This is 2012, and the first time we've had a president who was a minority.

I read all the letters in the BND. I never knew that there was still so much race discrimination in our country.

We ask other countries to try democracy. Well, look at us now. We've had so-called Americans to call the commander in chief everything but Mr. President.

No one calls President George W, Bush names like "monkey" or a racial epitaph. Why is that? The color of a man's skin makes that much difference in a man? We keep trying to get the rest of the world to like us, or at least tolerate us, but we can't even get along with each other here in this country.

We talk about how bad other countries treat their citizens. Well, look at us now. We had a congressman stand on the House floor and call the president a liar.

We all are supposed to be Americans. It's time we act like it.

We can make this a better country if we just put America first. America and its citizens must always come first at all cost.

Robert Kirkland Jr.

O'Fallon