Dear Reader, In February 2013 I gave a speech at theNational Prayer Breakfast. Standing afew feet from President Obama, I warnedmy fellow citizens of the dangers facingour country and called for a return tothe principles that made America great. Many Americans heard and responded, but ournation s decline has continued. Today the danger isgreater than ever before, and I have never shared amore urgent message than I do now. Our growing debt and deteriorating moralshave driven us far from the founders intent.We ve made very little progress in basic education.Obamacare threatens our health, liberty, and financialfuture. Media elitism and political correctnessare out of control. Worst of all, we seem to have lost our abilityto discuss important issues calmly and respectfullyregardless of party affiliation or other differences.As a doctor rather than a politician, I care aboutwhat works, not whether someone has an (R) or a(D) after his or her name. We have to come togetherto solve our problems. Knowing that the future of my grandchildrenis in jeopardy because of reckless spending, godlessgovernment, and mean-spirited attempts tosilence critics left me no choice but to write thisbook. I have endeavored to propose a road out ofour decline, appealing to every American s decencyand common sense. If each of us sits back and expects someone elseto take action, it will soon be too late. But with yourhelp, I firmly believe that America may once againbe one nation under God, indivisible, with libertyand justice for all. Sincerely, Ben Carson"