If you look back in our not too distant history, America was revered and feared most when we stuck to the values of our forefathers. Not tolerating despots, dictators or political ideologies that have since been proven to fail. When this great nation of ours sheds the "we have to be liked" mentality only then will we regain our previous strength and standing in the world. As a cold war era veteran that served under Reagan and Bush it is disheartening at times to witness what we have become. I have faith in our system and I pray that come this November our newly elected politicians will have the grit to move forward and stand up to the mess that has been created over the past years.