By Dr. Harold Pease
Thank you fellow Tea Party Patriots who in 2009 demonstrated your commitment to the United States Constitution, the Founding Fathers, and to those principles that made us the freest and wealthiest land on the earth: limited government, fiscal responsibility and the free market. We assembled to protest the abandonment of that sacred document and these inspired principles it protects.
The Tea Party movement expressed itself most fully last April 15, when nearly 800 cities throughout the land demanded that both political parties stop the insane spending that was taking our children and grandchildren into massive debt before they were even born. Over a million gathered in the capitol alone. In Bakersfield the number exceeded 3,500. At no time in U.S. History was there a greater, more universal, and more grass roots outpouring of populous sentiment and anger toward both parties than on that single day. Millions gathered with the same message: slow down! The sky is not falling. What is right in America is still accessible.
Millions gathered again July 4th in a similar number of cities, and again on Sept 12 when at least 200 cities (23 in California) expressed contempt for lawmakers so willing to abandon our core values. These were smaller and fewer groups because so many joined the Tea Party Express assembling in Sacramento and eventually making her way through 33 cities becoming stronger as she went, landing 1.6 million angry patriots on the steps of the capitol on that same day. The message was crystal clear: return to the Constitution, limited government fiscal responsibility and free market solutions or resign. Let us not overlook the countless phone calls, emails and faxes we sent to legislators and others demanding a return to our core values.
In the meantime, last May our members successfully expressed themselves opposing irresponsible propositions in California. Nationally we comprised the majority in over 200 Town Hall meetings in August, voicing opposition to members of Congress on National Health Care. Not one of these 200 Town Hall meetings favored government takeover of healthcare. We were the strength and numbers behind the Town Hall Movement.
Moreover, it was Tea Party Patriots who rushed to help eliminate the Democratic supermajority in Congress by taking on Massachusetts, the mother state of National Health Care and of Ted Kennedy, the Father of socialized medicine. This victory sapped the strength of those who had so blatantly disregarded the will of the people.
We have become a source to be reckoned with as we return to our basics. The sleeping giant has awakened. America desperately needs what we have to say before it is too late. It’s about liberty. Together Tea Party Patriots and 9/12 Project participants will return this nation to its core values.
Let us not be divided by political bickering. We will need all our strength in 2010 as we stop yet another stimulus bill (a.k.a. “Jobs Bill”), Cap and Trade, and Law of the Sea, each of which violates core values. In California we must get water to our farmers and ranchers in the Central Valley. Turn on the pumps and do so now! We must also join with the 35 other states placing an amendment in their state constitutions asserting that the federal government has no authority to tell states and their citizens to buy health insurance. Finally, we must rescind the ERAF legislation enabling Sacramento to rob money from counties, cities and special districts to balance their budget. There is much to do! Let’s make 2010 another great year for getting back to our basics.