Now, do not misunderstand me, America is great.

But we are fed up with being over-taxed and over-regulated. We are tired of being told how much salt to put on our food, what kind of cars we can drive, what kinds of guns we can own, what kind of prayers we are allowed to say and where we can say them, what we are allowed to do to elect political candidates, what kind of energy we can use, what doctor we can see. What kind of nation are we becoming? I fear it's the very kind the Colonists fought against.

But perhaps most of all, we are fed up because deep down we know how great America has always been, how many great things the people do in spite of their government, and how great the nation can be in the future if government will just get out of the way.

Our fight is clear. We must step up and retake the reins of our government from a Washington establishment that has abused our trust. We must empower states to fight for our beliefs, elect only leaders who are on our team, set out to remind our fellow Americans why liberty is guaranteed in the Constitution, and take concrete steps to take back our country. The American people have never sat idle when liberty's trumpet sounds the call to battle -- and today that battle is for the soul of America.

Rick Perry was the governor of Texas for nearly 15 years -- longer than any other in the state's history. He is also the country's longest continually-serving governor. Perry is the chairman of the Republican Governor's Association and is an Eagle Scout. After he graduated from Texas A&M, he became an Air Force pilot and attained the rank of captain. He was also a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 election.