America has weathered its share of storms in recent years: a global pandemic, civil unrest, record inflation and a culture war that grows hotter by the day. Today, the antidote to American decline is rediscovering our faith: our faith in the American people, faith in America’s founding principles, and faith in God.

America is a freedom-loving nation, full of hardworking, generous and compassionate people who see the world clearly, value common sense and have proven their ability to do hard things and set things right. Our challenge today is to have a government as good as our people again.

That means our leaders must trust the American people enough to speak hard truths and have faith that they will do the right thing. Leaders must resist the temptation to put what is popular over what is wise and resist the politics of personality and the lure of populism unmoored to timeless values.

One such truth is that weakness arouses evil, but peace comes through strength. At a time when Russia is on the move in Eastern Europe and China is menacing across the Asia Pacific, America has an obligation to be the leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy. If America isn’t leading the free world, the free world isn’t being led.

Another hard truth is that our nation is on the path to fiscal insolvency. For the first time, our national debt is now equal to the size of our entire economy. Without reform, government overspending and ballooning entitlement programs will crush future generations with mountains of debt.

At a time when our most cherished values and traditions are maligned by the popular culture on a daily basis, leaders must speak clearly about the importance of traditional marriage as the foundation of our civilization; against the gender insanity that is poisoning our public discourse; and above all, about the sanctity of human life.

Second, we must regain our faith in the principles of America’s founding. The U.S. Constitution is the greatest charter for freedom ever written. For most of our history, both political parties were committed to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.

Sadly, that is no longer the case. We live in a time when liberals routinely demean the American founding. Today, the left seeks to rewrite our Constitution, erase the Second Amendment, cancel free speech and redefine the liberties enshrined in our Bill of Rights.

America needs leaders who recognize that they are the last line of defense for the Constitution of the United States. The American people must know their leaders will always keep their oath to the Constitution, even when it would be politically expedient to do otherwise.

Finally, and most importantly, we must rediscover our faith in God. America has always been a nation of faith, where all are free to live, speak and worship in accordance with their conscience. Faith can be a uniting force that helps us overcome our differences and rebuild the bonds of love and loyalty that make us one.

With faith in the American people, faith in the Constitution, and faith in God, I know the best days for this one nation under God are yet to come.