Earlier this month in McKean County an event was held that was well publicized and should give food for thought to all of those undecided voters who will make their choices on Nov. 5.

It was the well attended event organized by the People for Harris group, which had as its keynote speaker retired Judge John Cleland. He focused on the importance of character when voters choose the leader of their nation. Nothing should be more important to all of us at this point when there is very strong evidence that our democracy — our way of life for 250 years — is on the line.

We showed the world that people could grow and prosper under representative government chosen by them and enjoy the “pursuit of happiness.” But now, in our country, it has been very well documented that one group of people will try to use this election to push us into a fascist dictatorship. Remember, you don’t just try fascism for a while and then discard it easily.

Take a walk through Bradford’s Veterans Square and read those names on the monuments. Those young people had character — they didn’t get called to lead us, but they showed it when they answered the call to protect democracy and died doing it.

Please note the large monument which lists those killed in action during World War II. They were part of 16 million young Americans who served during those four years that it took to do away with fascism and allow us to keep our way of life — our democracy!

Bill Moore, Bradford