Editor,

There’s nothing democratic about “done deal” political conventions that exclude more than one candidate from serious consideration. I’m hoping that President Biden’s anointing of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats’ presumed nominee will not deprive us of other choices.

Potential candidates that question the Biden administration’s policies should not be ruled out, and we should not be saddled with the continuation of a previous administration’s policies that need to be changed. Biden’s policy on Israel’s war on the Palestinians of Gaza, which Harris has supported, is a case in point.

Some 30,000 people, mostly women and children have been killed. Hundreds of thousands more have been injured, displaced, denied humanitarian aid and now face conditions of famine. Biden and Harris have uttered hollow concerns about the horrific number of civilian casualties, but both refused to support international calls for a ceasefire and the halting weapons shipments. Their support for the Israel actions with a military aid package of $26.4 million on top of $3 billion given annually, has contributed to what the United Nations and international aid groups describes as a major humanitarian crisis.

Biden and Harris are lending credibility to Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu who is unpopular in his own country and stands accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity. It is hypocritical of Democrats to criticize Trump for cozying up to extremist rightwing leaders and dictators while ignoring the Biden Administration’s embracement of Netanyahu.

The Republican “Party of Trump” may be rightfully accused of sanctioning, even welcoming political violence here at home. But the Democratic Party that decries domestic political violence continues to enable and support it elsewhere. None of this bodes well for the prospect peace and avoiding the costly and never-ending wars that spread and divert money from underfunded national and domestic programs.

Too many voters of both parties see gender, race, ethnicity and ability to perform on stage as qualifications for high office. History tells us they are not. Like big smiles and mean looks, they may help with ‘electability’ in today’s politics—but they have nothing to do with the compassion, integrity and independent critical thinking. Those are the attributes most needed in our leaders.

Rick Abraham

Greenbank