To the Editor,

America is blessed to be free — because of our Constitution, police and military. The number one job of the government is to provide for the safety of its citizens, then to ensure our freedoms. The wide-open border demonstrates zero concern for our safety or sovereignty. Before you go to bed do you lock your door?

What if we were a weak nation unable to defend itself? Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Pakistan regularly shout “Death to America!” Do they seem like nice neighbors to you?

Free speech is our indispensable bedrock value. It’s very challenging to allow speech that we don’t want to hear. If we don’t honor free speech the unheard voices will go underground and could erupt violently. Better to have it in the open so we know what we’re dealing with.

It is our responsibility to participate in our own government. Email or call your local and state representatives. If you don’t vote, don’t blame anyone else for your apathy.

We now witness the erosion of the glorious American experiment caused by leftist individuals who are trying to create a society that is not free. Socialism conditions us to a loss of freedom, then Communism moves in. Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-il killed 100 million people during the 1900s. You who are used to being respected as an individual would not like to be under their thumb.

Let us be brave and support people and organizations that honor our country. Speak our values openly and courageously to friends, family and community. Being politically correct is a dangerous and irresponsible abdication of our responsibility to speak up as informed free citizens.

Bryan Hermansdorfer

Danbury