That’s a good question. As citizens, are we willing to change? To answer that question, a short set of direct personal questions ought be asked and answered.

As individuals: Are you willing to change? Are you willing to make a choice? If you believe you are both willing to change and make a choice, the next question is, are you sufficiently courageous to start?

And lastly, if you do turn your ignition switch, get your engine in gear and go, are you committed to finishing?

Adapted from our programs Leadership Now© and PEP© (Personal Effectiveness Process), these questions are designed to ignite the individual thought process essential to real change.

It applies to each of us. It is our individual reality.

Those of us who understand and accept this reality move into position on the launch pad of change. Those who focus and apply it persistently achieve desired results in careers, business, public service and life.

This opportunity to change applies to individuals and groups, businesses and institutions, nations and states, even political parties.

Of course, those unwilling to change their thinking doom themselves and often others too. The implications of such recalcitrance can be immense for all citizens.

Here are a few snapshots, from around the nation, recapping how elected officials and political parties have changed to assertively step up to serious public policy issues and those who avoided real change preferring instead to knowingly continue playing out the same tired political scripts that actually perpetuate the problems.

In Alabama, newly installed Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and the state legislature stepped up to address illegal immigration by passing new state law that is arguably the toughest in the nation.

Alabama’s assertive action regarding direct police contact with suspected illegal persons comes on the heels of Arizona state law that cancels the business licenses of companies that knowingly employ illegal persons.

Readers may remember the first assertive action taken by the city of Hazleton, Pa., that in addition to targeting hiring illegal immigrants, also “suspends the rental licenses of landlords who knowingly and recklessly allow illegal (persons) to dwell in the landlords' property.”

The local and state actions noted above reflect the willingness and courage of Republican officials in Alabama, Arizona, and Pennsylvania to change and take action to plug the failures of federal officials to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.

Next, let’s recap a comparison of spending, taxing, and budget-busting behaviors by states.

In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie took on entrenched unions and special interest groups to curtail state spending and avoid tax increases. When attached by those adversaries and the so-called mainstream media, he did not fold as some other Republicans too often do. Instead, he pounded right back. No wonder many want him to run for national office.

In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Democrat dominated state legislature just passed the largest tax increase in the 223-year history of the state. Unfortunately for the distressed people of Connecticut, Republicans in the legislature are too few in number to be able to short-circuit the excessive spending and taxing by incumbent Democrats.

That said, it should be noted that the Republican tide that swept across the country last November was sand-bagged at Connecticut’s border. Democrats won all statewide offices plus the five U.S. Congressional District races in Connecticut. In other words, Republicans went “0 for 12” in Connecticut.

Despite the facts reflected by that election scoreboard, and the growing frustration among regular Republicans who want significant change in the Connecticut state party, some insiders insist on circling the proverbial wagons … rationalizing … shutting out the rush of reality … trying to avoid the truth … stuck in the captivity of limiting misconceptions … some spewing mind spam.

Put plainly, the most pressing challenge confronting Connecticut Republicans is that the they must change in order to assertively step up to the state’s plethora of very serious public policy issues.

Role models are out there: Christie in New Jersey and Bentley in Alabama, among others. They are showing the way of change to people in their states and around the nation. What remains is for increasing numbers of citizens everywhere to pursue proper change.

That brings us back to the original question: How can individuals change?

Again, the set of direct questions that must be asked - and answered:

Are you willing to change? Are you willing to make a choice? Are you sufficiently courageous to start? Are you committed to finish what you start?

If the Connecticut GOP is to rebound and restore founding principles in the “Constitution State,” key individuals in will have to affirmatively complete a sweep of those four questions.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at  RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.