THE 'HOW' MATTERS.

The criticism of Donald Trump for his often aggressive rudeness is quite valid. It is a personality flaw that has hobbled his good ideas and intentions as POTUS. This personality flaw defines him as much as any of his admirable traits or actions. Unfortunate for him and the country.

Trump's loudest critics are equally rude and aggressive. Some are violent anarchists who are using Trump's aggressive manner as an excuse for violent protest. These protests are actually tantrums with little contribution to public discourse. 

Prior to Trump's election, discontent was already rising in poor sections of inner cities. Eight years of the first African-American POTUS had not stopped gang violence and the rise in associated drug trafficking.

The Rust Belt had not recovered from 2008's Wall Street rip-off. Obamacare had not sufficiently improved health care delivery, even though it pleased health insurance executives. Wages declined. Unemployment was stagnant. America's geographic gut was aching while its coastal intelligentsia carried on as usual.

Ivory Towers got richer on student loans and wealthy foreign students. From these pinnacles of intellect, a gospel of global compliance and shallow social justice has been broadcast through their indoctrinated graduates. Mass distraction always works for thieves and liars.

America used to have its own special ethic: The American Way. This wasn't about flag-waving or riding around on an obnoxiously loud Harley-Davidson. It wasn't about smashing windows while hiding behind a black ninja outfit. It wasn't about wearing a red baseball cap with a slogan.

The American Way was founded on the concepts of personal independence and hard work, for oneself and one's community. 

The American Way was never about forcing people to "get along" by banning ideas and speech. The American Way entails debate and criticism about the things that bind us together or drive us apart: Our public institutions, our public infrastructure, our public education, our public health.

The American Way was not about banning prejudice or injustice. It was about educating people away from those impediments to a functional and lawful society. The American Way is dealing with injustice through justice, our Constitution and the laws which flow from it. Yes, America is improved by peaceful protest, but it is diminished by selfish violence. Our criminal justice system is currently struggling, but it is superior to most in the world. 

Lying manipulation by professional politicians is a cancer which is eating away at The American Way. America has fallen prey to a professional political class in league with corporate magnates. This is undermining the accomplishment of our revolutionary secession from aristocratic British society, a caste system which still exists today in the UK and throughout Europe.

How to turn this around while preserving The American Way is perhaps the greatest challenge America has faced. And how it is accomplished will matter. If it is accomplished through violence, the resulting American Way will be a diminished one.