by Emily Lewy
Tea Party goals of limited government, personal responsibility and balanced budgets are the same as my goals. I long ago declared myself an “Independent” because both major political parties continue to expand government, provide relief from personal responsibility for both individuals and business, and spend taxpayer money like drunken sailors.
Nancy Pelosi, God bless her soul, provided the very best evidence yet for limiting the power of the federal government. She cajoled members of Congress into passing a law that can control our lives without bothering to know what they were doing. Unknown lobbyists and bureaucrats will fill in the blanks and interpret the meaning of regulations. Elected officials have confessed that they are impotent when it comes to dealing with the complexities of health care, education, taxation and the myriad of issues included in the Health Care Bill. Clearly, such power should not be wielded by persons so far removed from the people.
Our Constitution strictly limits authority of the federal government. Yet, that federal authority has been expanded to control the states and the lives of individuals.
We, the people, have, over the last hundred years, placed trust in those who could not be trusted. Laws and regulations are so numerous and convoluted that only experts can interpret them. The trust has gone.
In this last election, some candidates who campaigned to eliminate earmarks now claim that eliminating earmarks is irresponsible. They lie and their lies must be exposed.
The mission of the Tea Party is to return to Constitutional limitations on government. We are a free people —not slaves working for the benefit of government, begging permission for our every act, and being grateful that we are cared for.
Our goals will not be attained overnight. In due time, we will be successful by shining the light on both political parties and those entities that control them.
If you prefer individual freedom and personal responsibility to being cared for (controlled) by government, you might want to join the Dahlonega Tea Party. We meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM in the meeting room of Magical Threads, 315 Church Street, Dahlonega. The “Fair Tax” will be discussed at the November 16 meeting.
Emily: As you know, I have much respect for your thinking and much appreciation for your community service. I am, however, having a difficult time drawing a connection between your encouraging persons to join the tea party and the sense of community service and the common good that I normally see reflected in positions you take on issues. Elvin
I’m disappointed you have chosen to identify with the tea party. While there is something to be said for the ideals expressed by the somewhat amorphous gathering of people who call themselves the tea party, there are nasty and irrational sides to their beliefs as well.
The tea party speaks for “real Americans” by which they mean small town and rural white voters of western European decent. That’s nice but don’t the rest of us count too? When I was growing up we were taught that America was a melting pot and for it the nation was a sum greater than its parts.
As to the “Fair Tax,” there is a conservative economics professor at NGCSU who says that the figures as set out by advocates such as Neal Boorst simply don’t add up. While the simplicity of a national sales tax is appealing, it appears that this is more about shifting the burden of taxation to the lower middle class. (As with state sales tax the less wealthy among us would actually pay a higher tax rate than the wealthy)
The tea party claims to be working for smaller government and less goverment intervention in our private lives. This leaves me puzzled as I hear a number of those who identify themselves with the tea party talk about using the power of the state to inflict their personal and religious values on all citizens. I don’t see the tea party standing up for gay people who want to serve their nation in our armed forces.
Finally, if you really are for smaller, less intrusive government there has been a party around for years that really makes these principles its primary theme. Its called the Libertarian Party.
You say “We, the people, have, over the last hundred years, placed trust in those who could not be trusted.” Yet in this same time period our nation became the richest and strongest nation on the face of the earth. Before government became more involved in promoting the general welfare practices such as diluting babies milk with chalk water were common.
Without government protection we will find multinational corporations will control our lives. After the recent collapse of wall street we learned that in the face of a lack of regulation we all suffer.
Finally, from a bumper sticker: “If you really don’t like taxes or government move to Somalia”. Yes, a little hyperbolic, as most
bumper stickers are apt to be, but the point has merit.
It is truly disappointing that you know so little about the Tea Party movement. The liberal media have chosen to widely distribute slanderous information that is actually believed by many like you.
I go to many different sources for information including those dedicated to promoting the views of each major political party. A lot of blatantly false information is published by the public media in addition to that sent out over the internet.
Tea Party groups are found in rural areas and cities of every state. Our membership includes citizens of many ethnic backgrounds who value freedom from government restriction even more than we value government protection.
Just as you do not support the views of every individual in every group that you are associated with, Tea Party members do not support the views of every member of the Tea Party. There probably are some nutty members. I am unaware of any anti gay sentiment within the Tea Party; however, both major political parties have at some point held anti gay positions. As a matter of fact, I joined the Tea Party because I am disgusted with both major political parties using the power of the state to inflict their personal and religious view on all of us. The use of political correctness has got to stop.
Your recommendation that folks like me should join the Libertarian Party is interesting. Both major parties have conspired to prevent any third party taking hold in this country.
A Democrat controlled legislature and courts conspired to keep me off the ballot as an Independent. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the Secretary of State has discretion as to what information must be provided to a candidate even though the Ga Code requires that all information be provided. The decision was so atrocious that the following year the legislature passed a bill requiring the specific information denied to me and others would now be provided to all candidates.
Now that Republicans control state government don’t expect them to make it easier for third party candidates. Neither major party in this country wants competition.
A very strong but loosely organized Tea Party will have the advantage of being able to challenge both major parties on the issues and on their votes. We will be well informed; and we will shine the light on issues we are concerned about. We will not be bought off like the media; and we will not be looking for special favors like your usual lobbyist.
Once you get the facts, you just might want to join a Tea Party!
Emily
The Tea Party may be the answer to my prayers, Elvin. I sincerely believe these folks and I have the same goals. They are committed to obtaining factual information on issues and taking a position on them. I believe these are the folks who will attend meetings and make certain the voice of the people is heard.
Much false information is being spread about the Tea Party. You know, anyone can say anything about you without regard to whether it is so. The attacks make it clear that a lot of different groups fear our potential for success.
I do not think it is possible for the federal government to carry on all the duties assumed at that level and be in any way responsible to the people. Our form of government needs to be closer to us. As it is now, the people are powerless and they have no hope of making a difference.
The Tea Party is hope…that working together we will be heard. Getting rid of earmarks is very important to us. How can anyone possibly justify taking money from the whole country and then doling it out to chosen “special interests?”
Elected officials and lobbyists control us by divide and conquer. They set us up to distrust one another. They highlight differences and exploit them. We have to get “the people” talking together. You will enjoy a Tea Party meeting!