To the editor,

Donna O’Keefe’s letter “Facts, Not Promises” in the Journal (Sept. 11, 2024) merits a fair and measured response. First of all, honorable people do disagree on these serious issues. The strength of our nation is significantly based on an informed public and a strong two-party system. I would like to share a different perspective on the issues than the one presented in her letter.
Initially O’Keefe asserts “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz reveal few praiseworthy beliefs and values.” I would challenge that a presidential candidate who brags of groping women, has been found guilty in a court of law of sexual abuse of a woman, presents unfounded claims on live national television of immigrants eating cats and dogs, has been legally charged with numerous felonies, disparaged the military, and is generally known to lie indiscriminately exhibits few qualities of national leader. For me, to see Mr. Trump as a beacon of positive values is a bridge too far to cross. Character matters.
O’Keefe stresses in her letter the need for empirical data (provable facts). I definitely agree. However, to make the following assertions without any supporting evidence is wrong. She claims the following: there is unlimited disposal of unborn humans (yes, unlimited), millions of immigrants unvetted and unidentified are entering the US (yes, millions), a weaponized legal system, mandatory price controls, criminals released with no intention of staying straight, medical treatment made not according to authentic data and research, a government controlled educational system, and several other questionable claims. Again, I find no evidence or empirical data supporting any of these assertions in her letter.
I do agree whole heartedly with a statement she makes in her concluding paragraph, “the sacrifices and wisdom of past generations will mean nothing if ignorance wins the election.” However, I would assert it’s up to us, the voters, to determine where the ignorance really lies.

Bill Halverson
River Falls