May 2, 2025

Attending the 2025 Spokane GOP Lincoln Day Dinner was a powerful reminder of the resilience and hope that still pulse through America’s heartland. The energy in the room was electric—hundreds of patriots gathered to celebrate our shared values and recommit to the principles that built this nation. Yet, as I listened to the speakers and reflected on our country’s trajectory, I couldn’t shake a sobering truth: America is at a crossroads. The moral and cultural decay, coupled with government overreach, threatens the very foundation of our republic. But the evening also reaffirmed that we, the people, hold the power to reclaim our nation’s soul through courage, vigilance, and action.

A Night of Unity and Inspiration

The Lincoln Day Dinner was more than a political event; it was a rallying cry for those who cherish liberty. The room buzzed with optimism as speakers, from local leaders to national figures, shared stories of grassroots victories and bold plans for the future. Their words echoed Abraham Lincoln’s call to preserve the Union, reminding us that our nation’s strength lies in its people, not its institutions. I left inspired but also burdened by the challenges ahead. The enthusiasm of the evening stood in stark contrast to the troubling trends we face as a nation.

The Erosion of America’s Foundation

America was founded on principles of individual liberty, limited government, and moral virtue rooted in faith. Yet, today, we see these pillars crumbling. Secularism has replaced faith in many corners, eroding the moral compass that once guided us. Schools prioritize ideology over education, teaching children what to think rather than how to think. Meanwhile, government agencies wield unchecked power, from sprawling bureaucracies to policies that infringe on our freedoms under the guise of progress. The national debt soars, our borders remain porous, and globalist agendas seem to take precedence over American sovereignty.

These issues are interconnected, symptoms of a deeper malaise: a departure from the values that made America exceptional. As I reflected on the dinner’s themes, I realized that the speakers weren’t just lamenting these problems—they were calling us to confront them head-on. The question is not whether America is in decline but whether we have the will to reverse it.

The Danger of Complacency

One speaker’s words struck me deeply: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” This isn’t hyperbole; it’s history. Nations fall when citizens grow complacent, trusting that someone else will safeguard their liberties. We see this in the apathy of voters, the silence of those who fear speaking out, and the willingness to accept government overreach as “normal.” The Lincoln Day Dinner reminded me that complacency is our greatest enemy. Every policy, every cultural shift, every election matters because each shapes the America our children will inherit.

A Call to Action

The hope I felt at the dinner wasn’t rooted in naive optimism but in the power of collective action. The speakers didn’t just diagnose America’s problems—they offered solutions. Get involved in local politics. Hold elected officials accountable. Teach your children the truth about our history and values. Support candidates who prioritize America first. These steps, though simple, are profound. They remind us that the government serves us, not the other way around.

As I drove home, I thought about the “silent majority” the keynote speaker referenced. We are not powerless. We are teachers, parents, workers, and neighbors who can shape our communities through small, deliberate acts of courage. Whether it’s speaking at a school board meeting, voting in every election, or simply living out our values, we can rebuild the America our founders envisioned.

The Path Forward

The 2025 Spokane GOP Lincoln Day Dinner was a microcosm of America itself—flawed, hopeful, and fiercely determined. It reminded me that our nation’s future hinges on our willingness to act. We must reject the moral relativism that weakens our resolve, resist the expansion of government power, and reclaim the principles of faith, family, and freedom. The truth about America is this: we are still the land of the free, but only if we fight for it.

Let’s take the energy of that evening and carry it forward. Let’s be the generation that restores America’s greatness, not the one that watches it slip away. The stakes are too high for anything less.