Elisa Zied

Because my late mother would want us to vote from our hearts and choose Harris and Walz

When Donald Trump won the presidential election in 2016, my heart broke. So did my mother’s. Sure, like many Americans we once found the outspoken reality TV boss amusing and entertaining. But his rhetoric, which included lewd and derogatory comments about women and despicable comments about senator and former prisoner of war John McCain, told us that his brand of crassness and entitlement had no place in the Oval Office. And when we subsequently faced a global pandemic marked by the loss of life as we knew it—and far too many lives—every appearance, every utterance Trump made, showed he had zero capacity to comfort a nation wracked by grief and uncertainty about the future. And it proved he was unfit to lead or serve in any capacity, let alone in the most powerful position in the free world.

Sadly, my sweet, talented, and wonderful mother, Barbara Carole Sickmen, unexpectedly passed away in April 2021. I’d like to think she somehow knows the former president was finally held to at least some account by being found liable of sexual abuse against E. Jean Carroll, and by becoming a convicted felon, guilty of thirty-four felony counts of falsified business records. And I know if she were here, she would not want any of us to have to endure another four years under Trump—a man who talks more than he listens, bullies and blames others for his failings, thrives on sowing division, lies, cheats, and lacks humility and basic kindness, and has no clear plan to help the American people in any capacity. His fuel is revenge, and his focus is never on what’s best for our country and the American people, but what’s best for him and him alone.

I have no doubt that, like me, my late mother would want us to vote from our hearts—to choose Harris and Walz, not only for their empathy and compassion but for their vision of a united nation where people can agree to disagree but still come together—especially during hard times. Aren’t we all grieving something? Unlike the Republican candidate for president and his running mate (who once compared Trump to Hitler), Harris and Walz will always have our backs. They are experienced and capable leaders who I believe will do everything in their power to hear our voices, our cries; unite rather than divide us; and keep us all safe and secure—something we should not have to question or worry about, especially when we face challenging, difficult times, both personally and collectively. 

Elisa Zied is an award-winning author and proud daughter.