape our society and define our beliefs. In her long career as a public servant and a defender of civil rights, she has demonstrated deep respect for the First Amendment and the role of free speech in fostering open dialogue. She recognizes that the ability to express what we think and believe is at the heart of personal freedom and that words, whether in speech or stories, can be a force for change.

Our ability to speak and write freely is essential to the strength of our democracy. I am proud to cast my vote and use my words to support Kamala Harris for our next president and defender of our sacred freedoms.

Dianne Hales is the author of best-selling trade and college textbooks, including La Bella Lingua and thirty editions of An Invitation to Health.