America — the world’s oldest living democracy — needs as much love as it can get right now. As a native Kitsap resident now living in Germany, I feel compelled to write.

Recent U.S. political events have made abundantly clear why the framework of the U.S. Constitution is so important. That document enshrines the rule of law, separation of powers, checks and balances, free press and equal protection of individual liberties that American citizens enjoy and our elected officials pledge to defend. But alarmingly, some of these most cherished principles of our nation are now under attack from within by a sitting U.S. president.

Whatever political party affiliations one might currently have — Democrat, Republican, independent or other — a bond far stronger and noble unites us: our democratic republic itself. We present-day Americans have the generational opportunity and obligation to ensure our nation stays true to its founding principles.

I currently live abroad in Berlin, a city where one easily encounters evidence of the horrific dimensions that historical errors can assume and the terrible human consequences wrought by mistaken ideologies, irresponsible governance and failed conscience in the past.

Among countries, America is blessed to have its legal system and political norms. The history books will relate how well present-day U.S. citizens appreciated the inheritance received from our predecessors, whether we listened to our better angels in our self-governance and how willing we were to understand and face the true challenges of the 21st century.

Aaron Best

Berlin, Germany