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What I Learned From the Tea Party

When Sarah , Leslie and I  held the first tea party in San Diego, California on February 27, 2009 I had no way to know all the things I would learn about politics from that day on to the present day. People from all political philosophies and every demographic took part on that day to tell Washington DC enough is enough. The straw that broke the camels back for us was the $780 billion dollars, which we now know is more like $862 billion dollars, Stimulus Bill that passed at the beginning of the year in 2009. We were outraged and frustrated with a government machine that was out of control. As a long time Republican I was even more outraged by the lack of fiscal conservatism I saw from all places in government and by a myriad of Republican elected officials. What I never saw coming was that I was to become far more open minded politically than I was in the beginning. I would have never considered voting outside Party lines before the tea party but now not only do I consider it I just re-registered to vote as a non-partisan voter.

I have realized that we were nine months into the tea party rallies and activities and not only did I not know the political parties people who attended rallies belong to, but they didn’t know mine. I suddenly realized that this no longer mattered, that what truly mattered were the principles and values that built this Nation into the best country in the world.  All the events and everything we do in our tea party groups, locally and nationally is non-partisan, as it should be. Over the past 2 ½ years I have come to recognize the good representatives from the not so good. A few of those really good, fiscally conservative elected are actually Democrats, Blue Dog Democrats. Although this is a dying breed in Washington it still exists and Jason Altmire is a good example of a man who weighs the consequences fiscally before voting. Frankly, I like that.When we first started this movement I was looking for any reason to still believe in the political Party I had joined many, many years before, the Republican Party. I wanted so much to believe that if we got “good” Republicans elected we could really change things in American and get back to our conservative roots. I honestly believed that the Republican Party in my city would embrace the tea party as the cavalry come to the rescue. What I actually lived was a Party that keeps going further into its addiction of spending and the everlasting grab for power. If there was ever a doubt, the lateral move of John Boehner becoming Speaker of the House has further shown us all that spending and un-kept promises cuts both ways through both parties. I have seen tea parties battling the Republican Party to remain autonomous from San Diego to Cincinnati. I have seen those that espouse true conservatism publicly while, privately plot against a citizenry that comes to lend a hand.

Actually registering to be a non-partisan voter was very liberating. I asked myself if this were a company I worked at and I saw the kinds of back room deals and blatant disregard for the workers voices to be heard would I stay. I said “probably not”. If this were a club I belonged to and I saw the intolerance for the other club members and even incidents of sabotage of those members would I stay a member of that club? Again,“No way”. So why do I stay a member of a political party that is in fact doing these things to its members? Well, I then had my answer, “I am not!”. I believe if we can get people to see that it truly is “Principle over Party” than we could have great debate about the issues we agree on such as fiscal stability. If we look for good, competent people who think outside the lines of weighed down political power and extremism we could actually build an even more solid form of government for the people, by the people. We have been brain washed to believe that those in government somehow know better than us and can therefore they can spend our money more efficiently. This simply is not true and as soon as they gain the position and they are then “taught” by the ruling elite on how they should use their office as per the powers that be. So we keep creating the same thing over and over again….they go along to get along. And then we are surprised nothing has changed.

If we really want politics and government to change than we have to change our perception of what it means to elect a person. We have to change our expectations of those that get elected. We need to start at the beginning. If the Founders had debated about which Party had the best to offer to build the foundation of this country they would still be debating that one subject. Instead they had the best people that represented many perspectives discussing the formation of this government, because not only did political parties not exist in that day but most of our Founding Fathers did not approve of their existence as George Washington once said, ( in his farewell speech 1796) ” The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.”“All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.”

“However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”

So I believe if we get back to that original intent of governing ourselves for ourselves and not become hampered done by false allegiances to political parties but only to be aligned with our common principles and values then we will truly see the Nation that was began so many years ago. Which is why for me learning this particular lesson was an important one. My only loyalty lie in the best possible way to serve my country whether it be as a voter who looks beyond party politics and votes on principle or as tea party leader trying to educate my fellow citizens on the importance of self government.

Either way I now understand the philosophy of those brave men who experimented with a whole new form of government. And for me this has been a profound lesson.

No more taxes is the call from Americans when it comes to the deficit


With tax day still looming in the rearview mirror, it appears the American taxpayer is not feeling very giving when it comes to the Uncle Sam.

A new Rasmussen Report poll finds 69 percent of Americans are not in favor of higher taxes to pay down the ballooning deficit. The new poll finds that only 18 percent of taxpayers are willing to shell out more money to the Federal Reserve in order to pay down the country’s bloated deficit.

An overwhelming number of Americans would rather see Congress curtail their
spending habits instead of reaching their sticky fingers into taxpayer pocketbooks. With many entitlement programs running in the red, either higher taxes or severe spending cuts are on the horizon.

However, Rasmussen found that most voters believe President Obama’s bipartisan debt reduction commission will recommend tax hikes rather than spending cuts. The poll also disclosed that if the panel suggests tax increases, 78 percent believe Congress will raise taxes across the board.

The results also showed that men were twice as likely to accept a tax hike compared to women. Keep reading

Fiscal responsiblity strikes at the heart of America’s problems


Like a speeding train headed for a cliff, the conductor knows impending catastrophe is rapidly approaching and the time to act is running out. Just like that conductor, America is now facing a similar scenario as the deficits the country is racking up are reaching unsustainable levels.

The current White House administration has enacted record breaking spending packages like, TARP part two, stimulus one and two as well as a new trillion-dollar health care entitlement program.

While the country continues to face a stubborn recession and families tightened their budgets in order to wait out the economic storm, President Obama continues to put forth larger than life yearly budgets with massive spending programs and no budgetary control in sight.

However, team Obama has put together a debt commission. The co-chairs, Erskine Bowles a Democrat and Alan Simpson a Republican are searching for a solutions regarding America’s impending financial doomsday.

The commission says that at all options are on the table during their first once month meetings. They expect to present the President with their findings right after the November mid-term elections.

The commission is made up of 10 Democrats and eight Republicans and for a recommendation to move forward they must have 14 of the 18 members in agreement. This will not be easy considering the Senate cannot come up with 60 of 100 votes to move legislation ahead. Keep reading

Arizona’s tough new illegal immigration law angers liberals


Arizona’s new illegal immigration bill is expected to be signed into law by Saturday by Conservative Gov. Jan Brewer and will toughen the state’s already stern immigration laws.

According to Fox News, the bill has sparked high emotion and the sponsor of the bill State Senator Russell Pearce (R) says “it will take the handcuffs off law enforcement and allow them to respect the states’ immigration laws to puts focus on violent criminals.”

The Los Angeles Catholic Arch Bishop took exception to the tougher law and said it represents “Nazi and Soviet-style” repression.

Protests were held outside the Arizona state capitol in Phoenix demanding Governor Brewer to strike down the new proposed legislation. However, Brewer is a Conservative leaning towards signing and opponents know lawmakers inside the capitol are not going to listen to their cries.

The landmark legislation will alleviate an insurmountable problem the state faces with illegal immigration and the crime it attracts.

“Our citizens have a Constitutional right to expect our laws to be enforced and that’s what we’re going to do in Arizona,” Pearce said. Keep reading

Republicans submit new bill to strengthen U.S./Mexico border


Republicans have introduced new legislation to secure the U.S. border that is located on federal land; the bill hopes to prevent environmental damage, crime, drug smuggling and terrorist threats against residents who live along the southern region.
The House National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (R-WA), Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Peter King (R-NY) and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced legislation to prohibit the Department of the Interior (DOI) from using environmental regulations to hinder U.S. Border Patrol from securing the border on federal lands.
As a result of DOI’s actions, federal open space has become an unpatrolled highway that endangers American lives and causes severe environmental damage along the unobstructed trek from Mexico to the U.S.
Last month Arizona rancher Rob Krentz, was murdered by an alleged illegal alien who entered and exited the U.S. on federal land through the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge in which there is no border security, according to authorities.
This wildlife region lends itself to ineffective monitoring by the Border Patrol. In 2007, Krentz and his wife wrote a letter to members of Congress expressing concern about the increased criminal activity that was taking place along the border. The letter expressed concern that “we are in fear for our lives and safety and health of ourselves and that of our families and friends.” Keep reading

Chelsea’s Law moves onward with California’s Governor approval


It’s been less than two months since Chelsea King was raped and murdered by a convicted sexual predator, with the dedication of her parents Chelsea’s Law has moved forward in the usually gridlocked Sacramento legislature.

The new law seeks to toughen existing sexual offenders laws by adding mandatory life prison sentences for forcible violent sex crimes against children, tightening sex offenders parole guidelines and adding requirements for the life-long tracking of certain repeat sexual offenders.

Chelsea’s law, Assembly Bill 1844 made it out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee this morning. The bill was penned by San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) has been working closely with the King family since their daughter was tragically murdered in late February.

“Public safety is my number one priority, and I share Assemblyman
Fletcher’s goal of making our communities safer and protecting our kids from
sexual predators,’” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement today. Keep reading

California’s economic woes continue to grow with unemloyment


Unemployment in the golden state hit new record highs with 12.6 percent of Californians looking for a job. California’s high unemployment numbers fall behind Michigan, 14.1 percent, Nevada, 13.4 and ties the state for third with Rhode Island; this is not welcome news for Democrats as the upcoming campaign rhetoric picks up.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says his office was encouraged but pointed out in a statement that California needs to focus on training employees and provide employers new/more incentives to hire Californians.

Chief economist for the State Department of Finance, Howard Roth, explained that he thinks the unemployment rate in California appears to be near its peak.

While this is seen as a victory for some political officials, those seeking gainful employment believe the double speak coming from Sacramento rings hollow and until jobless number begin their turnaround all leaders in government need to be mindful of the impending elections. Keep reading

House of Death ICE informant “Lalo” freed from prison


It started seven long years ago with Lalo selling his cartel knowledge to the U.S. government. The Mexican national would give America important details regarding the inner workings of drug cartels in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

It was good information.

Guillermo Eduardo Ramirez Peyro or ‘Lalo’s’ results-orientated methods earned him recognition with his Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handlers. His work ethic garnered him 60 plus convictions and millions in money and drugs for the prized El Paso ICE office. Lalo’s information was so ironclad, criminals plead guilty and saved the taxpayers the expense of courtroom trials.

Looking back to the days leading up to the January 2004 showdown with ICE and DEA, Lalo began his exit from the dark underworld of drug cartel bosses and the murder that often accompanied the Mexican mafia.

To be honest, Lalo says he was glad to escape with his life. Once the House of Death and 12 murders unraveled; the U.S. knew the jig was up, Lalo began his exit strategy and hoped he’d return to his life in central Mexico.

It didn’t happen.

The U.S. government wanted one more favor from Lalo; they wanted him to lure Santillan, a high-ranking member of the Juarez cartel, into America. Lalo was reluctant because he knew the cartel leaders would figure out that he was a snitch and luring a high-profile drug boss would prevent him from ever returning to his home country.  Keep reading

Mexican drug cartels threaten U.S. Border Patrol Agents


After a week marred with violence along the U.S./Mexico border sources admit the Mexican drug cartels have placed a $250 thousand bounty for the kidnapping or murder of Border Patrol Agents.

U.S. agents are taking the threat very seriously and say officers in the field should use extreme caution when approaching the border fence area. The threat comes after an Arizona rancher was murdered on his own property last month by an alleged illegal alien.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to law enforcement officers in west Texas due to retaliatory killings by a Mexican gang. The agency has suggested agents’ change up their routes and wears body armor while on duty.

DHS headquarters said gang members might issue a “green light” to murder law enforcement officers in the Texas and other U.S. border areas. The report also suggests that the law enforcement officers pay special attention to any unusual activity. Keep reading

CBO chief calls Democrat ecomonic path unsustainable


As the nation marks tax freedom day– the day in which most Americans have earned enough money to pay for federal, state, and local taxes – most are left feeling worried instead of relieved thanks to the Democrats out-of-control spending agenda in Washington.
Adding to the misery is the price tag of the new health care reform package that will dig deeper into American’s pocket book by creating $570 billion in new taxes.
As a result senior Obama officials are now hinting that that a European-style ”value added tax” (VAT) will be needed to meet the increased spending, however many say the new hidden tax will slam consumers and kill jobs.
The already bloated deficit is expected to increase by an eye-popping $2.2 trillion. President Obama’s new massive $3.83 trillion budget proposal for 2011 recklessly borrows 42 cents of every $1 spent by the federal government, according to his financial team.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Chief Doug Elmendorf called the Obama Administration’s fiscal path “unsustainable” and stressed that the crisis cannot be solved through “minor tinkering.”  Keep reading