Our nation could be changing course with the swearing in of the 112th Congress, especially with Nancy Pelosi being replaced by the New Speaker of the House, John Boehner. Ms. Pelosi caught many of us my surprise last week when she told her biggest whopper yet: "Deficit reduction has been a high priority for us. It is our mantra - pay as you go". The former Speaker needs to be thankful that her last name is Pelosi and not Pinocchio!

As we move forward as a nation, we should take time to reflect on why we are in the shape we are in. I worked for a man years ago that was a firm believer that ones attitude cannot be changed without first changing behavior. Glenn Beck told the story about a man who decided that he would change the world.

But, he wasn't successful. So he decided to change the country. But, he wasn't successful. So he decided to change his community. But, he wasn't successful. So he decided to change his street.

But, be wasn't successful. So he decided to change his family. But, he wasn't successful. So he decided to change himself and he was successful! And his family changed and they affected their street. And the people on their street affected their community. And the people of their community affected their country and the people of their country affected the world!

We blame our leaders for the problems that we are facing, but who's really to blame. If you are setting back and waiting for things to change without any personal effort or involvement, then I feel certain you are going to be very disappointed with the out come. It has been said that Thomas Edison discovered over 200 ways how not to make a light bulb! Beck started the new year by introducing "The E4 Solution." The four "Es" consist of: Enlightenment, Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. This concept is the very thing that has made America such a great nation.

I along with many others believe that the American people are waking up and realizing that we as individuals are the answer. Glenn Beck and Dr. Keith Ablow have co-written a book that should benefit us all. The book "Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life" places special emphases on seven key principals that we all should practice in each of our daily lives. Courage, Faith, Truth, Compassion, Friendship, Family, and Common Sense are clearly building blocks that we should all be building our lives upon. I truly believe that as we reaffirm our faith in God, we as a nation will set the example for our elected officials and at the same time hold them accountable for the actions or inactions, whichever the case may be.

If this great Republic is to survive as our forefathers wanted, we as a nation have many changes and sacrifices that will have to be made. The brain washing of our children through our public education system must be redirected towards why this is the greatest nation on earth. Our children must be taught that working for something will yield far more satisfaction that just giving them what they want. If you fail to teach this to your children, then we are doomed to continue down the path of government entitlements which will be a certain end to this great Republic.

As I continue through this new year with this column, I challenge you to challenge me and to not take anything I say or write at face value. Educating yourself is paramount to educating your family. So, if you believe as Minority Leader Pelosi does that "Deficit reduction has been a high priority" for our Congress, then please disregard anything I have said and continue watching the Simpsons or whatever.

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. - Thomas Jefferson -

May God Bless…

Ron Phillips