By Butch Hollowell, Contributor
As someone who’s spent decades in the trenches advocating for equal justice and for a better quality of life for our Brothers and Sisters who face obstacles every day — including during my tenure as NAACP General Counsel and Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit — I understand that the stakes for the November 5th Presidential election have never been higher. The choice is clear: we must move our state and our country forward with an overwhelming vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. A vote for Trump – or any of the spoiler third-party candidates would mean a giant step backwards.
Whenever there’s a “big” position to be had, we all know they question our qualifications. Harris is probably the most qualified candidate ever to run for President: Attorney General of California, United States Senator, Vice President of the United States. Throughout her distinguished career, Harris, an HBCU graduate (Howard University), has always stood solidly with us. Raised by a single parent Mom, as President she will continue to fight for a strong and inclusive vision for America, rooted in her values learned from struggle. Our struggle.
Harris’ fight is an existential fight for fundamental rights and freedoms. Freedom for women to choose what’s best for their own bodies. Freedom to vote without suppression. Freedom to be treated as an equal citizen. Freedom from a tax structure that favors the rich. Freedom to enshrine and expand a health care system that doesn’t force us to choose between treatment and bankruptcy.
Harris grew up the hard way. Her priorities for the presidency reflect that. This includes a historic $6,000 Child Care Tax Credit. $25,000 to assist first-time home buyers. The construction of 3 million new affordable rental units and homes. And incentives to grow small businesses and startups.
Trump, and his extremist MAGA allies represent the polar opposite. His “Project 2025” agenda will take us back to a darker, meaner, judgmental, view of our ever-changing world. He will turn the U.S. military loose on civilians. Enact a national ban on abortion, IVF, and birth control. He will repeal the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to 1.4 million Michiganders. He will restrict voting rights for African Americans, slash worker protections, and end environmental justice programs. He will politicize the Justice Department and confirm hundreds of new right-wing judges who’ll spend the rest of their lives protecting his dictatorship in the courts. His former Chief of Staff General Kelley said he is a fascist.
He doesn’t get us. In fact, he’s out to get us!
During a recent speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump said if Harris wins, the whole country would be a “mess” like the City of Detroit. A mess? America should be so lucky. The New York Times and other national publications have recently written what we already know: Detroit is back! Property values are up, taxes are lower, employment is up, crime is down to the lowest levels in 60 years, thousands of abandoned houses demolished, 65,000 new streetlights, new parks, and we just crushed it as host to the NFL Draft. The best way to respond to Trump’s insult is not just to say “How could he disrespect us like that?” The best response is to vote for Harris in record numbers.
Also, let’s keep our eyes on the prize and not be bamboozled by these spoiler third-party candidates. In 2016, a razor-thin margin of just 10,000 Michiganders helped hand Donald Trump the presidency. Perennial third-party candidate Jill Stein got 50,000 votes, meaning she likely cost Hillary Clinton a win. Stein’s back on the Michigan ballot again this year, along with Cornel West and Robert Kennedy Jr whose father would be so ashamed of him. All of them motivated by selfishly seeking the limelight and stealing votes from Harris.
Stein’s campaign is fueled by the Russians and by Donald Trump, who said, “Jill Stein, I like her very much … You know why? She takes 100% from [Democrats].” Cornel West, sadly, is backed by Republican dark money and by the right-wing lawyers. Kennedy has endorsed Trump and openly campaigns with him. A vote for any of these spoilers is worse than a waste: it pushes Trump closer to victory.
In this tight contest, Harris is the only candidate who can win against Trump. I’m taking my soul to the polls to vote for her strong, hopeful, and inclusive vision for America. I hope you will too.
Melvin Butch Hollowell serves as Managing Partner of The Miller Law Firm Detroit where he oversees the firm’s practice at its downtown Detroit location. He specializes in complex commercial litigation, class actions, government regulation, sensitive investigations, and election law.
About Post Author
