President Trump's hit slogan, "Make America Great Again," or MAGA as it is often shortened, evokes tremendous emotion. Some say it with great pride, some with indifference, and some with disgust and a hint of nausea. However, the slogan has clearly gripped the American populace like none other, as evidenced by the sweeping results of the presidential election.

The MAGA movement is often chastised and vilified as a nonsensical agenda of intoxicated hillbillies, racial provocateurs and low-intelligence Americans. Though these statements usually come from the far left in an attempt to demonize the conservative movement, they are echoed in traditional media outlets, dominating screen time and making it seem like the left's consensus. The authentic MAGA movement is precisely what it says: Make America Great Again. It represents American citizens' desire to bring back the America they've always known.

An America where families felt safe walking on their streets. Where communities didn't look at each other with paranoia. An America where people didn’t walk on glass so as not to offend anyone. A place where hard work was rewarded, opportunities were based on merit and not your skin color. An America where faith, family, freedom, and hard work were the four cornerstones of every household.

This longing for a time of less daily trials isn’t a partisan or geographic concern; it echoes through cities far beyond New Orleans and Baton Rouge. New Orleans used to be called the City of Dreams and America's most European city. Would you say that same thing now? Though it is getting better under the current leadership of Governor Landry, it is still not a place where I'm comfortable walking around with my wife and daughter at night without carrying a firearm. This is a violation of the social contract, and it's not just New Orleans – it's everywhere: Detroit, San Francisco, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Chicago – the list goes on.

The MAGA movement is anthemic of a time when men and women weren't forced to choose whether the power bill or the car payment should be late. Whether they should stock up on groceries or ensure the water bill doesn’t lapse again. The MAGA movement is the battle cry of 77 million Americans nationwide who long for better days.

Better days like the Trump tax cuts, which helped put money back in Americans' pockets; energy independence through increased drilling; tougher negotiations with rivals like China on the world stage; and the restoration of strength and security to keep the world safer. With the swearing-in of Donald Trump as our 47th President, America's decline is over, and our golden age can begin.