By Richard Rossi, Delaware County

I would like to share my concern as an American citizen to what is going on in our country since P r e s i d e n t T r u mp h a s b e e n elected. Let me be perfectly clear, I am speaking as an American Law-abiding citizen. This has nothing to do with anyone's political affiliation or my political preference.

We are ALL American's first, regardless of our political affiliation, and that should be paramount in our desire to insure America continues to be the greatest country in the world. Wishing for our President to fail - means America fails... Saying 'America was never great' is disgusting....

We may disagree on various stances based on our political affiliations, different viewpoints are good - only if 'common-sense' prevails and we discuss the issues, without inflammatory rhetoric, and logically. Today, this is sorely missing from the agenda. It is NOT what is best for America.

We have many challenges facing our country today. The answers are complex; however, they need to be addressed. We must be a country of Laws. Our immigration policy need updating; Our border security is lax. Our Rights and Freedoms are being infringed; Our healthcare system is inadequate; Our military needs to be strengthened; Our national debt is out of control; Our government, at all levels, is too big and out of control. Our Supreme Court is making laws instead of enforcing them based on our Constitution. We have Governors and Mayors believing they can over-ride Federal Laws because they don't like them. etc...

Our Constitution/Bill of Rights must be followed. It is NOT the right of any elected official or branch of Government to decide which laws are just and which ones should be ignored. Our Founding Father clearly outlined a procedure to address changes when required. Our Constitution is not broken - it is ignored by elected officials who took an oath to protect and enforce it.

We have a God given right to self-preservation. Firearms are not 'either good or bad' - it is the individual who makes that choice. They are responsible for their decisions and actions. We need representatives who truly believe in this fact.

We have a right to know who is living in our country and to insure they came here legally. Our Governor believes he has the RIGHT to "play God". He believes that he is above the law.

Our Government is not there to provide for all your needs and wants, from birth to death. Individuals need to take personal responsibility and ownership for their actions and be responsible citizens. This will mean sacrifices and standing on one’s own two feet.

Nothing in life is 'FREE'. Nothing the Government can provide is FREE - someone must foot the bill. I keep hearing that the American People want FREE College, FREE Healthcare etc. We are a Democratic Republic not a Socialist Democracy. Are you willing to give at least80% of your income to the government so you can have all these 'so-called' FREE benefits? I for one, am not ready for my life to go from "Citizen to Slave". America was built on hard work and a day’s pay for a day’s work.

When Aliens have more rights and freedoms than Law-abiding Citizen, something is very wrong in New York State. When corruption is the norm, something is very wrong in New York State. When hard working Law-abiding citizens can't make a living because taxes are sky rocketing to pay for entitlements for 'leaches', something is wrong in New York State.