To the editor:

Sheik Rashid, founder of Dubai, was asked about the future of his country. He said, “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover and my grandson will ride a Land Rover, but my great grandson will have to ride a camel again.”

Hard times create strong men, strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men, weak men create difficult times. The historical reality is that all great empires — Persian, Trojan, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and British — all rose and perished within 240 years. They were not conquered by external enemies; they rotted from within.

The United States has passed the 240 year mark and the rot is visible and accelerating. The greatest generation consisted of young men storming the beaches of Normandy. Today, they want to hide in safe rooms when their feelings are hurt. More and more people want free stuff from the government because they feel entitled to it.

We are past the Mercedes and Land Rovers. Camels are on the horizon.

Adam Kern

Woodstock