My sister-in-law has been a registered Republican her entire life. During last week’s Democratic Convention, she texted me that she was watching.

I asked her, “So, are you ready to vote Kamala?” She admitted she can’t vote for Trump but she’s waiting for a moderate candidate to step forward. So, I asked her, “What do you consider radical about Kamala’s agenda for our country? She basically wants to make life better for the average American. Her proposals include cutting taxes for the middle class, making childcare affordable, cutting the cost of prescription drugs and improving our public schools. She also wants to focus on climate change and make sure we remain a part of NATO to support our allies.” I then mentioned that my relatives in Sweden take all of these policies for granted and that Sweden is always rated as having some of the happiest citizens in the world.

I’m not sure if I can convince her to vote for a Democrat. She’s told me that her parents were Republicans – which my husband takes issue with – and she really liked Ronald Reagan. Well, I’m sorry, but  her idea of the Republican Party is not what it was. They have become Trump’s party of hate and despair. So, I hope she doesn’t decide to sit out this election. Change is hard but our country is counting on people like her to make the right decision.

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