To The Editor: 

What has happened to respect in the United States of America? Where is the respect for our forefathers who founded this wonderful country? Where is the respect for our veterans who fought, and many who did not return home to their own families, so each and every one of us could have families and sleep under a blanket of freedom? Where is the respect for our police who are enforcing laws to protect our cities and keep us safe? Where is the respect for our governing bodies and the president of the United States of America?  

If you are an individual or an NFL sports figure whom children idolize who will not stand for the American flag, you would rather burn it, if you are an individual who wants to demolish historical statues and erase history, if you are an individual who says freedom of speech includes violent riots, damaging personal or public property or causing injury to another human being, I say go visit a veterans home or attend a veteran’s funeral service. If you are not humbled by their stories of survival or chills do not go through your spine viewing two Marines precisely folding the American flag passing it into the hands of the surviving family member as taps are played in the background, your actions are extremely selfish and you take your freedom for granted. Read a history book and realize what our forefathers sacrificed, what they overcame, and know what the 13 stripes and 50 stars truly stand for.  

I disagree with labels of liberals, conservatives, Republican or Democrat. It appears society has accepted them and included many delicate, special social groups. America spends too much time pointing the finger and blaming one another instead of working together to solve important issues. When did it become acceptable to destroy others property or cause harm to another simply because one does not agree with their opinion? Guess what . . . we all have policies, people or opinions we do not agree with. Respect that individual for their belief and move on. Think about when you were a toddler and you were taught to treat others as you would like to be treated. Are we not all American citizens who still believe in this country?

When did it become acceptable for certain groups to allow freedom of speech to their group, but riot and cancel speakers of the opposing view?  

When did it become acceptable for generations to use government assistance as a means to an end?  What happened to creating a living by contributing to society by earning a paycheck instead of “working” the United States welfare system to get a paycheck?  How can we explain the thousands of illegal immigrants who get government assistance before a natural-born American citizen? When Ellis Island officially opened as an immigration station on Jan. 1, 1892, those individuals were looking for opportunities to better their family life. They were not looking for government handouts. What are the criteria for receiving monthly government assistance? I have physically observed families receiving government assistance, sit daily with their iPhone, ear buds, designer label clothes sipping a Starbucks coffee.  These same individuals live in government housing, air conditioners running, and a lawn-care company attending to their yard. All this continues because society has made this life acceptable.  

When Obama was elected president, many Americans were disappointed. However, I do not recall violent protests, a celebrity holding an image of the president’s bloody head, nor did a politician post on the internet wishing he was assassinated.   Universities did not cancel classes because learning adults could not handle the election outcome. How would the world have looked if our generals and leaders had required a “timeout” after the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor? There seems to be such a drastic difference of the behavior between liberals and conservatives. I am not saying all individuals in these categories act a certain way, but it is obvious one group cannot accept reality, pull up their big boy or girl pants, protest in a peaceful manner, move on and wait another four years to vote.  

I do not claim to be a historian. I cannot recall dates on wars or the generals who fought them. For that I feel ashamed and wish I would have paid attention to Mr. Herholz in high school history at Washington High School. However, as a citizen of the United States of America, I know enough and have the respect when Old Glory is flown you stand and salute. I respect and obey our police force as they are only enforcing laws to protect the citizens. I may not like or agree with the president of the United States of America, but they were voted in by the people, for the people and I must respect that. 

Bobbie Baravik, Warrenton