We must love one another

To the Editor:

"We must love one another or die."

These words from the poem, "September 1, 1939," were a call to people to respond with open eyes and hearts to a world-changing event.

On the eve of another very significant event, our 2024 election, one of our presidential candidates is sounding a very different call. Claiming that immigrants and Democrats are "destroying our country," his message is that we must be fearful, angry and mistrustful or lose everything.

In truth, immigrants fill critical jobs that without their labor would go unfilled. Both Republican and Democrat Wisconsin dairy owners agree that without immigrant workers, our state’s dairy industry could not survive. They also know that immigrants commit violent crime at a rate lower than native born Americans.

Economists from both parties report that in truth, data shows that our current administration presides over the strongest economy in the world.

Law enforcement officials know that violent crime, dropping since 2023, in some cities declined as much as 25% in just the first six months of 2024.

This does not mean that all Americans feel the benefits of a strong economy or feel entirely safe in their communities. But it does mean that millions of voters are being seriously drawn into fear and anger through misinformation.

Before we vote in this crucial 2024 election, perhaps we should look within ourselves. Are we leaning toward fear, anger and mistrust or love, optimism and hope?  In the end, the strength and endurance of our democracy depends on the capacity and willingness to open our hearts to our neighbors all across our country.

Jean Fisher