"New Year Resolutions"

For those of you who made a New Year's resolution to finally lose weight, bad news. I've got it on good authority there's a soft, creamy, incredibly moist and velvety Twinkie just waiting for you. It's calling out your name like a cold beer on a hot night. For those who have vowed to stop smoking and have already been successful five times in the past 24 hours, bad news. There are 52,000 legitimate excuses available to let you put those trembling, nail bitten fingers around a firm, sleek, filtered cigarette; touch it magically with a dancing little flame; watch the warm glow and feel the soothing, smooth flow of euphoric calmness streaming magically through your entire blood system.

And for those who of you who have invested in the latest piece of exercise equipment that's guaranteed to do most of the work for you while you become the envy of the neighborhood, I've got more bad news. The resale value at your very next yard sale (most likely coming in February when you get a guilt complex just looking at it) will be exactly five to ten percent of its original cost.

Look, setting goals and making resolutions to improve our physical state are fine, but I think we ought to be making some other resolutions too. How about this, resolve to GET INVOLVED. Great slogan! "Resolve to Get Involved". Gather 'round the family and chant it for five minutes before slamming down dinner so you can watch the WWF with the little ones.

Seriously folks, this is one of the most important things you can do. We've got to stop counting on somebody else changing the system. We've got to resolve to get involved in any way possible. There are small, vocal groups of brain-dead people out there deciding the laws for the silent majority. It's time to scream, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" What to do? I'll tell you, because it's so simple. We just use the same tactics as they do.

#1-If you have access to a computer, the name of every elected official that represents you is a click of the mouse away. Resolve to get involved by adding those names to your Favorite addresses on the web. You can find most of them at www.magnoliareport.com. I know you're busy, but for the sake of your family, make a concerted effort. Even if you don't have a computer, the names are readily available, so send out at least one letter a month. One short telephone call to the politician's office. One letter to the editor a year. Come on folks. If you knew how much this influenced lawmakers, you'd be amazed. You have the power, you just need the resolve.

#2-Read and listen. Read as many newspapers as you can and listen to talk radio. If there is an issue that you strongly agree or disagree with, do something. If you take the same old attitude that it's hopeless, then it is! The other side doesn't do that. Look at PETA. They've got a washed-up stripper, $1.55 poster board and a Magic Marker. Look how far that goes. Now, I'm not asking you to get naked, I'm just asking you to get involved.

#3-Don't be shy about voicing your opinion. Remember, from the President of the United States to the local dog catcher, THEY WORK FOR YOU! It's not the other way around. This may come as a surprise to some of their office staff, but they are not doing YOU a favor by answering the phone.

#4-Be a Mover and a Shaker. If you're dissatisfied with your elected official, don't just sit there and take it like a wimp. Seriously consider running for the office. If that's out of the question, here's what you do. Get an informal gathering together and list several very good candidates. Nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING, starts the "Hail to the Chief" music playing in the subconscious like a group of people asking you to run for public office.

I remember last year when we were discussing this very topic on the show. One lady called in totally exasperated with the "system". She was at her wit's end with all the shenanigans from the legislature and she wanted to do something but the task was too overwhelming. I agreed with her. She was trying to eat the whole elephant in one sitting. You can't. I told her to take one bite at a time. And if everybody joined in...well. You know the damage a bunch of good Ole boys can do in just a couple of hours on one good size elephant buffet. Take one bite at a time; one phone call; one letter; one email. It doesn't matter if you're liberal or conservative, democrat or republican, white or black, male or female. You need to resolve to get involved because your "body of government" needs to be whipped in shape too.

Finally, sit down with your kids. Talk to them about politics. Get them involved in a campaign or on a particular issue. Let them know how important involvement is to freedom. Hey, you never know. You may nurturing the next President of the United States of America. Don't let your kids get their first taste of political fever from some left-wing, liberal, communist sympathetic, sex-crazed, bow-tied, PETA hugging, Cornell educated professor who even leans to the left even when he stands up to walk. Do it right now: resolve to get involved.

Paul Gallo

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