Lyndon Johnson introduced the Great Society to America. I guess he thought he was doing the right thing, but time has proven that his ideas for a better America with better people was a total and complete failure.

America, since Johnson's presidency, has strayed far from being a free Republic with individual accomplishment and reward.

Those raised in the 1950s and 1960s can't recognize this as the same country. His programs rewarded everything that was and is wrong with politics today. Votes are bought with entitlements, which help create a parasitic mindset in almost half of our population.

When Johnson was sworn in as president, 70 percent of black children born had parents who were married. That's not the case today. Those who work and save must be fair and share with those who are lazy and don't know what motivation is. Most people under the age of 40 have no idea what freedom from government is and how great it was to live without some group of politicians deciding what is right, good and honorable.

The so-called Patriot Act has, in effect, destroyed what was left of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution while we sit and do nothing.

American history is a foreign subject, at least the way it is taught. If the younger generation knew true history, I feel they would revolt. Many recent graduates know nothing of our country's past, and less about current events. I was embarrassed watching TV where most of those interviewed did not know the famous faces shown by the host.

Do we have any patriots left who will stand and demand better? If not, we are going to lose the greatest Republic the world has ever known.

Keith Crosby

Newnan