Opinion: A new way forward for America: Why Kamala Harris is the right leader

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The US Presidential election on Nov 5th 2024, gives voters an opportunity to have a voice in their future. Americans are choosing between two vastly different visions for our country’s future. Fortunately, over the last 8 years, Americans had the opportunity to see for themselves what both the candidates stands for. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz stands for a forward-looking vision that call, New Way Forward—which is grounded in compassion, opportunity, and economic empowerment for working families. On the other side stands former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, representing a self-centered view of America that is based the politics of grievances, contempt for the rule of law, economic entitlement, and restricting opportunities to the privileged few. Yet, shockingly, the news outlets tell us polls are deadlocked. I refuse to believe this is the case. Let me tell you why.

The American Dream: Kamala’s Story of Compassion and Resilience

For Kamala Harris, this election is not just about policy differences; it’s personal. As the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, she brings a deep understanding of resilience, hard work, and the value of opportunity that has shaped her entire life. Her immigrant roots and personal experiences have given her a perspective few can match and a commitment to building what she calls an ‘Opportunity Economy’ where everyone has a fair shot at getting ahead.

Growing up, Kamala held odd jobs to help support herself through college, experiences that gave her firsthand knowledge of the challenges working families face. She’s no stranger to the sacrifices required to build a life and care for loved ones. She stood by her mother’s side through illness, managing the demands of family and career. Today, as a wife, mother, stepmother, and Vice President Kamala’s roles and responsibilities have strengthened her compassion for others and her understanding of the importance of family stability and opportunity for all.

Strengthening Small Businesses and Expanding Economic Opportunity

Harris’s Opportunity Economy plan centers on helping small businesses flourish and ensuring middle-class families can thrive. Her agenda reflects her own family’s story of hard work and ambition. By expanding the startup expense deduction from $5,000 to $50,000, Harris is making it possible for countless entrepreneurs to take the first steps toward business ownership without being hindered by overwhelming expenses. Recognizing the struggles that established small businesses face, she also proposes low- and no-interest loans to support business expansion and foster innovation. Her administration would offer venture capital and innovation hubs to encourage new ideas and entrepreneurship in communities that have been historically overlooked. By setting a goal of 25 million new business applications in her first term, Harris has a concrete plan to revitalize the economy and build pathways to prosperity in every corner of America.

A Fairer Tax System and Support for the Middle Class

As Vice President, Harris has worked tirelessly to bring down costs for everyday Americans. She understands that families—particularly those with backgrounds like her own—need relief to build stability and wealth. Her Opportunity Economy plan includes significant tax cuts for over 100 million Americans, a move designed to relieve financial pressures and expand the middle class. Her proposal to tax the wealthiest individuals and corporations fairly ensures that those who have benefitted the most from America’s economy contribute their fair share, balancing the scales to benefit everyone.

Affordable Housing, Groceries, and Healthcare for All

Growing up in a household where sacrifices were often made to make ends meet, Harris is acutely aware of the high costs that can weigh families down. She has pledged to tackle corporate price gouging, which will lower costs on essentials like groceries and medicine. With Harris’s leadership, the days of runaway prices for basic needs would be curbed, protecting the purchasing power of middle-class families. Harris’s affordable housing plan, adding three million new rental and affordable homes through a targeted builder tax credit, is another crucial step toward a fairer economy. She recognizes the importance of housing stability for building wealth and securing family futures, which is why her plan includes $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, allowing more people to experience the security and pride of homeownership.

Preserving Rights, Uniting the Nation

Economic opportunity and personal freedoms are inseparable. Harris has always been clear that defending Americans’ rights is paramount to her leadership. As a district attorney and attorney general, she fought relentlessly for the rights of women, children, and the vulnerable. Her work in the Senate and as Vice President expanded these efforts, as she championed reproductive freedoms, advocated for affordable healthcare, and engaged in diplomatic efforts to advance U.S. interests.

In contrast, Donald Trump’s Project 2025 represents a retreat into policies that harm working families and compromise democracy. Trump’s plan includes sweeping tarrifs—a policy that would take $4,000 out of American families’ pockets each year. His cuts to essential federal programs like Social Security and Medicare would endanger the very institutions that safeguard financial stability for millions of retirees and disabled Americans.

A Legacy of Compassionate Leadership and Family Values

Kamala Harris’s story is more than one of professional accomplishments. It’s a testament to the values of service, sacrifice, and compassion. Her life as a daughter who cared for her sick mother, a stepmother who embraced her role in a blended family, and a wife who values partnership has shaped her understanding of what families need to thrive. Her personal story is one of bridging cultures, overcoming challenges, and working tirelessly to give back to the country that gave her family a chance. In the Senate and as Vice President, Harris has fought to expand access to healthcare, ensure reproductive freedoms, and champion social justice.

The Closing Argument: Character Still Matters

I have made a case for Kamala Harris largely from an economic policy angle. But elections are more than a choice between policies—they reflect the core values we hold dear as citizens of this great nation. Elections are about the character and integrity of those who lead us. The New Way Forward promised by Kamala Harris shows us a better tomorrow rooted in compassion, fairness, and opportunity for all. In a time when we need unity, strength, and character more than ever, she is the leader we can trust to protect our freedoms, restore the American Dream, and reach across the aisle to unite our nation. I believe that next Tuesday, Americans will turn out in record numbers to vote for we know is true, that Kamala Harris represents the New Way Forward for Americans, and perhaps for the rest of the world.

Note: Suresh U. Kumar, PhD, is President-Elect, The Indus Entrepreneurs-NJ Chapter, and an author, professor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of India Americans for Harris. He also serves as co-chair of the Harris-Walz Small Business Council. 

(The views expressed here are entirely of the author and in no way reflect those of Parikh Worldwide Media/News India Times)