On the eve of Independence Day, now that Ash Carter has lifted the ban on transgendered people serving openly in the military, one can finally say that virtually all Americans are free to defend their country.

It took since World War II — when African-Americans first began to be integrated into the military, that a democratic society has finally permitted all to serve.

Despite the hateful things said by dead-enders, now everyone will be free to “defend to the death their right to say it.”

Make America great again?   When did it cease being great?