By Peter Gately

Guest Column

The 2024 election is rapidly approaching, 13 weeks as I write this. While I have voted in every presidential election since 1972, I cannot recall another that has so captured my attention.

The 1972 one is memorable for me on many levels. This came at a similarly tumultuous time in our country’s history. The Vietnam war was in full swing, Hawks vs the Doves, cultural and social transformations were happening, generational differences coming to head. It was not uncommon to see families divided in unforeseen ways on many of the issues. It also was the first presidential election that 18-year-olds were allowed the vote, the 26th Amendment was in full effect. At that time, I felt there was a chance to influence our country’s direction by becoming involved in the political process. Being active in my high school’s student government, I helped organize a voter registration process in our school. I was given a chance to speak at that assembly and was convinced I could be an agent of change for those in the audience.

I now feel this election is the most important one in my lifetime. I feel the same urgency to become involved in some way as before. My personal history, no doubt, contributes to the strong feelings I have about 2024, but even more influential, are the issues facing us as we look toward November.

Never before have we been presented with a candidate who has held the highest office, who then was legitimately voted out due to his ineptitude and inability to grasp and/or adhere to the fundamental principles of that office. He is a master manipulator who regularly rejects and shapes the facts to his liking. He too frequently does not display the psychological makeup to face the negative results of his actions without trying to turn things around and paint others as the ones in the wrong. His recent interview with the National Association of Black Journalists is classic. That typical reaction is not suited to a person who is willing to build consensus, bring people together and avoid more rancor in the future. He is not a leader. He has given me no confidence in his ability to effectively handle international crises.

I have heard some say that if given another chance, he will learn from his previous term and be a more effective leader. Needless to say, I don’t hear our own Susan Collins going back down that road. I think it is she that has learned her lesson about Trump. Others have said that there are those around him that will be able to reshape him in a more positive light. All anyone has to do is be aware of the Heritage Foundation, Plan 2025 and Agenda 47 to see that the Republican plan for a Trump “re-do” is an even more extreme version of what we saw previously. Seeing his reactions to being connected to these efforts is just another instance of him hoping most of the electorate will look beyond the obvious and see him in a positive light.

I hope reading this will give you the same sense of urgency that I feel. Please take the time to learn as much about the candidates as possible; their agendas, their character, and their understanding of how our democracy functions and should function. Not taking advantage of the opportunity to vote at this time in our country’s history will have a profound impact on what lies ahead for those that follow us. Make your voice heard. I will be sure to do the same.

Peter Gately is a resident of Bridgton.