Editorial: An Insider’s Perspective from the Tea Party
Despite the hard work of Tea Party affiliated legislators who attempted to forestall a bad compromise on the debt ceiling bill, our efforts came up short. Because of these courageous attempts to defeat a bad bill, some in Congress, the White House, and main street media vilified the Tea Party. Nancy Pelosi referred to us as the “dark side” while Vice President Biden called us “terrorists.” Even Republican Senator John McCain called us “Hobbits” and told us to return to the Middle Earth not realizing that the Hobbits actually defeated Mordor and evil. Obviously these politicians are out of touch with normal, everyday American folk.
Why is the Tea Party the target of such criticism? Simple. The Tea Party has the courage to expose the facts about our economy and to save our great country from the economic disaster we are all facing. Let’s examine a few facts:
- The U.S. government spends $2 million every minute of everyday – 24/7.
- The failed stimulus cost the American people $830 billion.
- There are currently 13.9 Million Americans still unemployed. The “official” unemployment rate is 9.1%.
- 43¢ of every $1 the government spends is borrowed.
- Our current national debt is $14.6 trillion and projected to be $26 trillion in 10 years.
- The “reductions” in the recently passed “debt deal” only slowed the rate of the increase in spending, not actual spending.
We take some solace in what we have achieved. The Tea Party movement has shed light on the real problem in Washington D.C. and changed the debate from “how much to spend” to “how do we cut, cap and balance” our national budget. Unfortunately, the Balanced Budget Act did not get a chance to be debated on the Senate floor due to an obstinate and arrogant Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.
Many in Tea Party groups believe we need a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) now! Polls report that about 80% of Americans agree with us! This is not an extremist view. We firmly believe there are ample, feasible opportunities to reduce spending without raising taxes. We, as a nationwide coalition of Tea Party members, were instrumental in electing a good number of fiscal conservatives in the House of Representatives in 2010 and a few more in the Senate. For the 2012 elections, we intend to elect more conservative legislators in the House and do the same in the U. S. Senate and to help a principled, fiscally conservative candidates win the White House.
When pundits and politicians talk about “the” Tea Party, it shows that they don’t understand the movement. Many of us are individuals from all walks of life who have recently become politically active due to our concern for our children’s future, our financial and physical security, and the well-being and prosperity of our neighbors. We are independent from the Republican and the Democratic parties and have signed a Declaration of Tea Party Independence affirming this position. We are not centrally organized or represented uniformly by a national organization. Simply put – the members of Tea Parties across the nation are actively fighting for a government that is less controlling of our private and business lives and more responsible with its checkbook.
Whether you support the Tea Party’s objectives or not, please know that we are courageous, honest, caring, sincere people, despite what the media and some politicians have told you about us. We welcome all concerned citizens, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, and political affiliations. We stand by the Constitution. We don’t believe that bigger government is the best answer to help our neighbors. In fact, we see it draining the livelihood from too many of them.
Are you with us or do you have a better plan? Are you aware of our nation’s economic vulnerability and government’s excess? How much longer can this model of wasteful spending continue?
Our Bozeman Tea Party is a non-partisan grassroots organization, and we invite you to join in our mission to inspire and activate Montanans to restore and preserve America’s constitutional republic. Please visit our website and learn how you can play a vital role in preserving your dreams and saving our great country from economic ruin.
Billie Orr is the Chairwoman of the Bozeman Tea Party
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Editor’s Note: This editorial originally appeared in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on August 8, 2011 and is updated here. The Bozeman Tea Party would also like to thank Rep. Denny Rehberg for voting “no” on the final bill that raised the debt ceiling.
Recently, the Bozeman Tea Party held elections for the Board of Directors as well as officers. The following are Board members and officers of the organization.
Billie Orr, Chairwoman
Henry Kriegel, Vice Chairman
Don Hart, Treasurer
Tom Tuck
Glen Swope
Ken Champion, alternate
