By the time I traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a few weeks ago, the initial sheen on President Barack Obama’s presidency had long ago tarnished. For certain, he has not exactly been the next Robert Kennedy or returned our nation to the storied era of John F. Kennedy’s Camelot years.

Still, when I walked the dirt streets of the African capital city, young men in the markets would approach me and ask my lone white face where I was from. My simple answer: “America.”

“Obama for Hope and Change!” many shouted back with smiles. I hadn’t heard that phrase since about the time the oil started leaking from the BP oil wells. I looked at one teenage vendor in eye and told him, “Maybe your son can be president of United States.” (Obama’s father was from neighboring Kenya, something not lost on so many in Africa.)

That’s when I realized that despite all of our country’s challenges, America still represents the land of hope and dreams around many parts of the world.

The day after I returned home, I met with Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3). (Ironically, his nephews are from Ethiopia.) We discussed the many problems we currently face on these shores: shortening life expectancy, lack of energy policy funding terror against America and Israel, and our weakening educational system.

Mr. Sarbanes told me that we didn’t need to be number one in the world in everything, but we had to offer a strong quality of life.

I don’t disagree with that statement. And, I also think that it’s important that we continue to inspire others and other nations along these lines: you can achieve anything if you dream it.

Despite our woes, the rest of the world still believes that’s possible in America. Why shouldn’t we?