Our country is on the brink of collapse as a constitutional federal representative republic. We are not a democracy, and believe you me you don't want us to be. A short time ago I thought we had time to save our nation. But I'm no longer optimistic. Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, to name a few, are without a doubt the worst leaders this country has ever seen. Every time I turn around they are passing a piece of legislation that infringes upon our freedoms in addition to being downright unconstitutional.

The fragmented American people (tea partiers, independents, third-party folks, ethnic groups and minorities) are going to have to unite under one banner: the Constitution. The most important thing is to restore our Creator to his rightful position in our public forum, family life and personal lives.

Those in power now and for the last 100 years or so will not relinquish their power easily. They know no bounds when it comes to deceit. They lie, connive, consort with our enemies and do all other manner of despicable deeds to sway public opinion and destroy the reputations of many God-fearing people.

Frederic Bastiat's book "The Law" talks of legal plunder: The few plunder the many, everybody plunders everybody or nobody plunders anybody. The first two lead to socialism. The third is based on justice. Which have we chosen?

Through God's guidance and grace, may we who are called by his name work peacefully but diligently to restore our nation to its once-proud heritage.

TOM YOUNG, Jackson