Author Doug DeVos Says American Dream Can Thrive With Collective Effort

WASHINGTON — As the United States approaches its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, questions about the nation’s future abound, with many Americans expressing concern about whether the country is in decline. In an op-ed adapted from his new book, “Believe! A Timeless Endorsement of American Principles,” author Doug DeVos addresses these concerns, asserting that while America is not declining, it is drifting and needs renewed focus to thrive.

DeVos notes that for the first time in recorded history, fewer than half of Americans believe the best days lie ahead. Surveys indicate that four out of five Americans think their children will have worse lives than they do, a figure that has doubled over the past two decades. Additionally, many worry that future generations will be worse off than those before them.

Despite these sentiments, DeVos rejects the notion of decline. Instead, he describes the nation as drifting—lacking a firm connection to the foundational ideas that shaped the American experiment and the American Dream. He warns that this drifting, while not equivalent to decline, poses significant risks.

“America was never meant to drift,” DeVos writes. “America is supposed to courageously move forward, lifting up our people and leading our world.”

He emphasizes that America remains the strongest country globally by many measures but acknowledges that the nation is not progressing toward its full potential. The solution, he argues, lies in remembering and recommitting to the core principles that have historically driven American success: belief in people, free enterprise, the family, accountability, and human dignity.

DeVos stresses that overcoming current challenges and divisions requires every generation to apply these principles. He also highlights the role of individual citizens, stating that the responsibility to restore the nation’s direction does not rest solely with politicians or leaders but with all Americans.

“We can’t wait for someone else to save America,” he writes. “The real leaders in this country are you and me and all our fellow citizens.”

The op-ed, published by Fox News on November 25, 2025, serves as a call to action for Americans to actively participate in shaping the country’s future as it marks a significant milestone in its history.