It's time to renew the American spirit

We need to return to what made America great:

When at war, we all unite to win it.

Serving our country was honorable and respected.

We strived for and took pride in a strong military.

Laws were enforced, not made to be broken.

Immigrants were a strength toward building our country, not a problem to be solved.

Every able-bodied adult was expected to stand on their own feet.

You expected to be rewarded for hard work and studies.

There was aid for every American who truly needed it, usually provided by nongovernmental charities.

American products were known for quality and foreign imports were poor substitutes.

Workers voluntarily saved for hard times and retirement.

We purchased only what we could afford.

Family, religion, and education was the bedrock of our nation.

Religion was an individual's choice, not a political debate.

Students went to schools to be educated, not to be pushed to graduate.

Our presidents were respected. They were defined by their policies, not by comedy shows.

You were respected for who you were, not for who you represented.

Foreign policies were determined by what was best for Americans. Period.

We need to continue to believe in America the Beautiful.

Robert W. Kuechenberg

Palatine