Google Gemini was used to research this piece. This Essay was posted on 6/4/2026 and appeared in the Portland Sunday Telegram on 6/14/2026.
This November. we will be choosing between Democratic and Republican candidates along with Independent and third-party candidates. Most Democrats will be touting their experience and knowledge of governing in stark contrast to the Trump Administration. Republicans feature candidates who admonish politicians that favor programs like Medicare and Obamacare. Choices in this election shouldn’t rely on traditional differences between left and right because there are more important issues.
The voters must reject corruption in Washington. Should we allow a President to order a $620 Million loan to his son’s company, as Donald Trump reportedly did? Should a President buy $1 million in a company just before awarding the company a $9.7 million defense contract, as Donald Trump reportedly purchased $1 million worth of Dell stock? And this is just the tip of the corruption iceberg.
The voters must reject Trump’s autocratic efforts. Should we allow a President to fire entire departments without Congressional approval just because he doesn’t agree with the agency’s goals, as Trump has done with USAID? Should we allow a President to start a war without Congressional approval, as Trump has done by attacking Iran? Should a president ignore a Congressional order, as Trump has done by refusing to release key Epstein files?
As Trump goes untethered, the taxpayers pay for his excesses, his unlawful wars, and his illegal tariffs, how will the voters choose in November? Will they choose between right and left, between corruption and honesty, or between autocracy and democracy? The choice is important.
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