Normally I try to get home for lunch. I eat healthier when I am home and I go outside for a walk with the dog. The other day I was stuck in town for lunch. I went to a place I know serves reasonably sized portion. I made the mistake of sitting at the lunch counter. Like at a bar, when you sit at the counter you are open to engagement and conversation with others. The engagement I got was just too much. I came for a sandwich. Not a lecture on how other people having rights some how steps on your. Not a discussion on your 1/2 baked conspiracy theories.

When people talk about constitutional rights like freedom of speech or religion, they often refer to them as guarantees. But no rights are absolute. Government has the power to limit individuals’ freedom under certain circumstances, like when they’ve committed a crime. You can have the constitutional right to carry a gun, BUT, should you have the right to carry that gun into a school? Does anybody think carrying a gun into a bar where you plan on drinking is a good idea?

The other person sitting at the lunch counter was all upset about gay marriage. I just fail to understand how by letting a couple who love each other get married is an infringement on your rights. When a gay couple is married, does that somehow make your marriage any less important or any less based on love and commitment? Does it stand in the way of you going to the church of your choice? Does it get in the way of a church sayings, “we will not allow gay marriage in this religion?”

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states: No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Rights are not Pie. When one group of people is given equal protection and rights, it does not mean another group has less.

When a member of the MAGA right describes a liberal they use the terms like “weak” “snowflake” “libtard”. Yet it seems like it is the MAGA rights who are most upset at things. It is the MAGA right that has weakened our government, our armed forces and our police. Any organization is only as strong as its weakest link. In the military they must train to be a well operating machine. But recently due to MAGA pressure a member of the military can decline a vaccine. Let’s get past COVID as some people still have a problem with science. If the next pandemic (and there will be one) is worse BUT there is a vaccine the military MUST be able to require everyone to take it. Not requiring it makes or military weak. The support for the military only goes as far as when they are fighting their battles. Eleven Republicans voted in August against a bill that funds research and benefits for as much as 3.5 million veterans who were impacted by toxic substances while they served.

The MAGA republicans want you to believe they support law enforcement but they are the group which beat up law enforcement officers at the capital. Despite the House and Senate coming to an agreement that will award the Congressional Gold Medal to the officers who defended the Capitol, 21 House Republicans voted against the legislation. These are the officers who put their bodies on the line to save the members of congress from harm.

In order for our country to grow and prosper we need to work together. As a long time business owner I am used to my decisions being respectfully challenged. I know that different opinions makes my business stronger. We need to show respect for one another. AND SOME OF YOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT NO ONE IS TREADING ON YOU.