Friends and Patriots in the movement, it’s time for a reality check. The Holidays are over, 2010 is here, and we simply have no more time to talk about “doing something different next year.”
Next year is here. And it is our duty as liberty loving Americans to step up, get over our differences, and unify under realistic goals to take back control of our government.
This morning I had a brief chat with Andrew Ian Dodge via Gmail. I don’t know Andrew personally, but I’ve followed him for more than a year and I find him to be a pretty honest and articulate movement activist. Andrew and I disagree on a few points, but we see eye to eye on a very disconcerting side of the movement.
This morning Andrew published a column at Pajamas Media titled Tea Party 2010: Revolution Brewing? Or Is That Some Weak Tea?
As the nation and the tea party movement prepare for the new year, President Obama and the Democrats have been rushing forward legislation which will forever change the country and raise the deficit.
How far has the tea party movement come since the beginning of last year? A massive event occurred in Washington, D.C., on 9/12, and even greater numbers of people demonstrated all over the country to express their frustration. But ultimately, have they achieved any results? The bills have still gone through, and Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Obama have shucked aside criticisms.
While I feel that the movement has at least slowed the rate of government growth and takeover of our lives, I would have to somewhat agree that our rallies do not carry the weight we expect them to.
If we look at the last few healthcare related votes, for example, the movement slammed phone lines, email inboxes and fax machines like never before. Mass rallies were held on the very steps of the building where Congress was casting a vote on the legislation… only to be followed by passage of the bills and resounding applause by Congress over the ability to do so.
We’ve bogged down the process, but we haven’t stopped it. And I think it’s time we take a much deeper look at the mentality of Congress. This band of thugs is not moved by protests and rallies. Corrupt Senate leadership and their ilk do not make decisions based on the will of the people. Or the legality of the legislation for that matter.
Decisions are now made based on power, greed and special interest. Right now the movement has not brought significant money to the process, and we haven’t proven an ability to be effective in the electoral process.
On the second page of Andrew’s post, he writes what I see as a profound and important line.
What may have affected the development of the activists is the fact that many seemed to have been suffering under the delusion that they were “reinventing” politics at the grassroots. Politics is politics
I believe this to be very true. While we can certainly reinvent the way grassroots movements are organized, politics IS politics, and we aren’t reinventing that fact at all.
In 2010, we need to unify like never before. We need to stop thinking about revenge against a political party or trying to come up with a method to create a new party. We need to simply look at the political landscape, decide where we can be most effective, and go remove some power hungry thugs from office.
It really is that simple. And sure, in some cases we might not get the greatest candidate elected, but at this point, that shouldn’t be our focus. Our focus right now needs to be the breaking down of power held by incumbents in Washington.
No, not all incumbents. But certainly any incumbent who supported bailouts, cap & trade, TARP, government healthcare and any other legislation that does not put liberty first.
We can either spend 2010 hosting rallies and media events, and working on ways to “get back” at political parties, or we can focus on putting our energy behind a unified, strategic effort to remove these people from our government.
Perhaps there is a way to do a little of everything mentioned above, but the latter should be our primary objective.
At least… in my opinion of course.
-Eric Odom
Kathy, I agree with you. Everyone is making their own contribution, and it is a powerful movement/party.
You guys and gals already have candidates!
I may be less patient than many of us. I want a new law, and I wanted it 12 months ago.
What law could Congress pass on Jan 12 that would satisfy Americans?
Eric, This is the best post/question I have read in months. Folks there are forces out that would have the world believing the Tea Party’s are falling apart, don’t believe them. There are people who would rather we don’t come together, for then out strength is less.
We may never speak with one voice but we will keep speaking with the love of our country leading our word and work. May God Bless America and the Tea Party Movement.
I don’t really understand the idea of “taking back our country.” Nothing has substantially changed to the point of alarm or fear of socialist revolution. Only in America would people be convinced that universal health care is fascist or the government attempting to control you.
The reason why Congress isn’t listening to the Tea Party movement isn’t that they don’t care. It’s just that it represents such a small portion of the fringe right, I.E. Obama is the anti Christ and wants to take our guns.
Michael,
I don’t know if people are going to be able to wait 10 months for change.
Taxpayer Vote on spending could be proposed and co-sponsored when Congress returns Jan 12.
Who wants to be the Congressman who refuses to sign?
To those of you worried about the Tea Party movement splitting the vote, I agree it probably will. The only way for it to be stopped is to pull republican back from the brink they marched us too. Obama represents a nightmare of spending that is going to destroy our country, but he was preceded by a Republican government that also spent like crazy. financial accountability seems to be completely absent in our government from all sides. I for on will only vote for the candidate I think will stop the insanity and work with others to stop it and I don’t care what party they are a part of.
@Thorney, I’m aware that with all of the ad hoc organizing that is taking place, no plans have yet to take shape to push things further than the place they are at, which is a decentralized leaning toward flying by the seat of your pants movement. There is a lot of feel-good/motivational talk, but these guys won’t tell you what they don’t know, or aren’t willing to recognize–they don’t have the skill-sets to take it further. They’ll either have to learn how to quickly delegate or bring in people who already know the ropes. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns into another hypocritical group of wanna-bees who claim to have cornered the market on ideas and strategy, and then turn out to be nothing more than a bunch of empty suits. Watch and see.
Publius says:
January 4, 2010 at 6:48 am
I think you’re giving it a good try, but you need to be thinking bigger,
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I don’t want to be critical of good people who are obviously working very hard.
If everyone is happy with the current path, I’m OK with that.
Personally, I think it is fun to club the other side over the head. Lots of folks enjoy calling Democrats socialists!
There are probably a lot who want to go further, though. They may want Congress to get Taxpayer approval for all spending.
I wish that I had specific polls to share with everyone, but I don’t. Just my experience/intuition/things that I read/people I talk to.
I am a conservative, a registered republican, I do beleive in your cause, I have to tell you, when Obama runs again in three years I am totally frightened of us splitting the vote and taking the votes away from conservatives, more so now with the Washington Liberals pushing this Amnesty Bill! We have to really reach people! The movement needs to get more attention!
I am willing to send e-mails, talk it up, whatever. The liberals from Hollywood are constantly throwing their political agendas at us, and they get free air time. We have to take Our America that we once knew back!!
Eric, did anyone really expect that there was going to be some kind of mammoth change, BEFORE the next election cycle? From my vantage point things are working pretty well. I’m in touch with my local Tea Party group almost on a daily basis, we’re keeping up the passion index, but there will not be any true measure of the full effect until November. Well actually we’ve seen some results already in the govenor races last fall, and perhaps even in the MA senate race. Frankly I wish people weren’t getting so panicky about the urgency, that something big needs to happen right now! I think its better that we build solid long-lasting relationships from the local level up. We need to keep working the local elections, identifying good candidates and getting behind them. But let’s face it, the only real tool we have that matters is our vote, and those won’t be tabulated for another 11 months.
I’d like to see the various ‘Tea Party’ groups affiliate with each other for a greater, united front.
I’d like to see a ‘hit’ list of congress members that should be targeted for the elections this year. All House members are up for election (every 2 years). One third of all Senators (6 year terms) are up for reelection.
Lets focus and then work those applicable members to vote-out! I’m sick and tired of the elite career politicians! They’re Not representing the people.
Here in California, Pelosi, Boxer and Feinstein didn’t have any forum during their 3 weeks off during August’s recess to interact with their constituents! Pelosi did host a party of over 100 people in her San Francisco mansion and then a private tour of her vineyard in Napa Valley. She’s got to go.
Boxer is up for reelection and I believe she will be voted out.
Continue to participate in the process. This is our Country and we are empowered by our Constitution.
Dan aka wizzkids
Oh, I’d like to know when Dems are campaigning or demonstrating so we can counter demonstrate. We are much larger
in numbers.
How to organize? Look at NumbersUSA.org. Their website had amazing impact on stopping the amnesty bill from passing 2 years ago. They know how to organize! On their site, you can free fax congress, and more importantly you can look up your own congressman’s position and how they voted so YOU can decide if you want him/her in November. If THIS site was made like that, there would be one central location for all of us citizens to thoroughly scrutinize our officials’ voting records, and therefore VOTE THE BUMS OUT. We can do it!
There have been 2 editorial entries in our local pape about using combined states overriding congress. The claim is that this is a constitutioal right given to the states in case of the government taking control of,we, the citizens and our freedom. Has any effort been made, by this orgination, to explore this avenue? Would this orgaization make more progress by pushing our City Councils, County Comissioners, State Legeslators, U.S. Senators, and U. S. Representitives to combine efforts to oust the street thugs and demand laws to require a balanced national budget and other issues that would effect our individual rights? Please research this approach and inform members of the possability and how we can assist. Thank you for your effort and the research that most of do not know how to do. Barry
Publius: I’d be willing to bet that we don’t know the half of what’s going on behind the scenes. I think the organizing part of this movement is happening, but until its at the point where its going to actually work well, we’re not going to hear about all the bits and pieces.
Eric even said in one of his posts: “There are indeed efforts happening as we speak.”
I believe in CAUSES not people. The only reason for us, as legal citizens of the USA, to vote is for the issue. Let’s get away from labels and more on to HOW a candidate will accomplish his/her goals. It’s what he/she DOES after being elected that counts not how he/she looks. Since the election is won with a Majority Vote- even if we get almost eveyone to vote out the incumbunt’s and he/she is lucky enough to get 1 or 2 votes — he/she is in for another term. THE ELECTION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED DRASTICLY!!! BUT that is not the issue at hand. We need to publish a list of all the legislatures who voted for all the anti-American legislation that has passed or is up for vote. They are our target and we should find candidates to run against them and DEFEAT them. Sounds simple and we “AMERICANS CAN DO IT”. Keep it simple s…..
Third Party only takes away from Republicans. Rather, support the more conservative candidate Democrat or Republican in the primaries this year.
Swing districts, particularly in the South, or in Red States where Democrats were elected in more traditionally conservative districts, should be our targets. Along with getting rid of Reid, Dodd, and their ilk.
Have you guys looked at GOOOH (Get Out Of Our House), http://goooh.com/home.aspx, which seeks to turn over every House seat in 2010 through a process/system to identify and back candidates in each district who are not affiliated with any special interest and have the representation of the people at heart? Perhaps some collaboration with that group would serve your purpose, which you state to be the removal of the non-representative members of Congress.
And actually, I should revise my last statement. The threat of a new third party forming is a bargaining chip to force real change within the GOP. Give that up, and the deal is over, back to the arrogant, chrony-capitalism that the republicans have become known for.
Also, the movement is not the problem, the problem is that you guys need to pull together and find people who will help you achieve your goals, ie: people who are known for uniting and collaborating, if that was this is truly about.
If you’re thinking of walking away from this eventually with the thought that “it’s all the fault of the movement” guess again. there are thousands of people out there who are allied in spirit. if you lack an ability to inspire and unite them, it’s not their fault, it’s yours.
This small window of opportunity will close if the people who have started this movement squander their resources and fail to leverage talents from within, making this look much like the level of incompetence that has plagued the GOP for years.
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” –Edmund Burke
Eric, the movement needs to pull together fast, but you and your peers are not demonstrating that you have the skills, the talent, and the wherewithall to make it happen, since what you are proposing will be a MAJOR undertaking. That Wiki page that you’ve set up is an embarrassment, and lacks believability.
Is there ANYONE in your ranks who has any background in PR or Marketing? Doesn’t look like it. Seems we need more than just a few Web programmers to pull it off.
The only thing I’ve seen so far that seems to be a step in the right direction is the recruitment of Napoleto and Norquist. I don’t see how anyone else there is going to create credibility given that they are a bunch of outsiders with very little clout in Washington or with the mainstream media. I think you’re giving it a good try, but you need to be thinking bigger, and bring more people into the mix who have the skills and talent you need to make things happen. Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.
karen says:
January 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I think what all the tea party organizations need to do is get under one umbrella. Come up with the basics we want candidates to endorse, then financially support and VOTE for the candidates that come closest. Smaller government, fiscal responsibility, less regulations, lower taxes, IMPROVE the current healthcare system (open state lines, allow meds to be imported from Canada giving US companies competition, some realistic way of dealing with illegal immigrants that work here etc.)
FORGET A 3RD PARTY..
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Karen,
No one wants to fight losing battles. I have assumed that most Tea Partiers want better control over government spending. There are many on the Left who want this, as well.
It’s always tempting to load a laundry list of requirements onto candidates.
But I really believe that “the movement” is about gaining control of the House of Representatives. That’s how you stop the hemorrhaging of spending.
Many of the comments here mention the truism that “all politics are local.” Dick Armey claimed that is why Hoffman lost NY-23.
I really suggest that the Tea Party stand for something like Taxpayer Vote on spending. But then I think you need to let local politics be local.
I have been considering an idea for a tax protest that might really get the governments attention. Essentially, this is it:
Does everyone remember the 2004 documentary, “A Day Without a Mexican”? I would like to see someone organize a national “A Week Without a Responsible, Employed, Conservative.”
The average working person in this country seems to have only one purpose as far as our government is concerned, and that is to pay the bill for all the people who won’t work. Or, like illegal aliens, who take more out of the system in terms of welfare, medical care, food stamps, and etc. than they put in.
So what if a few million of us decide to take a week off work without pay? The federal government and our state governments lose our payroll taxes for that week. If we are not driving back and forth to work we won’t need to buy as much gas that week (which is heavily taxed).
This may be a way to get the attention of what we all laughingly refer to as our “representatives.” If we, the people, demonstrate to these little tin dictators that we control the purse strings, maybe they will finally represent our interests.
Please let me know if you think this idea might work. I’m interested in all comments, suggestions, and criticisms.
I agree that the way to achieve change is to focus on getting rid of those who are hurting America. I had a 6 hours drive and felt overwhelmed at what I might do to have an impact in 2010. I concluded, obviously, that the best way to help America is to support a local candidate that supports your beliefs. For me, that is Pat Toomey (R-PA) for Senate. Somebody said that all politics is local. I agree. Focus on candidates and not causes.
The rallies have been the uniting force for all of us. My guess we are 30 million strong and continue to grow. In our case we are keeping the non-patrician tea parties for issues and adding some fire fifty groups outside the tea party that will be promoting good conservative candidates. At some point we must get directly involved in the 2010 election cycle. We are forming our groups in each area across our district to educate as many voters as possible. Our members need to talk to every friend, family member and business associate they can between now and November to get the right people in office. Many voters go to the polling place uninformed and so we get the same sorry incumbent. We must find a way to break this cycle.
Contributing directly to your candidates campaign is the one way of ensuring they will get the much needed funding. They are not only fighting the Democrats war chests but the GOP’s as well. The GOP will offer their resources and financial support to a “party” candidate not to a grassroots candidate.
Please, get behind a candidate and support them with your time and money!
You folks are amazing!
I’ve been posting day and night in USA Today comments since the gas crisis last year. That’s when our government seemed to stop representing us in a big way!
I’ll try to keep this brief - Taxpayer Vote on spending.
I don’t know how the Republican party feels about this, and that worries me. Do you guys only care about tax cuts, or do you want Americans to have control over government spending?
Demand that Republicans and Democrats enact Taxpayer Vote on spending. Or run candidates for the House of Representatives who will.
The Tea Party polls very well against Democrats and Republicans.
It’s time to get this to the finish line!
Taxpayer Vote on spending holds up extremely well in “anyone welcome, real-time debates” in USA Today’s comments.
Again, you guys and gals are amazing and I’ll do whatever I can to assist a successful strategy!
Eric-
You are right on with this post and I thank you for all you have done for the Liberty/Free Market movement and continue to do in setting up your PAC and the Patriot Caucus.
I am someone who has been involved with Tea Party Patriots now since its founding and am very worried about our ability to continue to be effective. 2009 may have been about organizing and building a network, but 2010 is an election year, and we MUST be able to translate our membership lists into precinct organization so that we can be effective in elective politics. This is the year we must make it happen. We have no time to loose. If you are not aware, I encourage you to learn about the work of the Conservative Society for Action in NY, and Voices for America in OH. They are both doing great work to make sure that conservative candidates win in 2010.
Scott S. Boston
Bowling Green OH
(Scooter Blackswamp on Facebook)
Obama and his band of thugs used the Rules For Radicals Hand Book in their quest for the White House and were successful. Can that same hand book be used against the corrupt members of Congress?
[...] The movement needs to pull it together… and fast [...]
i agree with funding the party .We all know that money wins elections. We need to get organized just like the democratic party and the republicam party . If there is 30 million people supporting the tea party , we should become a powerful force and only grow from here. As it is right now ,i dont know where or which organization to send my contribution to . i know we are all like minded in our cause ,but which organization do i support, there are so many . as soon as one of the organizations start advertising on the the radio and television networks for support and contributions ,i think then all will come together as one . we need one national tea party being funded by the people so that our money can work.
I think what the rallies have done is pull people together. It made many realize that they are not alone in their views. I believe there is still use for the rallies, but to believe that they are going to stop the libs from pushing thru whatever legislation they want would be fooling ourselves. I equate this to pro-life activists that rally in front of abortion clinics. Is it going to change the law? Most likely not, but it might make a few people think, and it might encourage others to get involved if they see that they are not alone in their viewpoints. There IS power in numbers. And I believe that the tea party rallies have shown that we do have numbers. That alone is making some politicians a little nervous…
But with 2010 here, and the primaries right around the corner (in Illinois they are next month!), I agree with those who say we need to focus on getting the “bad guys” out, both locally, state-wide, and nationally. I do not think the Tea Party needs to endorse anyone, but I do think it could play a very strong role in educating voters about the candidates. And as Andrew Ian Dodge said, the real work needs to be done locally, on the gruond, in our communities, knocking on doors, or just talking about it with our neighbors. Going to candidate forums and debates and asking hard questions and sharing that information would also be a great way to keep others informed.
At this juncture, a third party may do more harm than good. It is a perception that anyone who calls themselves a true conservative is 100% committed to the tea party movement. Perception is not reality. In fact I know for certain that there are conservatives out there that have no idea what this movement is about. Those conservatives are likely to stick with tradition in the voting booth, sticking with what they know. All that will do is split the vote - and that is exactly what the libs are hoping for.
The corruption in our government was not created in a day, nor was it created in the last election. It has been there since our government was created. We can’t possibly fix it in one year, but we can possibly make a dent. And if we work together as Eric suggests, we can make a nice sized dent. But it will only be a dent, and it will only happen if we pull together. Let’s set a common goal and work towards it together. It might not come out exactly like we want it to, but I think we’ll have better results if we unite.
I do not want to claim to have all the answers or even the only answers. We must be able to put together and implement a comprehensive plan of action in order to leverage the resources the tea party movement does have to bring about the real change we need. Eric you are right in stating politics is politics. We cannot fix politics by playing according to the rules as we see them, we must change politics from within. Third parties will not work within a system that was designed for two. Here is the way I see a real solution can be had. 1. We must take over the party committees and fill tem with those of us who believe in Tea Party principles. 2. We must not fail to organize at a local level, we ave no right to complain about the White house or the State house until we can Claim the County Court house. That means local politics over National politics. without building a strong foundation we will fail in the longterm. 3. We must learn how to funnel our money towards local politics,over state and national politics and break the strnegth of encumbency. 4. Create a vetting and accountability system that can be applied at all levels so every candidate must fight for every elected position every election cycle and know they will be held accountable while in office. 5. We must begin to reeducate ourselves and the youth similtaneously in the coming years in order to register an educated voter to effect elections. 6. A system of raising money that can be distributed at a local level to qualified candidates.
If we focus on local elections to raise up future politicians and political activism to slow the deteriation and erosion of our freedoms and liberties we can make a difference by 2012. If we focus solely on national politics in 2010 we will be like building a house of cards straight up; the slightest wind will cause it to topple. If the tea parties do not create a winning stategy for 10 years or more and only focus on winning battles eventually we will run out of soldiers. Te only way to change is history is to write a new chapter.
Ever Forward
Glenn
As for the TeaParty, I don’t see any possibility of a 3rd party movement. It has unfortunately targeted the “Independent” voter. Too fickle; cannot endure.
The GOP puts up bad candidates when there are open primaries. They chase the so-called moderates rather than their own conservative grassroots, who are abandoning the party. None of this would happen if primaries were closed.
My decision is to work for closed primaries. Force the Dems and Reps to stick to their platforms, to make the best arguments they can based on facts rather than urges, to work for long-term objectives rather than seek advantage in the next election. In other words, closed primaries will get rid of plastic politics and bring back principled politics.
Eric: I am actually voluntarily working full-time for one of these conservative candidates you are talking about who is running for US Senate. He comes from the Tea Party movement and could be the “poster boy” of conservatism. You actually know who he is.
The most frustrating problem that we keep coming up against, which you have mentioned, is the lack of funding. People will spend hundreds of dollars going to DC to carry their signs, wear their shirts, and march, which makes THEM feel better, but ask them to send in money for a candidate, and they just don’t do it. AND, every group we’ve encountered thus far, will not endorse one candidate because that wouldn’t be “fair.” Isn’t this what we’re supposed to be doing? Finding a candidate to get behind, and get him/her elected? I just do not get it.
Coordinate a candlelight vigil, and you have a big turnout. Ask people to show up to their senator’s office and protest, you get a crowd. Ask people to get behind ONE candidate and help fund their campaign to get them to DC, not so much.
VERY disheartening and frustrating!
Thank you for this reality check! I hope people listen and take action.
We do still need to have the rallies, even if it appears they have no effect. I do believe they have an effect. The politicians do see them, even if they act like they don’t, and more important the people who agree with the tea partiers, but who aren’t yet involved, will continue to see more and more people united and just may get motivated to get involved. And the tea party has gotten a lot more respect lately. And while I do agree about the “politics is politics”, we most certainly can affect that. Believe it. We’ve certainly affected the GOP.
It may be time to focus on State governments to have them declare what the Federal Government is doing “Unconstitutional”. It’s not just the Democrats/Socialists. The Republicans are just as guilty. It’s time for the states to step up and state what they deem to be “Unconstitutional” and state that the Federal Government ignores the Constitution at the risk of keeping the Union whole. The states could perhaps even go to the point of declaring whole Federal Agencies “Unconstitutional” and make it known that they are no longer welcome to operate in the state. I realize that this is extremely hardball but the fact is the Federal Government has ignored the Constituition for quite some time. A good starting point would be to look at what the Federal Government looked like in 1910 or so. Just some thoughts.
One more thing I forgot! This will be what I will say this year! We always need to remember to ALWAYS return to our OBJECTIVE! And that right now is to replace those who need to be replaced in Congress! Next of course obama! And if those people fail us after being voted in, then we begin all over again. Right now is our window and door of opportunity! 2010 is here!
“In 2010, we need to unify like never before. We need to stop thinking about revenge against a political party or trying to come up with a method to create a new party. We need to simply look at the political landscape, decide where we can be most effective, and go remove some power hungry thugs from office.
It really is that simple. And sure, in some cases we might not get the greatest candidate elected, but at this point, that shouldn’t be our focus. Our focus right now needs to be the breaking down of power held by incumbents in Washington.
No, not all incumbents. But certainly any incumbent who supported bailouts, cap & trade, TARP, government healthcare and any other legislation that does not put liberty first.
We can either spend 2010 hosting rallies and media events, and working on ways to “get back” at political parties, or we can focus on putting our energy behind a unified, strategic effort to remove these people from our government.”
Right NOW is our door of opportunity in this phase of things. 2010 is here now! Things are rolling! Focus everyday on what is important! Throw out our own set of conservative political correctness within our ranks. Throw out our own pork in the party of whoever we are that keeps us from focus. Focus on the MOST important things at hand! Keep conservative schizophrenia out! Get behind those candidates NOW that are lined up to take the place of those that didn’t listen. And RIGHT NOW Scott Brown is the first that we need to get behind! He’s the one who can replace Ted Kennedy’s seat! I am very new to all of this but I believe January 19th just around the corner we have a chance to help him take over a deciding vote in Congress to unlock the stranglehold! It’s not just about Scott Brown of course but in a few days is our very first chance of CHANGE! Scott Brown Massachusetts should be our focus right now! Am I wrong? Then….next!!!
Eric,
The Tea Party Movement is maturing. None too soon as our time is short if we are to achieve the common sense doctrine of returning our government to the people.
While the Republican Party has been heavily criticized for becoming part of the problem, many in leadership do understand the need for reform and putting the party back on track to returning to its conservative roots of smaller government, lower taxes, and a strong national defense. These were the goals that served the party and the nation well as the economic prosperity that resulted from the Reagan years tripled the GDP and allowed Americans across the county to improve there lives.
Just as the conservative movement started with Barry Goldwater and came of age with Reagan, the Tea Party movement can return the party to its roots. Much of the work already has been done. There is more to do. The Republican Party needs your energy and commitment in order to complete the task.
As Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party and Treasurer of the RNC, I stand ready to work with the Tea Party orgainizers on reaching our common goal.
Use them locally and/or support local candidates. Its pretty clear that all the rallies in DC did very little and were quite frankly ignored by the politicos. They make great TV and flatter people’s egos.
You do far more supporting conservative candidates on the ground.
If I know a local candidate who is running for office, and I KNOW his or her voting record agrees with my ideals, I will ote for that person.
If I find out where the next BIG tea party will be, I’ll be there. Please,Eric, keep us up to date on where we will
have the next tea party, because our numbers are growing with every one.
Platform the candidates can sign off on? I am for orgnanizing neighborhoods for the caucus process to better make our voices heard within BOTH parties.
Icaucus http://www.ourcaucus.com) has an excellent plan. Their questionaire is a little long but works.
My main concern is not the manufactured crisis and the legislation involved. Whoever says that this legislation will change America forever is sooo wrong.
We still have the right to repeal any law. It’s called Tort Reform.
Areas I think need to be addressed are:
Stop the confiscation of our wealth before we use it, repeal the 16th amendment and pass the FairTax legislation with no exemptions, deductions, subsidies etc. where our tax code chooses winners and losers. We can cut the legs out from under all class warfare rhetoric with one simple tax on New Retail + prebate check to every American according to family size (we already have 90% of that data under our present system). Repeal all payroll withholding giving all employees an immediate 7.6% raise + the prebate check.
Our greatest danger to sink into socialism is our poor economy. It happened before in the 1930’s. We lurched left again in 2008.
You want to invigorate the economy and get businesses hiring again? Broaden the “margin” Income - Overhead = Margin (Net)
Decrease the overhead by releasing businesses from any income and capital gains taxes! Make America a “safe haven” for investment and income. Bring back the 1 trillion in overseas accounts.
Tax the underground economy. This legislation has so many upsides, yet people still succumb to misinformation about it.. Go to http://www.fairtax.org and read the facts.. Freedom is based on prosperity. We must change the relationship between our people and our government, introducing choice back into our tax code is the single most important step we can take to accomplish this.
Gary Vincent “Father” O’Malley
I think what all the tea party organizations need to do is get under one umbrella. Come up with the basics we want candidates to endorse, then financially support and VOTE for the candidates that come closest. Smaller government, fiscal responsibility, less regulations, lower taxes, IMPROVE the current healthcare system (open state lines, allow meds to be imported from Canada giving US companies competition, some realistic way of dealing with illegal immigrants that work here etc.)
FORGET A 3RD PARTY..
Don’t give up on rallies-if they see that it is a movement that has staying power, they will eventually listen. They are waiting to see if we give up, and we can’t or we lose all around!
“if we of the Tea Party have limited funds, do we use the funds to attend for example the next Tea Party rally in D.C. or do we use the limited funds to donate to conservative candidates for the upcoming election?”
Use them locally and/or support local candidates. Its pretty clear that all the rallies in DC did very little and were quite frankly ignored by the politicos. They make great TV and flatter people’s egos.
You do far more supporting conservative candidates on the ground.
I am particular concerned about Obama’s health care bill. I am 64 on the threshhold of receiving Medicare, and my husband has Medicare. This is a very scary situation. I am also concerned about the cap and trade bill. Basically, everything that Obama has proposed is upsetting. It seems that the United States is becoming up side down.
Ben Nelson’s receiving his “Thirty Pieces of Silver” to buy his vote is a case in point with your comments in your article.
@Toni, without question… you should give it to candidates.
@cehwiedel, we launched http://libertyfirstpac.com and are starting to endorse and support candidates. We’ve also launched the Patriot Caucus to build a fifty state network of boots-on-the-ground activity for 2010 and beyond.
There are indeed efforts happening as we speak.
I wrote an email to Andrew and CC’d you. I am asking you both to be specific about what to do to “focus on putting our energy behind a unified, strategic effort to remove these people from our government.”
That sounds good, but you have to keep in mind that most of the Tea Party folks are new to politics; I was. I met people in the R party, in the state legislature and they TOLD ME what to do; I didn’t even know what to ask.
I sent you 2 emails about folks getting into their County Excecutive Committees (Democratic or Republican): That’s where they can start. Gives them a voice, an intro and access to the process, to working for canidates, etc.
Thanks
Thorney
Funny on this Sunday morning my husband and I were saying exactly what you just wrote. We were discussing Mark Kirk in a heated discussions. I say no Kirk but my husband says he has the name recognition
and this may be our chance to get a republican in a pretty solid democratic state. So I have allot of thinking to do.
But I do hate to have to vote again for someone I don’t think will be a conservative senator. What to do ??
Eric, my question to you then….if we of the Tea Party have limited funds, do we use the funds to attend for example the next Tea Party rally in D.C. or do we use the limited funds to donate to conservative candidates for the upcoming election?
Eric: somebody needs to offer direction, your “unified, strategic effort” backed by particular tactics. I have been pushing “go local, go vocal” because five people at a city council meeting make a bigger splash than 250,000 marching on Washington. Ten people showing up at a Congressional District office makes a bigger sound than filling an email inbox or voice mail box. If your House rep is on the side of small government, show up at the District Office, take a photo of a staff member accepting your donation check. Post that photo (captioned) online. Submit the photo for publication in local newspapers. Make it into a flier and pass it out at meetings of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Women’s Club, and others. If your House rep supports the Nanny State, show up at the District Office, take a photo of a staff member listening to you explain why the check in your hand is made out to that rep’s political opponent. Post THAT photo… This kind of political action is within the reach of everyone.
Ah, sometimes you have to have sympathy for Moses, trying to lead God’s people. But at least he had them all in one place, right?
You know there’s a problem when 15,000 people show up to a rally but don’t go vote in the next day’s election, and then 20 show up to a “get involved” training.