Words mean something. Especially in a country where free speech is a protected liberty. If your words can make others resort to violence, you have crossed a line that makes you unworthy of the honor of expressing that liberty. 

Losing an election should make you aware that your ideas are not what America wants. Killing your opponents is not the American way. Importing millions of new voters who will support your ideas is not the American way. Vilifying your opponents rather than challenging their ideas is not the American way. Killing the President whom you did not vote for is not the American way. Using race to divide the electorate is not the American way. Using sex to divide the electorate is not the American way. Seeking power at any cost is not the American way. Not valuing the sanctity of an informed legal vote is not the American way. Putting illegal aliens in fancy hotel rooms while homeless veterans and other Americans struggle is not the American way. When your country goes to war and you want us to lose, this is not the American way. 

Are you an American or something else, as idealized in some Star Trek future where higher morals rule the galaxy? If you don’t believe in American exceptionalism, are you a good American? 

If you don’t acknowledge that America is probably the least racist country on the planet, are you a good American? If you demand that your ideas be implemented because you are sure of your moral superiority, are you a good American?

Words do mean things. “Fascist,” “racist,” “dictator,” “king,” “danger to democracy,” “smears,” “slander” and “besmirchment”: At what point do we give them credence and kill the bastard or acknowledge that the hyperbole has crossed the line and it is time to dial it back? 

If dudes in dresses are what will make America great again, so be it. Meanwhile, a lot—a lot—of us have other ideas.

Wayne Holbert is a proud American who lives in Pike County, PA.