In the year 2016, we are in far worse shape than 20 years ago. There are terrorists, there is global warming on the verge of no return, countries are colliding, more nuclear weapons are being produced, and it seems that every country is doing a better job of getting along than the United States.

When I was growing up, I was taught that we are all made up the same. We have the same blood, same bones, we are created by the Heavenly Father, so there is no reason we should separate ourselves. Why is it that 2016 seems to be the one year that America has turned on itself? I understand this idea has been brewing for quite some time, however, isn’t that just causing more of an issue? We complain that our country isn’t great anymore, yet we are the cause of it.

As the presidential election starts drawing closer, we need to keep in mind a lot of things. First of all, we need to eventually come together and put all racial, religious and political differences aside in order for America to be great again. “We the people of the United States come together to form a more perfect union.” Have we forgotten about this concept? Or are we just too wrapped up in ourselves to care that we used to be great because of our own selfish ways? I mean, other countries are beginning to laugh at us.

Secondly, as Americans, we need to look at all of the obstacles that we face as a country. Do we like the policies the presidential candidates have? Do you feel that these candidates are going to represent us in the best way possible? We need to become an educated America if not for our sake, but for that of the future.

Lastly, we need to stop being so naïve. Alright, America, a lot of things have happened since you fell asleep and decided to be selfish. Gas prices went down, the planet has experienced its hottest year in history in 2015 and no one seems to understand that, according to the Doomsday Clock, we are now three minutes to midnight. This means that if we do not wake up, we could potentially be creating our own death sentence.

America, we need to remember that what used to make us great was that we put all of our differences aside to become something. We need to stop trying to attack each other because of the color of others' skin. We need to stop refusing to help someone who is in need because we want to keep every penny and every minute of life to ourselves.

We used to support each other through thick and thin yet, America, you have forgotten this concept. You wonder why countries laugh at us. It is because we used to be the number one country in the world, and because of our own stupidity we have turned it into a joke.

I highly suggest that you, America, start waking up soon. Otherwise, I fear there will never be another opportunity.