Patriots and friends,
What follows is correspondence I have had over the past two days with Bob Shannon of King William County. This correspondence is a result of my email to most of you which sent the subject article by Tom DeWeese. Please begin at the bottom and read upward. You will see that Bob has given me permission to share his comments with you. If you want to comment directly to him you can because his email address and phone number are given.
Dewitt Edwards
"Only those that are brave in the face of adversity deserve to live free"
Samuel Adams
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."
George Orwell
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Robert Shannon <robertshannon_44@msn.com>
To: DeWitt Edwards <l_edwards@verizon.net>
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: In Defense of the Tea Party
DeWitt,Yes of course. I am hopeful that this effort to form a new state organization will work. The first step, requiring a year just to find 12 brave groups, willing to accept the badly needed new approach will be aided by you sharing this with as many as possible. It will help me get some 'feelers" out there making my search a little easier. As I said I only need 2 groups from each of the 6 regions but they will be vetted extensively for inclusion, and it will not be easy to get in.Thank you--you are my friend , but more importantly you are a Patriot and a friend to the cause !Bob Shannon----- Original Message -----From: DeWitt EdwardsTo: Robert ShannonSent: Friday, November 15, 2013 8:29 AMSubject: Re: In Defense of the Tea PartyThank you Bob for your comments. May I share them with the MIddle Peninsula Tea Party members.Dewitt Edwards"Only those that are brave in the face of adversity deserve to live free"Samuel Adams"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."George Orwell
From: Robert Shannon <robertshannon_44@msn.com>
To: DeWitt Edwards <l_edwards@verizon.net>
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2013 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: In Defense of the Tea Party
This is a wonderful compilation of what has happened, sort of a "look in the rear view mirror" if you will. Well written, factual but if we are to move forward then it is incumbent upon us to recognize two distinct truths, uncomfortable truths , but facts.1. It is understood by historians that the Revolutionary War was fought by 3% of the population---yes 3%. Our numbers are larger than that, estimates range from around 12-20% of the nations citizens support our broad goals. That is comforting.2. While we have had some successes at the local level we have not moved the needle after 4 1/2 years at the State or National level, and the question then is WHY ???? I think the answer is obvious. Mr. DeWeese specifically mentions the "grass roots" bottom up nature, the local autonomy each one of our groups have, and enjoy. Is that our friend or our ENEMY ?? Does it lend to a lack of cohesion in directing our collective strength towards bigger goals at the State level in Richmond ?? I think it does. Couple with that, in my learned opinion the reality that , while we acknowledge the failure of "both parties" many leaders in the TEA Party movement still reluctantly refuse to hold republican legislators accountable. This is what must change, and I think I have a plan to do just that.In January I will begin the process of forming a new State organization. Unlike the VTPP-Federation, and they have done fine work ,this new organization will be comprised of 12 groups, 2 from each of 6 regions.Also unlike the Federation the qualifying criteria to get into this new organization will be much more stringent in that certain principles will have to be adhered to in order to gain entry. I have one year set aside to find/form these 12 groups. After that stage or phase we will begin to roll out the very detailed specific plans to build an effective State organization.One core principle is that the days of playing soft ball with elected officials is OVER. This will be a seismic shift away from the conventional approach to reforming the republican party, which I am sure most of us agree must be done. The republican establishment hates us, hates what we stand for, hates the interference ( which is how they see us) and as I write this they are advocating that last weeks election losses were a result of the TEA Party and it's undue influence on the republicans choice of the candidates that were on the ticket. All of which is unfounded of course but as Rush Limbaugh said in August and I quote" the republicans really don't want smaller government ,they just want to take turns running it"As uncomfortable as some of you may find yourselves hearing those words---Rush Limbaugh is correct. Reform of the republican party will only come with much fighting and outright rebellion on our part, tactics that have been ruled as " outlandish or extreme" but have not yet been implemented with any seriousness or consistency.Any of the group leaders who may like to discuss with me my plans for this new State organization can reach me at robertshannon_44@msn.com or (804) 769-8884If you clearly understand that a new approach is needed, that if we are as John Taylor said ever to hope to influence the General Assembly in Richmond then stand up. We will not in John's words move the ball in Richmond unless and until we have an effective State organization. Let's take the fight to them , right at their hearts.Bob Shannon----- Original Message -----From: DeWitt EdwardsSent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 2:45 PMSubject: In Defense of the Tea PartyFellow patriots, it's easy to feel discouraged after the election. We see our neighbors and friends (mostly uniformed) voting for people who have the most yard signs or commercials on TV. I have personally experienced this when some have come to me and asked who they should vote for. Do you sometimes ask yourself as a member of the Middle Peninsula Tea Party, if you are making a difference. I confess that I have at times myself. We must remind ourselves that in any war there are victories and defeats. Don't think for a moment that we are not in a war. We are fighting against the forces within our country who are determined to destroy our form of government. What we must do after defeat is rally our members, determine how to fight more intelligently and renew our commitment to never give up this fight for freedom. So please read this article and be encouraged. For those who are not tea party members, this will help you understand who we are.
IN DEFENSE OF THE TEA PARTYBy Tom DeWeeseJust a few years ago some American citizens came together to demand change. They were fed up with decades of out of control government growth; confiscation of their hard-earned income through ever-increasing taxes and unending regulations invading every aspect of their lives. Things were racing out of control.
Every aspect of American society was changing and not for the better.Freedoms and rights that are guaranteed under the Constitution – the founding document of our nation and law of the land, were disappearing. Elected representatives turned a deaf ear to concerned citizens. It seemed those in power simply didn't care. No matter the outcome of elections, nothing changed. There was a sense of hopelessness, helplessness and frustration as concerned citizens saw the America they loved disappearing.
The answer? Enter the TEA Party – declaring "Taxed Enough Already." It was time to make their voice heard. It was time to directly confront the government and demand that it stay within the confines of the Constitution that every single elected official at every level of government pledged to uphold.
They organized. They rallied. They confronted members of Congress at local meetings. And their voices were heard. The TEA Party movement spread across the nation like wild fire. Many people were excited that finally the national debate was about concerns over the ever-expanding government. Some officials embraced the TEA Party. Some feared it.
Most who participated were political novices, experiencing their first direct activism. Concerned citizens, many were just parents who had spent their time raising the kids, and had been unaware of just how massive the government had gotten. They were about to get the shock of their lives.
* The Federal Reserve is a private organization that isn't officially part of the Federal Government. Yet it controls the money supply and controls interest rates. The TEA Party demanded that it be audited so we could all see its wealth, its holdings, and how it makes its decisions that directly affect our lives. Congress refused to demand such an audit. The TEA Party thought that was wrong and demanded that the Fed be held accountable to the American people. For that action the TEA Party was vilified for rocking the boat.
* The TEA Party demanded that out-of-control spending be reigned in, waste stopped and taxes lowered. Supporters of big government raced to the microphones to declare that such demands would hurt the poor and deny them programs that were necessary for them to live. RACIST, came the charge against the TEA Party.
* The TEA Party expressed opposition to immigration "reform" laws which would reward those who crossed our borders illegally, resulting in millions flooding into our nation, gaining free hospital care, education and welfare, while denigrating American culture and quality of life. The TEA Party thought that was wrong and simply demanded that Congress enforce the very laws it had created. Again came the charge against the TEA Party of RACISM.
* In communities across the nation, TEA Party activists began to oppose regulations designed to damage or even eliminate private property rights, usually under the excuse of protecting the environment. Many such policies are being enforced through the establishment of non-elected boards, regional governments, and local planning councils, denying citizen input.When local citizens attend public meetings to express opposition, as is done in representative governments, officials many times simply ignore them, refusing to engage in discussion, accusing them of perpetrating groundless conspiracy theories. Some citizens have even been removed bodily from such meetings simply for expressing opposition. When in frustration of not being heard, TEA Party activists show up in protest, the head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency labeled them, "Jack Booted Thugs."
* One of the most recent fights in which the TEA Party has engaged is the nationwide enforcement of new federal education curriculum standards called Common Core. A study of the curriculum shows it contains a severe lack of history of the founding ideals of America and a negative focus on free enterprise. But Common Core contains a strong focus on diversity, social justice and Globalism. There is very little actual academic instruction in Common Core. Some critics describe it as being more about creating a cadre of social activists than an educated society. When TEA Party activists begin studying the curriculum and asking questions of school administrators, they are dismissed as Far Right lunatic fringe nuts.
* It is true that most activists in the TEA Party not only believe that the Constitution is the law of the land, but are also devout Christians. As such, they are very concerned by government actions to ban or shut down Christian activities. It started years ago with the banning of Christmas decorations or Manger scenes on public property. Many ministers are afraid to speak out about current events from the pulpit for fear of retribution from the government. Yet, there is a drive to teach Islam in the public schools, where children are actually given assignments on the subject. There seems to be few restrictions on that religion in public life. Naturally, the TEA Party thinks that is wrong and cries foul over the unbalanced situation. The charge against the TEA Party is Intolerance!
* And then there is Obamacare. Says Nancy Pelosi and other supporters of this monster, there are millions of uninsured people in this nation and we need to fix that. Their solution is to force most of those millions to buy government- sanctioned insurance at exorbitant rates. Of course, the reason most of those people are uninsured in the first place was because they can't afford it. Now, under Obamacare, they must buy it or pay a fine – even though to do so means no food on the table, or perhaps outright bankruptcy. When you are a compassioned liberal on a mission, facts don't matter. Companies that have decided not to hire new people, or only add part time people, because of the outrageous costs, are attacked as heartless. Of course, the Obama Administration changes the rules daily as they exempt labor unions, Congress itself, and certain companies who perhaps just happened to have donated to his campaign. The entire nation is in turmoil over this law that not a single member of Congress read before voting on it (because no printed copy existed). No wonder the TEA Party and about 70% of the rest of the nation oppose it. Yet, for that opposition, again the TEA Party faces the charge of RASCISM.
These are some of the issues that the TEA Party sees as problems in America. They focus on fairness, fiscal responsibility and fears of government overreach. Yet the attacks against the TEA Party are that it is a fanatical fringe element of the Republican Party. Why? Are Americans no longer allowed to speak out on issues? Is political debate to be outlawed? Are we just expected to shut up and take whatever certain elements of our society deem proper?
In the Congressional folly just witnessed by the nation over the government shutdown and debt limit, the news media vilified the TEA Party as the root of the problem. Senator Ted Cruz took the lead in trying to stop funding, and thereby enforcement, of Obamacare. He had very little backing from his own party. He was charged by the news media of trying to force a shutdown and thereby a default of the U.S. Government. The media referred to Cruz and other members of Congress who opposed Obamacare as a "TEA Party" fringe of the Republican Party.
It's interesting to note that as the news media announces the latest polls showing the drop in popularity of the Republicans or the President over the shut down debacle, they are also detailing polls showing that the battle led to a drop in the popularity of the TEA Party. Apparently, even as the news media wants to bury the TEA Party, obviously what it says matters. And the media is doing all it can to change that. Editorials are pounding on the TEA Party, blaming it for forcing the nation to the brink of collapse. In social gatherings (even some Conservative gatherings) one hears negative comments about TEA Party nuts. "If only those nuts would get out of the way."
Missing from most of these debates, polls and editorial charges so anxious to blame the TEA Party, are the facts that it was the Democrats who stonewalled while immediately labeling any new Republican proposal as dead on arrival. Obama refused to bargain.
Through the well-orchestrated charges against the Republican "fringe," and the clinking of Democrat glasses as they celebrate their "victory" over the TEA Party "nuts," almost unnoticed was an October 15th report in the New York Post, which revealed that, behind the scenes in Democrat circles, close Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is being touted as the "architect" of the shutdown. Why? Because it was Jarrett who advised Obama that voters would mostly blame Republicans if the federal government was shut down. That fact would give the Democrats the perfect excuse to allow it to take back control of the House of Representatives. Bottom line- the TEA Party has been set up by professional operatives on the Left in both the Democrat and Republican parties, to take the fall
As this debate over the TEA Party rages, it is vital that Americans understand what the issue is all about. Why is the TEA Party so vilified? Why are Democrats, main stream Republicans, the news media and the Washington, DC establishment so desperate to kill the TEA Party? Why do they fear it so?
Why? Because the TEA Party represents a dedicated force that could change the future of the nation away from their well-laid plans for bigger and more powerful government control. The TEA Party asks the hard questions and won't accept the hot air coming out of government officials. The TEA Party actually believes that when a politician says something on the stump to get their votes – then he or she had better stick to those ideas when they get elected. What a concept!
The TEA Party is a throwback to those who founded this nation on the principle that individuals are born with their rights rather than being granted by government. And that government's job is to protect those rights at all costs. Such ideas in today's world are a threat to the drive for a well–ordered, well-controlled society. Individuals running amok are a threat and must be kept in their place.
And so, the attack dog media constantly picks at the TEA Party, trying to show its dark side. Who is its leader, they demand. Who speaks for the TEA? In doing so, the TEA Party is then defined by that so-named leader. Is it Sarah Palin or Michelle Baughman? Then every negative thing that could be said about those two could be said about the TEA Party. It's a divide and conquer strategy. Destroy that so-called leader and you destroy the whole movement. Democrat candidates do the same thing in their campaign ads against any conservative opponent. And so, for a news media that can't seem to find any negative facts about a single government program or Democrat, it digs and digs into the TEA Party to find who leads it? Who funds it? Where did it come from? What does it really want? All questions designed to destroy it.
Here's the fact that frustrates the media and the Washington establishment: there is no one leader of the TEA Party. That is its strength. There are many individuals and local groups. It is a true grassroots movement with individual members and groups focused on a variety of issues depending on their location and concerns. There is only one connecting issue for every TEA Party group – a belief that the Constitution of the United States, the document that every elected official pledges to defend, is the law of the land and must be the deciding factor in every action taken by Congress and the federal government. It's as simple as that.
There is one question every American must now ask after having witnessed Obama and Harry Reid refusing to consider any proposal offered by the Republicans. Is there room in modern America for anyone to object to those in charge? Do Americans have a right to speak out and say no? Do Americans have a right to take action against those policies they oppose? Obama, Reid and others of their kind across the nation say no. Blind acceptance to their policies and ideas are the only acceptable way in their world. The technical term for such a state is tyranny.
If it frightens you that America, the land of the Free, has come to such a state, then take a good hard look. Realize what you face in the future if it is allowed to continue. Regardless of whether you agree with the issues or positions of the TEA Party, this is one movement that is protecting the right of opposition and freedom of speech for every American. They have been attacked, called lunatic fringe, racist, and just plain nuts, simply because they believe they have a right, as Americans, to speak out against policies enforced on them by an out of control government. And they don't buckle in the face of overwhelming opposition – because to do otherwise means the end of freedom. The TEA Party.
Tom DeWeese is one of the nation's leading advocates of individual liberty, free enterprise, private property rights, personal privacy, back-to-basics education and American sovereignty and independence. Go to americanpolicy.org for more information
Tom DeWeese's new book is now on Amazon! Click here for more information
Dewitt Edwards
"Only those that are brave in the face of adversity deserve to live free"
Samuel Adams
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."
George Orwell
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