My parents immigrated to the United States with $10 in their pocket and a belief that the America they had heard about really did exist as the land of opportunity.

Growing up, I had a front row seat to seeing two people work really hard. My dad scrubbed toilets at a private Catholic school for a while and that was to help me get through school.

Regardless of the difficulties we may face individually, in our families, in our communities and in our nation, the old adage is still true - you can make excuses or you can make progress, but you cannot make both! The America I know doesn't make excuses.

The Democrats have come right out and said it: the power of the central government shall have no limits at all.

Hard work and education will take you farther than any government program can ever promise.

So the America I came to know growing up was filled with all the excitement and possibilities found in living the American dream.

Difficult things aren't easy, but they're worth it.