Recently, I was in a friend’s office concerning a matter unrelated to politics, but we ended up discussing the upcoming presidential election. His first comment was in a forceful tone: "We've left God out! We've got to get back with being a Godly society!" With that as a starter, let me identify our two basic problems as I see it:

1. WE'RE TURNING AWAY FROM GOD.

In 2016 when the Democrats were discussing the coming election, they voted on a Motion to remove all mention of God in their platform. If the far left element had their way, they would remove "In God We Trust" from our money and One Nation under God" from our pledge of allegiance. They would remove any display of the Ten Commandments in the public square, and eliminate the celebration of Christmas and the public display of the manger scene as well as any reference to Jesus Christ. Although the motion failed, it's hard for most of us to believe that it was even discussed.

The once proud Democratic party of the people has been taken over by the far-left liberal progressives and are striking at the very fabric of our nation's founding and the essence of what made us the exceptional nation that we are. They are not teaching the history of our founding --- especially the religious freedom part that drew the pilgrims and early settlers to America in the first place. The importance of God and the Bible was made clear at our very beginning by President George Washington when he said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." This affirmation has been confirmed by our leaders throughout the years. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life ... Thus the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue."

President Ronald Reagan added, "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under." President Donald Trump has given us these words of encouragement: "As one nation under God, we are greater than the hardships we face, and through prayer and acts of compassion and love, we will rise to this challenge and emerge stronger and more united than ever before." You will never hear Joe Biden or Kamala Harris say that!

2. WE'RE TURNING FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM

Several years ago I remember observing that we were drifting toward the slippery slope of socialism. Today the truth is we're now approaching the precipice - the point of no return. It's like we're about to go over Niagara Falls to a fate of no return. In my opinion, if the Democrats win in November, especially if they win all three branches (President, House and Senate), it'll be too late! In only a matter of a few years (or maybe even months) you will not be able to recognize our beloved country as we once knew it.

Their number one goal is to change and transform, and yes, even destroy America as it now is. Their goal is socialism, which leads to communism, which leads to anarchy and dictatorship. Socialism has never worked. It's always failed! Just look at the former Soviet Union, Nazi Germany (The National Socialist German Workers Party), and now Venezuela. Only some twenty-five years ago, Venezuela was one of the most prosperous countries in the world - but now since they embraced socialism, they are in total chaos. The illegitimate regime of Nicholas Maduro has thrust 96 percent of Venezuela into poverty.

A recent study found that in 2019, the average income in Venezuela was 72 U.S. cents per day. Based purely on income, the report says 96 percent of Venezuela live in poverty, and an astounding 70 percent live in extreme poverty. Folks, we can't let that happen in America, but that's where we're headed -- but only if we do nothing about it

THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT DIRECTION

The Biden/Harris ticket: Joe Biden has been in politics for over 47 years and his record of accomplishments is limited at best. The Obama/Biden administration left us with 13 million more people on food stamps and 9 million more in poverty. Kamala Harris is the most extreme progressive liberal in Congress (even left of Bernie Sanders!) Their empty promises will result in more of the same!

The Trump/Pence ticket: Businessman Donald Trump achieved more in less than four years than what the Washington establishment has ever been able to achieve. He reversed the Obama/Biden fiasco and created the most affluent prosperity in the history of the world: record-breaking job numbers as well as record-breaking low unemployment.

He is a champion of pro-life, leveling the playing field on trade, securing our borders, reducing crime, fighting human trafficking, improving health care while driving down costs, destroying ISIS, supporting Israel and standing up to Iran - the world’s #1 Terrorist Nation, rebuilding our military and making America safer, protecting our veterans, protecting our environment without hurting jobs, making us energy independent (oil, natural gas, etc.) for the first time ever. Joe Biden and his far-left progressive Green New Deal will destroy all of Trump's accomplishments and leave us in the likes of poverty-stricken Venezuela.

Our choice in November has never been clearer: "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it!" It boils down to a matter of DIRECTION - either moving forward or backward.

We may have questions about Trump's displeasing personality and faulty character. We may not like his objectionable tweets and braggadocios claims, but as an unaffiliated voter who is seeking the best for our country, I'm trying to look beyond the flaws of each candidate and look at the direction in which each will take us. One leads to the socialism of Karl Marx and certain poverty; the other leads to the freedom of our founding fathers and the prosperity of a great nation.

THE BOTTOM LINE CONCLUSION: We are bound to end up with one or the other. I'd rather take my chances with the prosperity and affluence of Trump rather than the poverty and chaos of Biden.

Don't be one of those who has a strong opinion but fails to vote. I've already voted for Trump. I hope you will too!

Dan E. Perry
Kinston, NC