When I cast my vote for president of the United States, I will not be holding my nose. I will be voting proudly for Hillary Clinton, who has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for those with little access to power.
As First Lady, she was the voice for children without health insurance. As senator, she investigated the health issues faced by 9/11 first responders. As secretary of state, in every corner of the world, she called for basic human rights for women and members of the LGBT community.
I will be voting proudly for a woman who understands deep in her bones that democracy is messy and compromise unavoidable, but that idealistic goals are never out of reach if you keep them in your mind as you make difficult daily decisions.
When serving as both senator and secretary of state, Clinton was respected by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle and has a proven track record of being able to work effectively with those with differing points of view. She earned that respect.
I will be voting proudly for a woman who has been through the wars and is still standing. It is not Clinton’s thick skin, but Donald Trump’s very thin skin that frightens me. I don’t want my country to be led by an individual who is easily goaded into engaging in Twitter wars with foreign leaders.
I want a president who can be tough and firm when necessary, but who treats others with respect and whose decisions are based on a deep breadth of knowledge and carried out with skills developed during many years of public service.
Naomi Tropp
Northampton