31. May 2011 by admin.

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.

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16. April 2010 by admin.

Tax day tea parties brewed across the country with hundreds of thousands taking a stand against many social ills like health care reform, Cap and Tax, 2nd Amendment infringements and looming tax increases.

The 2nd annual Oceanside rally saw thousands shout, share personal signs and support the tea party movement in San Diego, but what most didn’t know in Oceanside was more turned out for this rally than to catch a glimpse of the first lady, Michelle Obama who was also in San Diego on tax day.

The patriotic crowd started the rally with the pledge of allegiance and singing the national anthem. Many attendees were either currently in the military or retired members who took time to listen and learn about state and local leaders running for public office.

Local heavyweight, Sandy Lehmkuhler of the Warrior Foundation brought fellow wounded veterans to the rally and announced their organization had raised more than $6 million to assist returning injured warriors. “Welcome, Home of the free and land of the amazing,” she began.

“I love our military town. It’s an honor to be a part of Wounded Warriors. We are able to fly both parents to San Diego to see their child when he/she returns injured. Our organization gives palm pilots and other devices to assist with their rehabilitation process.” The crowd greeted Lehmkuhler’s message with loud applause and support. Keep reading

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28. February 2010 by admin.

One year ago today, concerned citizens throughout America began the arduous task of organizing a movement. The movement would grow like wildfire and be known as the Tea Party. The leaderless grassroots group would focus on big-government spending and infringement of laws threatening American liberty and freedom.

Tea Party members say this will be the first battle of the Second American Revolution. Across America the calls were heard and citizens formed a vast patriot social network. By April, the Tea Party movement included millions of Americans, and on April 15th, 850 tea parties across the nation hosted 1.2 million patriots voicing their defiance of an out-of-control government.

“To date in California we have 173 different Tea Party groups and we are home to the largest coalition in the country – we are even bigger than Texas,” said Dawn Wildman co-founder of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition in San Diego. “It’s great to see the rain or the last minute parking charge (formally a free lot on the weekends) didn’t keep the 1,000 Tea Party supporters from our first anniversary.”

The parking charge didn’t sit well with the Tea Party organizers and after the event it was back to work doing what the citizen activists do best – hit the phones. Keep reading

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23. February 2010 by admin.

Tea Party organizers have found their voice, grown exponentially and have exerted their political will into both parties. Many of these grassroots organizations are now celebrating their first anniversary, but one thing is certain, they won’t rest until Washington politics is restored to its roots and begins to live within its means.
According Dylan Ratigan at MSNBC the Tea Party movement has “no coach, no game plan, and did we mention, the tea party has a bit of an integrity problem, as everybody from birthers, to open racists, to outright Nazis are actually on the team. And no one involved, including its leadership, seems to mind the fact.”
Ask the millions of everyday Americans who attended political rallies for the first time in their lives about main stream media view of their cause and you get something along the lines of “sticks and stones.”
While the mainstream media continues to mock the grassroots movement, the Tea Party folks look at the swelling ranks assuring their value in the political process.
“There are two things I have discovered during the course of the past year regarding the media. First, San Diego is blessed to have very engaged and fair-minded local news organizations. Second, in terms of national coverage, Tea Party participants rely mainly on the internet, Facebook, and Twitter and we really don’t expect much out of the beltway/New York media organizations,” says Leslie Eastman founder of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition. Keep reading

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13. October 2009 by admin.

Looking to capitalize on the recent health care publicity, the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition group stormed their local Whole Foods market and bought plenty of food.

After liberal Democrats went after Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey for his op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, questioning the Obama Administration’s rather large health care bill, tea party groups across the country responded with a buy-cott.

Whole Foods is an environmentally-aware company where management as well as employees most likely voted for the President in overwhelming numbers; It recently became an unlikely target of the left.

This action spurred many groups across the nation to point out that this legislation affects every American and should be pared down.

“In the spirit of Flaming Capitalism, our group did this event to support Mackey and the long-term success of Whole Foods as an engine for job creation and free markets,” said Leslie Eastman of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition.

More than 100 new shoppers were introduced to Whole Foods, Eastman says.

Once all the receipts are tallied, Eastman will be writing a letter to Whole Foods demonstrating the power of capitalism and counter-protests.

“Hopefully, Whole Foods management learns a lesson and figures out that other corporations have also been unfairly deemed ‘evil profiteers’ (e.g. there were tree mugger t-shirts for sale insulting loggers) then perhaps they might expand their customer base,” Eastman explains.

For more stories; www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner

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19. September 2009 by admin.

Well I have returned from an exciting time in our Nations Capitol. On Saturday September 12, 2009 myself, my husband Geoff and my father Patrick, Sarah and her sister Ruth joined over one million other patriots in a march to the Capitol Steps in Washington D.C. This was an honor for me that I will always remember and I would like to share a few  my experiences with all of you. After driving up from North Carolina, where we picked up my father and step mother, we arrived in Washington the day before the March.  I was excited and a bit ambivalent, after all this could either be a huge event or an enormous disappointment. When we arrived at Freedom Plaza 8:30 on Saturday morning it was already packed at the Plaza. I could not tell how big the Plaza actually was because there were too many people in it, around it, over it, everywhere. Geoff put together our flag pole and lifted up our California flag which we used as a marker for other Californians to see and find us, and as a way to express our inclusion as a state that is full of patriots. No sooner did our flag get raised when other people from around

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18. September 2009 by admin.

Looking ahead to the 2010 election, Chuck DeVore hopes a Reagan-style landslide is in his future. This five-year veteran in the California State Assembly sees this upcoming election as a way to change the future.

Speaking before a tea party crowd in El Cajon, seasoned-politician DeVore took a few jabs at the sitting Senator, Boxer, as well as the ACORN scandal.

“There are two reasons why I am running against Ma’am Boxer; because we so badly need to beat her,” the crowd erupts with applause.” And number two, I know we can do it in 2010,” DeVore enthusiastically said.

Talking about the deficit and out-of-control spending in Washington D.C., DeVore says you and the person to your right and left are paying taxes, “this isn’t an ACORN rally.”

Since he began his quest to replace Boxer a few months back, this Conservative Republican has made more than 130 public appearances garnering support from San Francisco to San Diego.

After an El Cajon tea party event, DeVore took some time to answer questions about what he will do if elected Senator.

Q. Recently two San Diego town hall meetings were the center of controversy when Sheriff Gore placed military Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) at events discussing health care. What’s your reaction?

A. I don’t feel comfortable with that at all. It’s a right to meet with elected officials and you don’t want a free people who want to assemble to feel intimidated. If I was California’s Senator, I’d immediately ask the Sheriff why they (LRAD) were placed at the event and why I wasn’t informed before my town hall if there was a credible threat. I’m not afraid of my constituents. Keep reading

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17. September 2009 by admin.

After a whirlwind tour that started in Sacramento and ended in Washington D.C., Mason Weaver, a self -professed conservative, will launch a grassroots campaign against Susan Davis-D Calif. The journey to decision making took Weaver to eight tea party rallies across the country.

“Americans are screaming that they want representation. I’ve decided to give it to them,” Weaver says.

Weaver who is known for saying “I’m black, no hyphen required,” says all the paper work will be filed next week.

“I’ve been encouraged from a broad spectrum of leaders, spiritual, economical, grass roots and most importantly my family and friends to represent the people in California in 2010,” he says.

This normally shy guy says God took a shy person who stuttered and made him into a public speaker and now a possible Congressman.

After meeting with former Majority Leader for the Republicans, Dick Armey, who leads Freedom Works, Weaver decided he was tired of “seeing the hollow look in voters eyes who reside in his 53rd district.” Keep reading

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13. September 2009 by admin.

 Yesterday more than a million Democrat, Republican and Independent American citizens gathered in Washington D.C. The protesters were standing up for the country’s drastic change to big government in a time of deep recession.

It amazed me that reading coverage about the thousands of events that took place across the country and the big enchilada in D.C.; no one would have learned that there was anybody other than the conservative right in attendance.

Try telling that to the lifetime Democrats, who are seniors, who say they are literally fighting for their lives. Try telling the young adults who are politically active for the first time in their life and realize the numbers don’t stack up.

It’s funny how the main stream media, and by that I include ABC, CBS, NBC and all the big city newspapers, will report on a handful of Code Pink protesters sitting at former President Bush’s house, but fail to recognize the million plus of ordinary working-class citizens spending their vacation money to donate to candidates or attend rallies. Keep reading

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8. September 2009 by admin.

The latest entry into the gubernatorial race in California, Chelene Nightingale opens up after a Stop Taxing Us rally, where she and Congressman Darrell Issa-R Calif. spoke to a crowd of 3,000. If the short speech meant anything, Nightingale was warmly received.

Nightingale started the year out unsure what the future would hold, little did she know that a run for California’s highest office was in the works. Ever so candid, Nightingale has embraced her political career and looks forward to the long hours ahead of her as the race for Sacramento pushes forward.

“Overwhelmingly positive,” is how Nightingale explains her governor’s bid. “A majority of us are waking up to the fact that our two-party system is failing us and thus are seeking alternatives.”

This mother of one is running on the Constitution Party ticket, and points out that she “is not a career politician.”

Taking the helm of a top 10 economy like California lends itself to daunting decision making. For this enormous task, Nightingale will seek assistance from many in order to find solutions for  Keep reading

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