Republican talking points took center stage Saturday morning at the quarterly Lancaster County ACTION breakfast meeting at Leola Restaurant.

About 100 members of ACTION, Americans for Christian Traditions in Our Nation, were in attendance to hear keynote speakers U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, who is running for re-election, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, Republican candidate for governor. Both are endorsed by the party.

Pitts and Corbett said they are concerned and worried about where the nation is headed, and spoke about too much government spending.

Corbett expressed concern about "the future of our children."

"They are leaving Pennsylvania because there are better opportunities in other states," he said. "I believe in Pennsylvania. We have to change direction."

Corbett said he wants to change the "mentality coming from Harrisburg."

He called for more government transparency and less spending, and he promised to make decisions based on Pennsylvania's best interests. "I won't worry about re-election. I will only worry about our state right now," he said, and added: "We need to assert our sovereign rights as a state under the 10th Amendment," he said, referring to challenges to the recently passed health care reform.

The line drew applause.

Also at the meeting were Republican state lieutenant governor candidates Jim Cawley and Chet Beiler and Republican Tom Garman, who is running against state Rep. Mike Sturla in the 96th House district. Cawley is the endorsed candidate, and Beiler, former Lancaster County party chairman, is running without party backing. ACTION President Bob Kettering said Beiler is "ACTION-endorsed."

Primary elections are Tuesday, May 18.

Garman, who is party-endorsed, said that while he is young and "still learning about the political process," he thinks that in the upcoming elections, "with your help, we will be able to take back Lancaster city."

Pitts, who is seeking his eighth term, spoke mostly about government spending.

"Since this administration came to power, the federal government has taken control of 51 percent of our economy," said Pitts, who will face Democratic challenger Lois Herr.

"We're going down a neo-socialism path," he said. "The things we value — freedom, democracy and capitalism — this administration is about to kill it all."

Pitts said we need not just change, but rather a "new normal."

"I also want the new normal to be Nancy Pelosi giving up her gavel, Harry Reid standing in the unemployment line, and Obama being a one-term president."

All speakers encouraged the ACTION members that the future lies in the people and how they will vote in the upcoming elections.

Pitts reminded everyone that change starts locally, and then goes national in November. "As I read the public mood, I think you'll see a turnout like never before," Pitts said.

"This group is about action, and that's what we need. Not just words, but action. This has the potential to be a good year."

ACTION member Robert William closed the ceremony by reminding the group where faith and hope for the country needs to be placed — not in government or man, only in God.

"Second Chronicles 7:14 has to be our cry: 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' That is where we must turn," William said. "That has to be our prayer."