WINSTON-SALEM – Christie Parsons was hard to miss at the Tim Walz rally held at Carver High School in Winston-Salem on Thursday. Parsons was wearing a tee-shirt that read “They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets!” It was a reference to the quickly debunked claim by former United States President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating pets. It was just one of many reasons Parsons said she is supporting the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Photo by Carla Peay/The Atlanta Voice“I’m just tired of all the misinformation coming from Trump and Vance,” Parsons said. “Kamala Harris could be a frog, and I would still vote for her over Donald Trump.”The comment brought a chuckle, and agreement, from her mother, Donna Parsons. The two travelled from nearby Yadkin County to hear the man they hope will be the next Vice President of the United States.“They are the opposite of everything Donald Trump is,” said Donna Parsons. “They believe in women’s rights. I also like Harris’ tax plans to help the middle class. Mostly, I like the decency of them as human beings, the way they treat people. It’s about time we clear out the clown car.”Donna (left) and Christie Parsons attended the rally in Winston-Salem on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. Photo by Carla Peay/The Atlanta VoiceSeveral local politicians were on hand to introduce Walz, including Winston Salem Mayor Allen Joins, State Representative Amber Baker, and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough.“I have served under four presidents, some good, some not so good,” Joines began. “And as bad as Donald Trump was the first time, he would be even worse a second time. His extreme Project 2025 would raise costs for working families. The Harris/Walz ticket is the right ticket for America.”“The choice we have is simple,” Joines continued. “Do we want a new way forward, or do we want to let Donald Trump drag us into the past?”Baker, a former elementary school principal, described herself as an educator who moonlights as a politician.“I have dedicated my life to public service,” Baker said. “We need leadership that protects our values and our freedoms. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for a new way forward that strengthens public education, protects women’s freedoms, and provides a pathway out of poverty to the middle class.”Kimbrough, a former special agent with the DEA for more than 20 years, praised Harris and Walz as the leaders this country needs.“Everything rises and falls on the basis of good leadership,” Kimbrough said. “Kamala Harris fought the drug cartels. She has the integrity to make the right decisions.”  Walz, running behind schedule after an earlier stop in Durham where he appeared with former president Bill Clinton, had a special celebrity guest warm up the audience – Grammy and Academy Award-winning rapper and actor Common. Common took the stage and excited a crowd with a politically themed rap and some tunes. He then encouraged the crowd to get out and vote.“I know our future will be brighter when our Vice President becomes our President,” Common said. “She is the light.”When Walz finally made his entry, the music started up, and the crowd responded with a standing ovation. He opened his remarks with criticisms of the Trump/Vance ticket. Vance was recently quoted as saying he found problems with the 2020 election, cementing him as an election denier. During the VP debate, Vance refused to answer the question – did Trump win the 2020 election – when Walz asked it. He then pivoted to the economy and Harris’ plans to provide opportunities for the middle class.“The economy works best when it’s fair for everyone,” Walz said. “Under her plan, 100 million people will get a tax cut.” Walz said President Harris will take on price gougers and has a plan to expand Medicare to include senior care. He also repeated her plans for providing a $50 thousand dollar tax credit to start a business, and a $25 thousand dollar down payment assistance to buy a home.“Donald Trump was a New York real estate magnet,” Walz said. “He thinks of homes as commodities. Middle class people think of a home as a place to raise our children and celebrate holidays together.”He reiterated Trump’s plans to gut the Affordable Care Act and cut Social Security.“What does a millionaire care about a Social Security check?” Walz asked, as he told the story of his mother, who lives on Social Security survivor benefits. “Trump is talking about imposing tariffs, but that’s just a sales tax, which impacts the middle class, not Trump’s rich friends.”Walz addressed the issue of Trump’s proposed changes to the ACA, which would allow insurance companies to pick and choose who they wanted to cover. He then addressed the issue of choice.“When did the party of Ronald Regan decide that it was OK for the government to make our personal choices?” he asked. “The choices I make might not be the choices someone else would make, but that’s what freedom is. Freedom means sending our children to school and not worry they will be shot dead in their classrooms.”He closed with a reminder to the crowd that in the next 19 days, we have a choice that will decide our children’s future for the next generation.“We have 19 days to restore dignity, integrity and vision,” Walz said. “We have 19 days to change the world.”Thursday October 17 was the first day of early voting in North Carolina. Donna Parsons has already voted by mail. Christie Parsons plans to vote on Friday. The post “Coach” Tim Walz was right at home in a NC high school as early voting begins in the Tar Heel State appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.