Respect must be earned, Mr. Trump
Dear Mr. Trump,
When you ascended to the presidency you swore an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. Apparently, you are not aware that the Constitution contains a document called the Bill of Rights, and in the Bill of Rights we Americans are guaranteed the right to free speech, and to peaceably assemble and to protest. To peaceably protest is an American right and proud tradition, to speak truth to power. Predictably, you find it necessary to demean certain groups of people for exercising their rights.
The groups you choose to demean are not disrespecting their country, the Constitution, the flag, the police, the military or the national anthem. They are disrespecting you. Respect must be earned. Respect cannot be commanded by kings, parents or presidents. You, Mr. Trump, have done nothing since your ascendancy to earn our respect. Read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The people of the United States of America are not toys placed here for your amusement.
Bill Miller, Paso Robles
This story was originally published October 13, 2017 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Respect must be earned, Mr. Trump."