Donald Trump used the slogan, "Make America great again"  throughout his campaign for the presidency. Well, I have news for him, America has been great since it declared and fought for its independence. Of course, a draft dodger wouldn’t know about that. 

Since 1776, 240 years, America has been great both in good times and bad. America has been great during war times. America was great in overcoming the Great Depression and all its recessions. Why? Because Americans care for their country and its citizens, including other humans who are less fortunate than us. Americans respect one another regardless of gender, race or religion. That’s more than one can say about Trump. 

We honor those unfortunate to have been POWs. We don’t lock up anyone unless proven guilty by a jury of their peers. That’s in the Constitution. And only a crooked person would call a person crooked without proof. Only a liar would call someone a liar without proof. 

Trump brags about not paying taxes and says that’s smart. It’s certainly not presidential. 

Based on the minority-elected president’s promises made during the campaign, one thing is certain; when he leaves office, the next president will have to work extremely hard to “Make America great again.”

Lawrence A. Helfrich

Ledyard