We can start by respecting each other

Regarding the comments of Doug Whitlock of Elk Grove Village on Feb 7: He wrote in his closing paragraph, "I get the unmistakable feeling from this administration that they are moving us in a new direction where once again, it's OK to be patriotic and take pride in our country, it's OK to be successful and independent, it's OK to be straight and believe in traditional marriage, it's OK to own a gun and protect your family, it's OK to love cops, soldiers, veterans and the rule of law, it's OK to be a Christian and believe in God, and finally, it's OK to love America."

Pardon me, Doug. I never thought any of these things were not OK. None of this was removed from our Constitution. No matter what you think the past administrations did or did not do, we were never told to stop believing in our values.

It's also OK to love your neighbor, even if you don't agree sometimes and vote differently. That is one of the great things in America. We can make our voices heard, we can contact our representatives, we get to vote.

Not everyone is going to be pleased all of the time. Unity doesn't mean we have to agree in all things. It means we will stick together and help each other when it matters. We'll get farther by being kind, thoughtful and truthful to ourselves and each other, even if we don't always see that example from our leaders.

We can start with not bashing others for their beliefs. Stop being Us and Them, and instead be We The People.

Judy Hernke

Mundelein