A Tale of the Two Tea Parties
One Liberty Restoration Project member’s take on the tea party from last year and this year:
The Kansas City Tax Day Tea Party celebrated at the Community America Ballpark this past April 15 was completely transformed from last years tea party…and not in a good way. This years tea party seemed more like an organized, statist political rally unlike the organic, quite spontaneous, tea party rally from last year that I attended at Liberty Memorial.
There were a few reasons I had my reservations about attending this years tea party. First, this tea party was commercially advertised for months in advance. Second, if you wanted to have a table to help promote your organization, your cause, or yourself as a politician, you were charged $50. They also had suites available for those who were better off and could afford the upward cost of $350.00. Third, the tea party was held at a ballpark in the outskirts of western Kansas City, KS. How does having it in a confined area, such as a ballpark, help get the message the speakers were discussing out to the masses? You were literally in a bowl. And last, most of the people in attendance were fans of Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. I’m sorry, but Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin’s views are opposite of those from which the original tea parties were started from. The Anti-FED, Anti-War, Anti-Left/Right Paradigm, Pro Sound Money, Pro Freedom, and Pro Individual stance originated from Ron Paul’s grassroots movement is where the original tea party started.
I went with the hopes of reaching a few new people to understand that taking on the Federal Government is the incorrect way to reach the change that they are seeking. Yes, I understand that the Federal Government has grown well beyond it’s limits, however, as Lysander Spooner puts it – “the Constitution has either authorized such a government as we have had or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is unfit to exist. “ Our mission then is to work on the local/state level and get the individuals in those offices to say NO to the federal government and work within the city’s/state’s own limits and power to take care of itself. Rallies once a year are great, but what are the tea party people doing the other 364 days a year to fight for liberties and freedoms in their own backyard?
The statist mentality at the tea party was almost overwhelming. I don’t believe that the people in attendance were ignorant by any means, I just think that they’re uneducated in certain areas. You can not be a libertarian and be pro-war. That is an oxymoron. You cannot fix a completely broken system, simply by saying no more taxes. There is not left or right paradigm, just as there’s no real difference between Coke or Pepsi. Voting in candidates as individuals who stand for freedom and liberty is one way to address getting the change you are seeking. However, the easiest way to take on big issues, is by starting on your city, county, state, level YOURSELF. Be pro-active in an issue. Keep your eye out for legislation up for a vote in your city council or by an entire city vote and make sure you take it on if it’s against what liberty stands for. ANY issue. I know many people that are rallying behind the freedom to vote for your local judges, legalize cannabis, ending eminent domain, putting at stop to the surveillance state, making sure no more taxes are raised on a local/state level, etc. People need to get out their and find an issue or two that they are passionate about and go fight for it!! Gather people together to protests, have weekly/monthly meetings about strategies for getting your issue voted on the way that you’d like to see it voted on. Go talk to your local city representatives, talk to your state representatives, state senators, and police department. Let them know that you’re a part of a group of peaceful people who just want to bring about a change towards liberty in your area. Localize, Harmonize, Educate, Active. Make your voice heard LOCALLY, because in the end, it will be heard NATIONALLY.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Tea Parties need to demand TERM LIMITS & ACCOUNTABILITY.
The Tea Parties are all starting to endorse and or recommend candidates all over the country.
And, I think that is GREAT.
However, we are getting HAD!
The guy that may have been our 1st Victory, in MASS, has already come out for some very shady – NON CONSTITUTIONAL stuff – it only took a few weeks!
Almost all the Tea Parties and their members know that without Term Limits we will NEVER stop the “career politicians” and the POLITICAL POWER that they live & thrive on!
We will NEVER get “citizen representatives” if we allow the political power thing to thrive.
One of the most important things we are ALL looking for in a candidate is ACCOUNTABILITY.
Without it; ANY candidate can tell us “Whatever we want to hear” and do “Whatever is best for HIM”!
There can be no doubt that the Tea Party groups now wield a lot of influence.
Politicians of every type in all the parties KNOW that we are going to be HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL in making some changes that will better our country (and hurt their political power).
And, they are doing everything in their power to DEFUSE us.
We can really help a candidate.
But, SHOULD WE if he doesn’t help us?
Is there anything wrong with DEMANDING something from him?
I think we should ALL get together and DEMAND that any candidate SIGN something that says he will support both TERM LIMITS and ACCOUNTABILITY.
Why can’t he sign something that CLEARLY STATES what he believes and how he will vote on several key issues?
I think ALL of us want our elected representative (and the non-elected ones too) to follow the CONSTITUTION.
Perhaps he could sign something that says he will not vote for anything that is unconstitutional. And, if there is any question about it he will TELL US in WRITING where it is allowed, or not allowed, in the Constitution.
Someone may say that this is asking too much.
I say BALONEY!
It is NOT too much – to ask for accountability if WE are going to endorse this person to represent us (and give him the keys to our purse & our lives).
One thing is for sure: If he will not support Term Limits & Accountability I DON’T TRUST HIM with anything!
Would YOU have any reason to trust someone that won’t COMMIT to these things?