We’re cheering for different candidates but we’re also friends, unusual in today’s political climate.

Six friends. All professionals, each uber-active in the affairs of our community. Mutual respect runs high. We are well-read, even across the political spectrum. Yet we are at opposite ends in this election cycle when voting for President. We are a microcosm of why this election is so close.

Trump cannot win without the votes of non-MAGA Republicans and Independents. Three are in our group, along with three Democrats. The Independent is a former GOP member who left the party over Trump. This man is a former marine, newsman, and recognized business leader who feels strongly (and correctly) that leadership starts with character, and Trump lacks positive character attributes.

Among the Democrats, one is a former independent so outraged by the GOP supporting Trump two election cycles before that she became a Democrat. That’s me. Admittedly, I have always leaned democratic (while voting across the aisles). But as an economist, I reject the GOP’s stance on trickle-down tax cuts. It’s proven only to work if tax rates are so high there is inadequate investment capital, not today’s situation. Our massive deficit is first and foremost a problem of the tax system.

We have learned a lot from each other over the last 4 years.  This e-mail group is a connection I value.

So why do we differ on Trump versus Harris?

• Some think character matters more than policy. For others, policy outweighs character as a reason to vote for one candidate over another. One is on the fence about voting for Trump as Trump’s character is so unpresidential (not to say vile, I’d argue).
• Four are very worried about Trump today – that he will become a fascist given his authoritarian promises – while others think Trump 2.0 will be Trump 1.0.
• Two remain angry over the US Justice Department (in their view) crucifying Trump over Russian interference, making his first administration and re-election harder than it should have been. They think Federal cases since he left office are politically motivated.
• I feel strongly about reproductive rights, as do the two other Democrats. A GOP member is pro-life.
• None of us are voting to have the first female President. The issues are too important to worry about that national milestone for now.
• One makes his money by representing Republican interests. I’ve wondered at times what will happen in the voting booth to those publicly supporting Trump.
• We all wish for better rural community policies.
• We want lower deficits, but how we propose reducing them differs.
• Some think Vance will be fine stepping in for Trump when he ages out during his term. The Democrats are more worried about Vance than Trump.
• We have different views on what is wrong with healthcare and how to fix it.
• We know the immigration system needs to be fixed. We recognize that immigrants are vital to growing our economy.
• We love our nation dearly and have served the public in our work.
• The Democrats and independent members of our group grapple with the high percentage of people that will vote for Trump. The other side does not seem emotionally upset that we’ll vote for Harris. Why is it so upsetting for us but not them, I wonder?

What will happen after the election?

If power splits come 2025, as it’s likely to do, and we muddle along as a nation with nothing going off the rails, this group of learners will stay together. We’ll have mutual respect, as we have tried to do throughout this election cycle. And it’s the right thing to do. Because if we lose communication and respect for the other side, we lose too much.

We all agree that Harris is right on this one thing: we have more in common than what separates us.

Happy voting.