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The growing federal deficit, a decaying infrastructure, competition with China, government scandals and the death of common sense are some of the challenges facing the nation, according to William Jenkins, president of the Louisiana State University system.

Quoting everybody from Ben Franklin to Bill Cosby, Jenkins was the keynote speaker at OFBF's annual meeting.

"Because of a changing world, you've got to be astute aware and responsive to so many conditions," he said.

He warned that something has to be done to control federal spending, specifically the cost of health care.

"We use the word billion very casually," he said.

He said that the United States will soon face an economic war with China but that democracy will win at the end of the day.

"Our fundamental infrastructure needs attention and it’s costly to do that," he said.

Jenkins added that political battles are undermining the best interests of the nation and that voters need to hold politicians accountable.

"If someone's not behaving, they have to be voted out of office, and you have the power to do that," he said.

Reading a eulogy for common sense, Jenkins said common sense lost its will to live when the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than victims.

He added that because society is so litigious, he is in contact with the university's general counsel more than any other office. Ohio State University President Karen Holbrook, who was in attendance, indicated she is in a similar situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen we've got to reintroduce common sense into our world," Jenkins said.

But it wasn't all seriousness for Jenkins, who lightened the mood with humor several times throughout his speech. Joking about Louisiana's unique cuisine, Jenkins said that at Baton Rouge Zoo, every cage lists the animal's common name, scientific name, region and then a recipe.

Jenkins highlighted several leadership imperatives for Farm Bureau to follow to survive in a changing world, including integrity, persistence, flexibility, civility and respect.

"If you put fences around people in any organization, all you have is sheep," he said.

He encouraged the organization to accomplish goals that have never been achieved before and cautioned the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

"Have the courage to persist, stand for what is right and don't let anyone ever put you in a compromising position," he said.

Caption: Dr. William Jenkins speaks to delegates.