Editor,

I feel like I am in the midst of a Civil War fought with words. Lord help us before we get to guns. My family and my country are split. I am a proud liberal and an avid patriot. The two are not contrary. And my heart is breaking. I am horrified when I see suggestions that California secede from our nation. What is happening to us?

I believe one of our biggest problems is that so many don’t understand or even know the provisions of our Constitution. Our Constitution is an amazing document written not just for the quality of the prose, but to protect our country in times of disagreement and strife. I can deal with and respect others’ opinions when they fall within the provisions of our constitution. But when our government proposes to take unconstitutional actions, and many believe that is OK, I am extremely distressed.

I have heard our president refer to a “so-called judge” when the judge took an action he didn’t like. Our Constitution creates three branches of government to ensure that no branch and no person have too much power. The judicial branch, separate from the executive branch, has just as much power. The legislature also has equal power.

We do not have a dictatorship, despite what our president would like to believe.

Free speech is an extremely important protection of our Constitution. Our press, whether liberal or conservative, exercises free speech every day. When our president states that the press is the enemy of the people, he is challenging our right to free speech.

I have heard others say that demonstrating disrespects our country. On the contrary, our Supreme Court has ruled that peaceful demonstration is a form of free speech. We as citizens have the right to demonstrate to make our voice heard when we disagree with any of the branches of our government.

But what hurts most, is the idea that any part of our country should leave because it disagrees with our president or because it exercises its constitutional freedoms. I and others can adamantly disagree and still remain loyal patriots.

I am American. I love my country and the Constitution with which it was formed. If you can’t appreciate the protections in our Constitution, perhaps you should leave. But for those of us who love this country, disagreement is one of the cornerstones of our democracy.

Christine Crowell

Coupeville