Honesty, integrity and decency are basic traits we need to get back to

Heritage is a sacred word in my book.We learn much from the past, rights, wrongs and otherwise as we continually gravitate to the future.

There is much value in our past, but it isn't always recognized as value. Learning from the insight, passion and fortitude that led our forefathers in the past are treasures that can be rediscovered if we allow ourselves to take a step back in time and re-acquaint ourselves with character traits that made so many of our former statesmen such great leaders. Honesty, integrity and common decency are traits that seem to have taken a back seat to greed and power in so many facets of our society.

Too many times, the American public has voted inept leaders into office. They get in office and wing their way through from term to term with their so-called advisors calling the shots.

With so much at stake right now, we need to revert back to a common-sense approach to issues. The pendulum is swinging and I believe the true American spirit will prevail. The declining economy may just be the best thing that's happened to this country to drop people to their knees, if only to think about what is really important besides personal self-gratification.

The degree of our wants today has far outbalanced our needs. A handful of off-road and water toys, fancy cars in three and four-car garages, an RV sitting beneath its own awning - all these things have simply become a way of life for many Americans. For some, however, a few of these toys are parked along various roadsides boasting For Sale signs.

It seems such a short time ago when families were happy to have their basic needs met. Those needs included a family car, a roof over their head, modest clothing to wear and food to sustain them. Back a few decades, the gravy was a second car - in our family it was an older model that gave mom a vehicle to do the family grocery shopping while dad took the other to work. I remember we children shared mom's car until we could afford to buy one and provide the insurance for it.

Not in recent years. Children these days are totally spoiled with parents buying their teen a car better than any I ever drove or hope to drive. The teen's insurance policy is also usually covered by good ol' mom and dad.

It's true, we live in a different world than our parents and grandparents lived in. But our values certainly should not have strayed so far.

It's not a question of going back to the dark ages. We have modern conveniences beyond imagination. The real question is, do we need them all and all at once?

Because of technology, we move faster, talk faster, work faster in this fast-paced world of ours. But the guidelines are still there for us to follow. It's a simple matter of choice.

If something is an unhealthy influence, eliminate it. If it's a healthy influence, monitor it. Even too much of a good thing can turn to sour grapes. I would say overindulgence is a serious matter whatever it happens to be.

Conservative and moderate are some good concepts to guide us.

Liberalism has done enough damage to our society. This country has endured a lot and sensible people are still enduring what once was considered unthinkable. I believe dedicated American still has a conscience. A lot of folks are saying they're pretty fed up with political correctness.

Right now, our leaders need to get out of the denial mode and begin utilizing our own resources. It's time to stop so much dependency from those abroad who hate America and the dreams that made this country so great. Our own industries must prevail in a sensible approach in order to bring this country back into perspective. We have been led astray, far from our heritage. Let's get back to basics of living for what's really important. One by one, we better figure it out before it's too late.