Earn respect

This country should be ashamed. Violence, threats and burning the flag because things don't go your way are not OK.

So you think our president-elect has bad character and is intolerant? Why express hate and intolerance toward him and his supporters? Practice what you preach. You want respect? Earn it. You want to be heard? Speak softly and show courtesy to others.

Government funding? Do your part to work for and contribute to it. Lashing out fixes nothing. No one is going to help you if you treat them with disrespect. It is not the president’s job to instill tolerance, morals and values in people. Even if he tried, people would not follow his lead because they're too busy fighting his power.

Appreciate what you have and the people who fought for you to have it. If you want change, start with yourself. Until that day comes, America will never be great again, regardless of who leads it.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Earn respect."