Imagine with me, if you will, a nation in serious economic recession. A nation that has seen a group of protesters profoundly affect the nation’s political system. A nation that faces a natural disaster and tries to diffuse nuclear tempers in an Asian peninsula. Sound like a ‘2010 year in review’? Dive into your imagination even further. A nation ruled by a ruthless dictator. A wall being erected to divide freedom and communism. Nuclear missiles pointed at the two world superpowers. Pretty scary, huh? Well this could be us, if we continue further down our present path.
Is America doomed to fail? No. The greatness of the citizens of America always prevails. Yet there is no doubt that America has seen brighter days. This is an issue that transcends Republicans and Democrats. How do we move America forward? As Ronald Reagan said, “there are no easy answers; but there are simple answers”. It’s time for America to “have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” It is time to take responsibility for our actions so that my generation can continue the American way of life to which we all are accustomed. It’s time for a new day in America.
My name is Tyler Duvelius. I am a Christian first and last. I am the Senior Class President at Lebanon High School. I am 17 years old. I am conservative. I am concerned about the direction in which our nation is headed. And I am not alone. God has blessed me with many opportunities throughout my young life. Now I have the unique opportunity to share the views of the world through the eyes of a high school student.
The American public has written off the high school age group as ‘disenchanted’ and ‘uncaring’ about events unfolding in America. What they fail to see are the conversations that take place at our lockers about our sincere concern for the country which we will inherit in a few short years. Problems that affect adults also affect teens. We will have the unfortunate duty of paying for government-mandated health care. We will have to deal with the effects of the BP Oil spill. We will have to shrink the national debt of over 13 trillion dollars. We want to be engaged in discussion; but no one ever asks.
What’s the easiest way to create a real change that America can believe in? Bring Christian values back into the American family. Put ‘ily’ (text message lingo for “I love you.”) back into family. Put the iPod, smartphone, and laptop down and start a genuine conversation with your loved ones. Practice fiscal conservatism. Be willing to band together to make simple solutions possible. Put country first. Idealistic? Sure. But wasn’t the very notion of America idealistic? Wasn’t it idealistic to put man on the moon in a decade? Heroes have built this nation from the start, and they will continue to make America the most prosperous country on the face of the earth.
I want to leave you with a quote from my favorite show, The West Wing: “Every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity maywell be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.”
I am only one person. I can’t change the world, but I can make a difference. Do I have your attention, now? Good.
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