A revolution in changing the paradigm of the electorate that has been tainted with entitlements, government corruption, and our tolerance to bureaucratic incompetence…

A Tea Partier’s Diary

By Guest Column Ken Lewis (Bio and Archives)  Friday, May 11, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us

I have been a member of the tea party movement since its adolescence on April 15th of 2009 as many gathered in a park in downtown Mobile, AL, to express their frustration and disapproval of TARP, cap and trade, the threat of government run healthcare and other dizzying bills coming out of Washington.

Since its birth, the tea party people (myself and many other sane and good Americans) have been spit on, called names, accused of being racist, crazies, extremists and nazi’s. The main stream media, politicians, leaders, our VP and even my President have insulted, undermined, and underestimated us as simply a nuisance that will fade away. A fad to the growing economic problems… They have scorned us and tried to silence us with every angle possible. Deception, hate, fear, personal attack, and political tricks.

Seeing this I often ponder about what our forefathers actually endured as the rumors of independence hit the loyal British subjects who followed the crown despite the tyranny coming from King George’s throne. I am sure these men must have been looked down upon, been considered extremists and crazies. In fact, these men today would be considered on the furthest fringe of extremism, as militia and law breakers as today’s liberal media would label them. And to be honest they would be correct in that assessment. Liberty doesn’t come free, but it inspires good men to act. These honorable men put everything on the line to run the British out, end the tyranny, the high taxes and the limited freedoms. They understood the dangers in a government with no accountability. They bet it all on the grand ideal and dream of having a nation governed by the people, for the people. They created the most highly regarded and arguably the best written document penned by the hand of mankind; that is our Constitution. America became a beacon of hope, a beacon that lit the light of decency in a very dark world. These brilliant men bet the farm back in the day, at their own peril, and the world won.

Now I see the reality of today. People of this nation have become complacent. They have lost the true meaning of this country’s worth and what a truly special place it is. As I see the progressive liberals show disdain for this nation and its culture, I often wonder why they don’t see what the millions of people in the world see that want to come here, they risk life and limb to be here, and no one seems to want to leave.

America was built on the premise of exceptionalism. If someone does well in school we say he/she is an exceptional student. I believe United States of America is an Exceptional Country, with exceptional people, and we should be proud of that and have a feeling of exceptionalism in the world… That is nothing to apologize to the world for. Do not mistake people’s bitterness to their local and cultural problems in the world as a reason for us, as a nation, to apologize about the quality of life here. I am proud of it and thank God for that every day.

So as I look upon the state of our union I see division. Division in the common vision, in race, in culture, in values, in ideology. I see hypocrisy from the left to remove the Ten Commandments from our government buildings, remove prayer from our schools and try to remove “In God We Trust” from our currency. I watch as the left supports the ground zero mosque while still vilifying our own cultures and religious beliefs, I find it disheartening and disappointing. This is not being tolerant; this is being taken advantage of.

And now I see a government whom does not respect the Constitution, who feels as though their values and ideals are above those of its citizens. I see debt that will take generations to pay back, I see corruption and back room deals to pass legislation their constituents do not want, I see government takeover of private businesses, I see more government to do more regulation, I see a healthcare take over that will in the end control almost every aspect of our lives, as well as our deaths. I see our President apologizing for us throughout the world as if we, as a nation have wronged it in some way. I see no representation with mounting taxation. I see our nation in dire trouble.

If you want to know what the average tea party member thinks and feels, well, that pretty much sums it up. This is why there is no organization needed. That is why there is no leader to this movement. That is why, even though this movement has members that come from all corners of this nation, we are all speaking the same language, shouting the same message, whose anger has erupted and this silent majority will no longer go quietly into the good night. This is a fight, a revolution to save our country in distress. Each generation has the responsibility to pass liberty to the next, each generation are the gate keepers. This is our time right now. What they do in their life time is up to them. But we must be good stewards and teachers of such things to ensure our country remains free for generations to come. We must pass down this liberty, this freedom, this way of life, and they must understand that this is not negotiable for any reason ever. Freedom requires discipline, responsibility, courage and a watchful eye.  You got to really want it…. Because it will be taken from you while you are distracted.

If what I am saying is considered extreme, or labeled as crazy, then too are every man/woman who has fought and died to protect the idea that is this nation, Arlington Cemetery, the home of many unknown soldiers is full of such countrymen.  This includes every citizen past and present who has answered the call of this nation, every person who is standing up now and saying NO, and most importantly, this includes our founders who created such an amazing country for the people, not for themselves… It is their legacy we must pass on to our children. Looking at that, I believe this tea party member is in great company…

It’s that simple. But it’s that hard. This is nothing less than a revolution in changing the paradigm of the electorate that has been tainted with entitlements, government corruption, and our tolerance to bureaucratic incompetence…

May you vote well in 2012!

Ken Lewis
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Items of notes and interest from the web.