Libertas, Justus, Virtus. As stated by M.N.S. Sellars in his book, American Republicanism, these three words were the most oft-quoted values that upheld the American Republic in the eyes of our Founding Fathers. It is interesting to note, however, what is lacking in our world today. We certainly believe in the freedom we have as Americans (i.e. libertas). We believe people should be treated equally and fairly as best as possible (i.e. justus). And we certainly understand how our great Republic would be torn assunder if these two pillars were to fall underneath us.

But do we really believe that our Republican frame of government is ensured by virtus? Today our society would much rather seek "liberty and justice for all" and not deal with the weightier matters of moral excellence. Why do we have corruption in our Federal government? Because we have corruption among our citizens! A government is only as strong as the people who support it. We have forgotten this third pillar of our Republic and because of it our nation is disentegrating from the bottom up.

It is my prayer that through the discussions we engage in here that we might come to a better understanding of both the why and the how of restoring the moral and civic values that made our country great.

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Jon Burnett is a graduate of Cleburne High School (Cleburne, TX, 2004) and the Community College of the Air Force (AAS in Emergency Management, 2006) and is currently studying liberal studies at Regions University. He shares his life with his beautiful wife Courtney (and their adorable Scoodle, Bonnie) in Waldorf, MD where Jon serves as an Emergency Management Journeyman at nearby Andrews AFB. The Burnetts are active members of the Waldorf church of Christ with whom Jon leads singing and teaches Bible class.