For quite a while during this election season, when someone would ask me why I’d ever vote for Donald Trump, I wallowed into a conversation that always ended with me asking “Why do you focus on the minor things that the media always emphasizes, such as mean tweets and hyperbolic comments?”

I’ve discovered that allowing myself to constantly be on the defensive, talking about things which in the larger scheme of things are irrelevant is not the way to win hearts and minds, or change an opinion or vote one iota.

After thinking about our presidential elections over the past fifty to sixty years, I realized that quite often I have held my nose and voted for those who I thought would be more likely to support the things important to me than the opposing party, although I didn’t particularly like who I voted for.

Why should this election be any different? Donald Trump is most definitely not perfect. No man is, of course. But before you get lost in mean tweets and his hyperbolic comments, think critically about what you (like me) as an American, really and truly value and would like to see supported and implemented for our country.

I believe there’s a pretty stark contrast between the policies and ideologies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. It’s also my belief that Mr. Trump’s policies and ideology, partly demonstrated during his first term, more closely align with what I believe is best for our country as a whole. I believe this is true for individual citizens of all economic situations, as well as our kids and grandkids, looking forward.

A number of things are vitally important during this particular election. These are the things I believe will flourish in a Trump/Vance administration. Conversely, I believe these things will wither in a Harris/Walz administration:

The First Amendment and freedom of speech. As Americans, the right to speak our opinions without fear of reprisal or censorship is sacred.

We need secure borders and legal immigration. We are a melting pot and when immigration is orderly, new arrivals have the opportunity to assimilate and join our unique culture.

The Second Amendment safeguards all our other rights. I want to know that my right to defend my life and my family will never be endangered.

Our police forces need to be respected and well-funded. I’ll never vote for someone who believes differently.

I never want to see our cities burn again, especially not in Minnesota. Thanks to Tim Walz we lost many small businesses that could never recover. Rioters need to be prosecuted, not provided bail by a politician who then became Vice President.

I am not in favor of George Soros DA’s creating a revolving door for criminals to escape responsibility for their crimes and allowing them back on the streets.

The composition of the Supreme Court is vitally important in our litigious society and I want to see Justices who will adhere to and protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Also for the appointment of Federal Judges who respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I want to see an end to the endless funneling of our tax money to Ukraine, and for an end to American involvement in endless foreign wars in which we have zero national interest and which pose no national security threats to our country.

Preserving the Electoral College and our Republic is important to me.

I’m voting to bring back our manufacturing jobs from China, Mexico and other countries.

Doing away with all of the freebies given to illegal immigrants while ignoring the needs of homeless veterans struggling with physical and mental issues caused by their sacrificial service to our country.

Keeping transgender men out of women’s sports and locker rooms by finally getting rid of the rule in Title IX that allows this.

Peace progress in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords were a good start.

Child trafficking is a blight on our government. I want to vote for someone who will put teeth into ending it.

Freedom of religion.

The return of teaching math, history, and science. No more DEI agendas in our schools.

Hopefully you are able to see that I’m not voting for a person, but an administration that will put the interests of our country and the principles that founded it as its first priority. These things enabled it to become the strongest, greatest country in the world. It’s not perfect, but I want America’s best days to still be ahead, not behind us. In essence, I’m not voting for Donald Trump. I’m voting for America.

— Lavern Eick is Marshall resident