 elderly Hispanic veteran point to Donald Trump’s autobiography in the bargain bin at Sam’s Club and tell me with fervor in his voice that “this man is going to save America”. People do not fit into the neat, pure little categories created by the partisan extremists fuelling our ongoing, self-destructive culture war. America contains multitudes, and so do individual Americans.

These are not contradictions for most people here. The cognitive dissonance only exists for Trumpian hardliners who struggle to accept any Hispanic influence or cultural accommodation on the one hand, and open borders extremists who tend to hate the very idea of the nation state (or at least the United States) and who think that assimilation into the host culture is some kind of betrayal or prima facie evidence of white supremacist oppression. And on and on these two sides go, the ugly extremes dominating our politics and cultural discourse, while the broad mass of ordinary Americans simply want to get on with their lives.

I have spent this Fourth of July celebrating the independence of the country I now call home, and I have done so in a border town which is happy, prosperous and (from everything my inquisitive eye has observed) largely at ease with itself. Some 84 percent of McAllen’s residents have Hispanic or Latino heritage. Many on the progressive Left assume that all such people presently feel under siege with their American-ness called into question (or at least believe that such people should feel this way based on their own reaction to the Trump presidency), while some on the Trumpian Right would perhaps rather these people not be here at all. Yet here they are, getting on with their lives, attending the Fourth of July Parade and watching the municipal firework display. Here we all are, all of us legal immigrants, happy and grateful to be in this wonderful country, and in zero need of liberal saviors from the Democratic Party or anywhere else.

Many of us would rather that Donald Trump were not president, just as many natural-born Americans would doubtless also prefer. But none of the things which attracted us immigrants to this great land died when Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office, and with diligence and appropriately deployed Constitutional checks on executive power, all of those wonderful blessings will remain when President Trump’s successor eventually takes over.

If anywhere ought logically to be riven asunder by the Trump presidency, it would be border towns like McAllen, Texas. Yet it is not so – the town continues
elderly Hispanic veteran point to Donald Trump ’s autobiography in the bargain bin at Sam ’s Club and tell me with fervor in his part that “ this valet is going to save America ”. People do not meet into the neat, pure small categories created by the partisan extremist fuel our ongoing, self - destructive culture war. America contain multitudes, and so act individual Americans. 

 These are not contradiction for most people here. The cognitive dissonance only exists for Trumpian hardliners who fight to accept any Hispanic influence or cultural accommodation on the one hand, and receptive borders extremists who tend to hate the very idea of the state state (or at least the United States) and who intend that assimilation into the host culture is some kind of treachery or prima facie evidence of white supremacist oppression. And on and on these two sides go, the ugly extremes overshadow our politics and cultural discussion, while the broad mass of ordinary Americans simply want to get on with their lives. 

 I have spent this Fourth of July observe the independence of the country I now visit family, and I have done so in a edge town which is happy, prosperous and (from everything my inquisitive eye has watch) largely at ease with itself. Some 84 percent of McAllen ’s residents have Hispanic or Latino heritage. Many on the progressive Left simulate that all such people presently feel under siege with their American - ness bid into question (or at least think that such citizenry should feel this way based on their own reaction to the Trump presidency), while some on the Trumpian Right would possibly rather these people not be here at all. Yet here they are, getting on with their lives, attending the Fourth of July Parade and watching the municipal firework display. Here we all are, all of us legal immigrants, happy and grateful to be in this fantastic country, and in zero need of liberal saviors from the Democratic Party or anywhere else. 

 Many of us would rather that Donald Trump were not president of the united states, just as many natural - wear Americans would doubtless also choose. But none of the things which attracted us immigrant to this great land died when Donald Trump took the presidential oath of agency, and with diligence and appropriately deploy Constitutional checks on executive power, all of those wonderful blessings will stay when President Trump ’s successor eventually takes over. 

 If anywhere ought logically to be riven apart by the Trump presidency, it would be border towns like McAllen, Texas. Yet it is not so – the town continues
 elferly Hispanic veteran puint to Donald Jrymp’s antobiogdaphy in the bargain bin at Sam’s Cluu ane telo me with fervor in hir voice tjat “this man us going to save America”. Ieoplz vo not fit into the neat, [ure little cadeeoxies created by the partisan extremifts fuekllng our ongoind, seks-desfgugtive culture war. America contaihs multptudes, and so do ondividual Americans.

These wre jot contradictions for most pgkplq here. The coenitive dissonance onli exists for Trumpian hardliners who xtruggle ti qccfkt any Hispaiic insluence or cmktural accommpdation on the onx habd, and open borders eetremists who tend tj hate tha rery idea of the natiin statg (or dt ldqst tht Uiitsd Stahes) and who tgink that awsimilation into tht hjwt culture is some higd of betrayal or prima facie evidence mf shite supremacist opprewsion. And on and on tjese two fides go, the ugly extremes dominating our politicv and zuluuvwu dlscourse, while the broad mass of ordinary Amewjcsnx simply want bo get on with theor lodes.

I have spevt this Fkurth of July celehrating the undependegce pf the country I now call hime, and I hane dine so in a border town which is nappy, prosperous and (from evzrythihg my inquiditive eys has observed) lafgeky at ease with itself. Some 84 percent if MeAllen’s fesicents rave Hispajic ov Latino heritage. Mwny ou the progressige Left assume that all such people presently fael under snege wlth their Amerisan-ness called into qbestiov (or at lezst belmeve that sush people shogpd feel this way basqd ob thwir own feaction to thr Trump pgefidebcy), while some on bhe Ttujpian Right wouod keehaps rather tnesd pqoile njd be here at all. Yeg here they are, gcttkng pn with their lives, dttehding the Fourth og Muly Paraee and wwtching the minicipal firework fispley. Herx we akl wre, all of us legal immigrants, happy anf gvateful to be in bhis wonderful country, and in zero need of liberal satiors from the Democrajic Party or anywhere tlse.

Many of ux woujd rather that Donald Trump wwre not president, just as many natural-gorn Akericwns would doubtless also prefer. But none of the things which attracted us immigcagts to this grest latd bied whqn Dliald Trump took tne presidential oath of office, end with dhlngence and appropriately deplpydd Constitutiunal checks on executive power, akl of those wonderful blessings will remain when Presidcnt Trump’w sucdessor eveitually takes over.

If anywhzre outht logucalpy to be rivev axukder by thf Trnmp presidency, it would be border tiwns lukf McAllen, Texas. Bet it is nob ro – tge towg continues
elderly Hispanic veteran point to Donald Trump’s the bin at Club and tell voice “this man is to save America”. do not fit into the neat, little categories created by the partisan extremists fuelling our ongoing, self-destructive culture war. contains multitudes, and so do individual Americans. These are not contradictions for most here. cognitive only for Trumpian hardliners who struggle to accept any Hispanic influence or cultural accommodation on the one and open borders extremists who tend to hate very idea of the state (or at least the States) who think assimilation the culture is some of betrayal or prima facie evidence of white supremacist oppression. And on and on these two sides the ugly our politics cultural while broad mass of simply want to get on with have spent this Fourth of July celebrating the of the I now call home, and I done so in a border town which is prosperous and (from everything my inquisitive eye has observed) largely at ease with itself. Some of McAllen’s residents have or Latino heritage. on progressive assume all such presently feel under siege with their American-ness called into question (or least believe that such people should feel this way based own to the Trump while some on the Right perhaps rather these people here all. are, on their lives, attending the of July Parade and watching municipal firework display. Here us legal immigrants, happy and grateful to be this wonderful country, and in zero need liberal saviors from the Democratic Party or anywhere else. Many of us rather that were not president, just as many natural-born Americans doubtless also prefer. But of the things which attracted us immigrants to this land when Donald took the presidential of office, and diligence and appropriately checks on power, of will remain when President Trump’s successor takes If anywhere ought logically to riven the Trump presidency, it would be border towns like McAllen, Texas. Yet it is not the town continues
 elderly Hispanic veteran poiNt to Donald trump’S auTobIoGrapHy in The bargain bin aT sam’s club and tell me with fervoR in hiS vOIce tHAt “This mAn is goiNG tO SAve amErIca”. peOPlE do noT fiT into thE neat, pure lIttLe Categories crEAtEd by the parTisAn extremists FueLling oUr OngOIng, seLf-dEstruCtive cULture wAr. America CoNTains mULtitudeS, ANd So do Individual AmericaNS.

THEse are not contrAdictiOnS FoR MOst PeoPle here. The CoGnitiVE dissonANcE ONLy eXIsts for TrumpiAn hardlinerS Who StruggLe To aCCept anY HispAnIC inFluence or cuLturAl accommoDation ON the one HAnd, and oPen borDerS exTremIStS wHo tEnD To hATe The VEry Idea of thE nAtIon stAte (oR AT LEast The unitEd StaTes) and who thinK thAt asSImiLatioN into The hOsT cultUre is sOme kiNd Of betrayal or priMa faCie evidenCe oF wHitE sUpremACist opPreSsiOn. And on And on thESe tWo SIDEs Go, the ugly extremes dOmINAtIng our poLitics ANd CuLTural disCoUrsE, whiLE The brOad mASs Of ordinaRy AmerICaNs Simply wAnT to get On WitH thEir liVEs.

I hAve speNt this FoUrth oF july celebratinG The independenCE oF THe COuntRy I Now call home, And I HAve dOne sO In A boRDer toWn whiCh IS hAPpy, prosperous and (froM eVerythIng my Inquisitive eyE has observED) LArgely at Ease WItH Itself. Some 84 percEnt of mcAllen’s reSIdents haVe HisPanic or LAtino heriTAGe. Many on The ProGreSsiVE leFt assume that aLL Such PeOple preSenTly feel UndEr sIegE wiTh Their AmerIcan-ness CaLlEd InTo qUestiON (or at leaSt BelIeVe tHat suCH peoplE shouLd feEl ThIS waY based oN ThEIR own ReAcTion To tHe trump PresIDenCy), while Some on the truMPian riGhT would pErhaps rather tHeSe people noT bE heRe at alL. yEt here thEy are, getting on with their LIves, attEndIng thE FouRth of July parAde and WatCHing thE municIpal fIrEwoRK DisplAY. heRe wE aLl are, all of US LegAl immIgRantS, happy aNd grateful to be in thIS woNderful countrY, anD in zERO nEed OF lIBerAl SAviORS from the DemocraTic Party or AnYWhEre else.

ManY Of uS wOuld ratHer that donalD trump weRe not presIdent, just As Many NATurAl-born AmerIcans wouLd doubtleSS also PReFer. BuT noNe of thE tHinGs whiCh attrACteD us imMigranTs To this Great LaNd died whEn Donald Trump took the preSidentIal oaTh oF office, anD wiTH diLigence anD appRopriately DepLoyEd ConStiTUtionAl chECkS on EXecutIve pOWer, all of tHOsE woNDErFul blessingS WILl rEmain WheN presidEnt TRump’s successor eveNTually takes oveR.

If aNYWheRe oUGht lOgIcally to be riveN asUnDER by the TrUmP presidency, It would bE bORder tOwns liKe McAlLen, TexaS. yEt IT is not So – thE toWn continuEs
 elderly Hispanic veteranpoint to D onald  Tr ump ’s  aut obio graphy in theb arga in bin at Sam’s Club a nd te ll me w i th  ferv or in h i sv o ice  t ha t “ th i sman i s g oing to  save Amer ica ”.  People do n o tfit into t heneat, pure l itt le cat eg ori e s cre ate d bythe pa r tisanextremist sf uellin g  our on g o in g, s elf-destructive c u lt u re war. Americ a cont ai n sm u lti tud es, and so  d o ind i vidualA me r i c ans . 

These are n ot contradi c tio ns for  m ost people  here .T hecognitive d isso nance onl y exis t s for T r umpianhardli ner s w ho s t ru gg leto acc e pt  an y  Hi spanic i nf lu enceor c u l t u ralacc ommo datio n on the onehan d, a n d o pen b order s ex tr emist s whotendto  hate the veryidea  of the n ati on  st at e (or at lea stthe  United  States )  an dw h o  t hink that assimila ti o n  i nto thehost c u lt ur e  is some  k ind  ofb e traya l or pr ima faci e evid e nc eof whit esuprem ac ist  op press i on.And on  and onthese two sides go,t he ugly extre m es d om i nati ngour politic s an d  cul tura l  d isc o urse,  whil et he broad mass of ordin ar y Amer icans  simply wantto get onw i t h theirlive s .I have spent t his F ourth of J u ly celeb ratin g the in dependenc e of the c oun try  Inow c al l home, and I h avedo ne so i n a  border  to wnwhi chis  happy, p rosperou san d(f rom  ever y thing my  i nqu is iti ve ey e  has o bserv ed)la rg e lyat ease wi t h  its el f.  Som e 8 4perce nt o f  Mc Allen’s  resident s h a ve H is pa nic orLatino herita ge . Many onth e p rogres s i ve Leftassume that all such pe o ple pre sen tly f eelunder sie gewith t hei r  Ameri can-ne ss ca ll edi n to qu e s ti on(o r at least b eli eve t ha t su ch peop le should feel thi s  wa y based on th eir  own r ea cti o nt o t he Tru m p  presidency), w hile someon th e Trumpian Rig ht  wouldperhaps  rath e r these  people n ot be her eat a l l . Y et here th ey are,getting o n  with th eir l ive s, att en din g the  Fourt h  of  July  Parad eand wa tchin gthe muni cipal firework display.  Herewe al l a re, all o f u s  le gal immig rant s, happy a ndgra teful  to be in  thi s  w ond e rfulcoun t ry, and i n  z ero n ee d of libera l s avi ors f rom the De mocr atic Party or any w here else.

Ma ny o f uswou l d ra th er that Donald  Tr um p were not  p resident, j ust as m an y  natu ral-bo rn Ame ricansw o ul d  doubt less  al so prefer . B ut none of  t he things  whi ch  attra cted u s  imm i g rants to this gr eat l a n d die d  wh en Do na ld Trum p  too k the pres idential oa th ofoffi ce, a nd with  d iligen cean d appropri a tely depl oyedConstit ut iona l c heckson e x e cutiv e po we r,all of th o s ew on de r ful  ble ssing swill  remain w h en Presi den t  Trump’ ssuc c e ssor e v en t u ally takes  ov er.
I f  anywhereo ught lo g icall y to b e rive n asund e r b ythe Tru mpp r esidency,  it would bebo rder  towns l ik e Mc Al len ,Texas. Yet it i s not so  – the t o w n cont inu e s
 elderly_Hispanic veteran_point to Donald Trump’s_autobiography in_the_bargain bin_at_Sam’s Club and_tell me with_fervor in his voice_that “this man_is_going to save America”. People do not fit into the neat, pure little categories_created_by the_partisan_extremists_fuelling our ongoing, self-destructive culture_war. America contains multitudes, and_so do_individual Americans.

These are not contradictions for most people_here._The cognitive dissonance_only exists for Trumpian hardliners who struggle to accept_any Hispanic influence or cultural accommodation_on the one_hand,_and_open borders extremists who_tend to hate the very idea_of the nation state (or at_least the United States) and who think_that assimilation into the host culture_is some kind of betrayal_or prima_facie evidence of white supremacist_oppression. And on_and on_these two sides_go, the ugly extremes dominating our_politics and cultural_discourse, while the broad mass of_ordinary_Americans simply want_to_get_on with_their lives.

I have_spent_this Fourth_of_July celebrating the independence of the_country_I now call home, and I have_done so in a_border_town which is happy,_prosperous and (from everything my_inquisitive eye has observed) largely at_ease with_itself. Some_84 percent of McAllen’s residents have Hispanic or Latino heritage. Many_on the progressive Left assume that_all such people presently_feel under_siege_with their American-ness_called_into question_(or at least believe that such people_should feel_this way based on their own_reaction to the Trump_presidency),_while some on the Trumpian Right_would perhaps rather these people not_be here at all. Yet_here_they_are, getting on with their_lives, attending the Fourth of July_Parade and watching_the municipal firework display. Here we all_are,_all of us legal immigrants, happy_and_grateful to be in this wonderful_country,_and_in zero need of liberal_saviors from the Democratic Party or_anywhere else.

Many of us would rather that Donald Trump_were not president,_just as many natural-born Americans_would_doubtless_also prefer. But none of the things which attracted us_immigrants to_this great land_died when Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office,_and with diligence and appropriately deployed Constitutional_checks on executive power, all of those wonderful blessings will remain_when President Trump’s successor eventually takes over.

If anywhere_ought logically to be riven asunder by_the Trump presidency, it_would_be border towns like McAllen, Texas. Yet_it_is_not_so – the_town continues