First, I would like to thank the editor for printing the letter by Jim and Tim Stiles. Growing up I always heard that we would be destroyed from within - not from without. It seems like we are getting hit from within by the "Progressive Socialist" politics. Hillary Clinton said she was proud to be a "Modern Progressive."

We are being hacked with computers from the outside. We have lost respect around the world. The "red line" for all negotiations have been made so many times - how can you expect anyone to believe them?

At the end of the '60s it was believed we were 60 percent Socialist. What has happened to a lot of our individual freedoms? At one time when you had a business, it was up to you how you ran it - whether you succeeded or failed, you had the right to refuse service to anyone. Then the government comes along and says, "No, we will tell you what you can do." It is like saying you work for us. It amazes me how ignorant the American people are of our country. History is not taught anymore. When I was in school you were taught things to help you survive. You had to memorize the preamble to the Constitution before you graduated.

Lately there has been so much said about the Confederate flag by politicians and businesses. You hear people say that they are offended by it. It is a part of our history. Some people seem to want to change our history. There are so many ignorant people that know nothing about the south. But they have an opinion. Bigotry can run both ways. I lost respect for Walmart when someone ordered a class ring, called and said it was ready, only to get there and be told they could not sell it because of a small confederate flag. Now they will melt all those rings down.

In Memphis, Tenn., they want to dig up the dead because he was a Confederate general. When they start digging up the dead you know we are in deep trouble. If it was not so stupid it would be funny. There doesn't seem to be much humor anymore. Everything is so politically correct it drowns out the truth.

If I had two flagpoles, I would have one with the American flag and MIA below it. The other one would have "Don't tread on me" on the top, and below it the Confederate flag because of history. Before another piece of freedom is taken away.

It has nothing to do with race. I am offended by the prejudice and ignorance of the liberals in the media and elsewhere. God has been taken out of our country. I think of all the blood that has been shed for this country. Until you have some skin in the game you may not fully understand and take our freedom for granted. You always have to keep an eye on the government - from local to the White House.

Remember freedom isn't free. George Washington said no nation can exist without morals.

Gene Webb is a Coeur d'Alene resident.