National challenges will require some special leadership

We enjoy retired teacher Helen Ruth Arnold's occasional contributions, including the one on this page recalling England's resolve to "keep calm and carry on" during the dark days of World War II.

On this 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our nation is a far cry from facing threats like Hitler, but our fiscal and economic challenges will take a similar determination to resolve.

We unfortunately are finding ourselves more and more polarized, both on the state and national level, and reaching compromises that are both effective and acceptable enough to be enacted into law is becoming more and more difficult.

It takes special leadership, no matter which side of any issue, to be effective and yet withstand criticism by those who hold more extreme views and now have a louder voice, thanks to new online media.

We trust that leadership exists, and those who possess it will continue to respond to the call of duty. The future of our nation depends on them and our collective resolve to "keep calm and carry on."

Key to our ability to respond to national challenges is our freedom of expression.

How well do you know your First Amendment rights and other freedoms as an American?

Log in to http://1forall.us/ and take the Great First Amendment Quiz, a 20-question online test of your "Freedom IQ." It's sponsored by the American Society of News Editors, USA Today and others in celebration of their 1 for All First Amendment campaign.