It has become abundantly clear that our president does not wish to make America great again, as he proclaims.  Many citizens are feeling personally threatened and afraid of his behavior.   He divides us when he should unite us.  He bullies entire communities at home and many of our friends and allies around the globe if they dare to disagree with him.  We desperately need a tolerant and compassionate leader.  Instead, our president is intemperate and vindictive.  He behaves as if he hates America.  He hates an America that beckons to the tired and the poor, to all those huddled masses coming to our shores yearning to breathe free.  He hates an America that harbors malice toward none and charity for all, that believes all those who deny freedom to others are undeserving of it themselves.  He hates an America that dares to have a dream that its citizens be judged solely on the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.  And he hates an America that believes all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights by their Creator.  

Our president cannot make America great again because America never stopped being a great nation.  It never stopped being a living, breathing, enduring experiment in democracy.  While always imperfect and flawed, our country endeavored to address and remedy its flaws to create a more perfect union.  It never stopped being great because its citizens continued to pledge to one another their lives, fortune and sacred Honor.  

At a time when our treasured national institutions, the vaunted guardrails meant to ensure the survival of our democracy, are being profoundly tested, let us assert that once again we live in times that try our souls.  And let us resolve to remain engaged as citizens of our great nation to ensure that our government will function as it was intended, of the people, by the people, and for the people.  

Neal Aponte, Ph.D.

Editor of Delano