America is at a crossroads. We have known this for 10 years now but after each tragic event or “bubble” America has gone back to sleep because we wanted to believe that we could have it all and “it just isn’t as bad as they say.” Our gut however, has told us that it was time to wake up and use what used to be known as “common sense.” It is what Americans from all points of the political compass meant when focus groups gave every politician the presidential campaign slogan, change.
After spending years, and thousands of man-hours, in research, reflection, and prayer, my team and I have come to realize that a “Fundamental Transformation” is required. While it is just as powerful, it’s also the polar opposite of what President Obama touted last election. President Obama and the progressive ruling class of both parties believe in the collective planned society. I believe America’s answers are to be found with, by, and in the individual American honestly pursuing happiness not in 2,000 page bills.
If one is looking for a “collective” based solution it can be found in the phrase: America is great because America is good. When we look for our answers in Washington we ask our politicians or parties to “make us good.” They cannot. But we can, must, and will. The secret our Founders understood was that America is good because individual Americans are honest, just, thrifty, responsible, educated, charitable and God fearing.
“America is great because America is good” is not just some trite slogan. It is a deep and well thought out philosophy that has over 200 years of evidence of its truth. Yet we are being told on every level from our classrooms to our newsrooms that America is not good and never was great.
We cannot as a nation survive much longer. We must take a page from our own history at the Alamo and “draw a line in the sand.” We must decide who we are, what we are capable of and look to the heavens to chart our course. Do we return to the ideas of the past or do we continue West to the yet unrealized and unfulfilled promises laid out in our Founding ideals? We must choose as individuals and then put those choices into action. We must demonstrate to our children, neighbors and to ourselves that it is not policies or politicians but people that make this nation what it is for better or for worse.
This year, I as an individual and private citizen stand at those crossroads and boldly declare my choice. I will not accept that America’s best days are behind Her, that there is no such thing as American exceptionalism. Nor will I stand by silently as the most charitable nation in the history of mankind now needs the IRS to act as our charitable collection basket. I refuse to believe that Eric Holder is right when he states that we “are a nation of cowards” when it comes to issues of race.
I will admit our wrongdoing, but I will not be a constant apologist for our nations mistakes. However, I will also look for historical context. I choose to believe that while many Americans may be ignorant of even the basics of our own history, Americans are waking up in record numbers educating themselves. One of the first things they will find is that History tells us when this happens Americans change the world.
I will no longer look to others for leadership or answers. I will lead my family and teach them to be independent, honorable, educated and charitable. With firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence I choose to ReFound this amazing nation by rediscovering within myself, and my own circle of influence, the principles and ethics that defined American exceptionalism.
In 2011, my wife and I will dedicate significantly more of our personal resources to what some call charity but as you and I will show is nothing less than “investing in people.” I have also charted a new and exciting course for my company Mercury Radio Arts. I currently have plans on hiring more than 40 people as I expand many of our operations as well as creating new divisions such as one that will be known as “E4 Experiences”.
Over the next 12 months, all Mercury divisions, radio, television, books, digital and stage will focus on what I call “The E4 Solution.” The four “Es” consist of: Enlightenment, Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. We will challenge ourselves and those who choose to chart this course with us, to find what we as individuals really believe, challenge what we think we know and dig deep to find out what we are each capable of.
Today, I call out to those who are tired of feeling powerless. Commit to become the person you were meant to be, not who you have allowed yourself to become; the Father, mother, sibling, friend, businessperson and American. As the old story goes:
A man decided that he would change the world.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change the country.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his community.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his street.
But, be wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his family.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change himself.
AND HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.
AND HIS FAMILY CHANGED AND THEY AFFECTED THEIR STREET.
AND THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET AFFECTED
THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED THEIR COUNTRY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY AFFECTED THE WORLD.
Today, I ask you to take the first step in your success. This is part Enlightenment and part Empowerment (E1 and E3 of the E4 Solution). One of America’s premiere psychiatric minds, concerned American and good friend Dr. Keith Ablow has been working with me on a project called “The 7.” Together we have developed 7 steps that can help you change your life, I know because they are the 7 steps that I used to change my life. This book meant for those who are tired being less than happy, fulfilled and want to be a part of a life that is bigger than they can currently imagine.
In the next 12 months, I challenge each American to come to the place where they can say without equivocation “YES, I CAN.” I believe strong, educated, charitable individuals who can stand on their own two feet, because they know who they are, will be remembered by future historians as those Americans who once again answered the call and changed the world again.
