For the past few decades, the specter of American decline has been persistent, and eventually it became to many sadly inevitable, and acutely so during the Obama and Biden administrations. Many Americans resigned themselves to the notion that America could no longer compete, and that we could no longer win diplomatically, economically, or militarily. All disappointed and discouraged older generations grumbled and shrugged, but Generation Z (Gen Z), those born from 1997-2012, were being denied their dreams and futures before they ever got started.

To be fair, the Democrat Media Complex has been painting America’s prospects as bleak and futile for years, so pessimism by youth who have barely had any life experiences is forgivable and understandable. Democrat policies typically fail. They foster economic collapse with onerous regulation and high taxes stoking inflation, which makes it hard for working folks to make ends meet. They also create chaos with domestic unrest by weak law enforcement and international turmoil from feckless foreign policy. It seems they are deliberately trying to weaken the nation, because they are. Democrat’s priority is to make Americans dependent on government, so voters will vote for more government or essentially tyranny. Liberty-loving citizens are anathema to Democrats.

Democrats absolutely need a cowed, demoralized electorate to have any hope of winning any elections, so they are inextricably wedded to doom and gloom. The Democrat message is economic malaise, societal decay, and climate Armageddon. They are certain Americans cannot survive without government housing, food stamps, and free childcare. That’s why they are befuddled that average Americans just carry on during silly government shutdowns. They scold Americans for any sense of morality as bigoted to foment more moral turpitude. And finally, they swear that climate change will ultimately destroy the planet, so what’s the point?

In short, the Democrat Media Complex is busily selling hopelessness and nihilism. They insist there are no grounds for objective truth, so everything is relative and thereby anything is acceptable. Therefore, traditional beliefs and values are unfounded and thereby worthless. Their conclusion is that existence is senseless and useless, so you might as well give up and subscribe to hedonism. Therefore, the remedy is destruction of the republic because conditions are so bad it doesn’t matter.

Fortunately, reality stubbornly doesn’t reconcile with leftist Democrat recommendations. President Trump has reinvigorated the economy, returned law and order, and restored American prestige and respect on the world stage. Inflation has been conquered, so average Americans again feel they have a chance. The border is secure, and streets are steadily becoming safer. Trump is literally being celebrated around the globe from Asia to Europe to the Middle East. South America is soon to follow when he defeats the iron grip of cruel cartels. Hope in America has been renewed.

America is back, but that is not the real impetus – God is back! Certainly, God never left, but Americans are returning to God. After decades of declining church attendance, there is a new surge in church attendance led by Gen Z! Millennials are coming up right behind them. Bible sales have swelled 36% since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. His legacy is just beginning.

Despite years of progressive clergy trying to woo Americans back to church by condoning and even endorsing sin, religion in America was fading, but Charlie Kirk not only led a political realignment, he sparked a spiritual revival – he offered Biblical truth! Left empty by progressive bromides, our youth heard the truth and were naturally attracted to the Gospel message.

Formerly the party of the working class, Democrats have sold out to their thirst for power and catering to the politics of envy; in short, they have surrendered to sin. They have become the socialist pirate party. They promise to confiscate wealth from working Americans and redistribute to non-working Americans; and they encourage malcontent voters to abandon morality and indulge whatever sin they see fit in their eyes. In essence, their platform is to make Americans slave to the government and sin. They are openly flirting with communism and don’t care who knows.

Thankfully, Gen Z sees through the lies, and are realizing they have been grossly deceived by progressive propaganda and cheated by destructive Democrat economic policies. Perceiving the inauthenticity of the progressive Democrat platform, they see they cannot prosper by subsisting off a corrupt government, and they cannot be fulfilled by surrendering to the bondage of government and sin. Thanks largely to Charlien Kirk, Gen Z wants to provide for themselves and seek Christ to escape the servitude of sin.

Youth may be difficult to understand with differences older folks can’t comprehend, but they too ultimately want the opportunity to succeed and have a better future. They can detect fakers and pretenders, but they also plainly see that under Trump America is again ascending. They want to be part of something greater than themselves, so when they see real improvement and learn that America has long history of unparalleled prosperity, they embrace it. Moreover, they are realizing that their quest for edification is more spiritual than political. Thank you, Charlie Kirk.

Probably seldom taught anymore, in the early 19th century French Philosopher Alexis De Tocqueville noted that “America is great, because America is good.” The good news for all Americans is that Gen Z is learning this by practical experience, and they are leading the growing revival in the country. The rest of us should applaud and encourage them. Gen Z, don’t give up! Keep pursuing the truth and seeking the Lord and you will ensure the American Dream is not dead!

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.