I have been a conservative all of my life. I was very happy when
the Republicans took over Congress in the 90's, reformed welfare
and balanced the budget. When republicans took over the presidency,
and had both houses of Congress, I thought it might again be a
bright day in America. That didn't happen... Instead we got
prescription drugs for seniors, The Department of Homeland
Security, and huge spending. After talking about and doing nothing
about the bankrupt Social Security and Medicare programs, they lost
both houses and Bush became a "lame duck". The last straw for me
was the bailout of the financial industry. 700 billion dollars to
bail out a broken system, with no attempt to fix it. At that point
I was a Tea Party looking for a place to happen! Things have gotten
at least 5 times worse since... Bob Gafford
It is so comforting to know that there are hundreds of thousands
and millions of people who feel the same way about everything
............we are experiencing with this rotten administration
.........and even somewhat before, local, state, and federal
governments............a mix It is refreshing to be with these
honest and injured friends....it is healing, without therapy. My
daughter told me that I am an angry person...........maybe I have
been angry at a lot of systems ... Government mainly....The
education system was the first to infuriate me, however, for a good
reason. My children were not educated properly....they passed
through with the basics driven into their tiney little
brains.....no they have GAPS IN THEIR EDUCATION.....and they are
surely not alone.....there are college students who do not k now
what a person in their 40's and up have learned in their elementary
years..... All for the purpose of making money, the basic educators
no longer have had time to "teach", their job because of all the
statistics they need to co llect to report back to administration
in order to form research teams and "propose better ways of
teaching or actually form the fat in the system, which just makes
jobs and higher taxes..." I HATE THAT IT HAS DESTROYED THIS
COUNTRY>.. And here we go again, with the same riga
raroll................I canot stand it when I hear the words "A
COMMITTEE WILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE "..........................
Well, now we're going backwards............no lights on the city
streets .....due to "conversvation of the energy.........and tell
me, the shipping of water north, or south, how much is this c
osting the taxpayers..who need to stop using the water until they
will have no water left here.......but they keep us hanging on so
the place doesn't become a ghost town. ON and ON --- we have to
BREAK THIS C YCLE........NOW. Helena Samourian (another Armenian
whose ancestors had it better).
I joined the Tea Party because I couldn’t continue doing nothing
and watching our country go down the tubes! We had watched the
elections with Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers and all Obama’s other
cronies doing outrageous things and the news media acting like
nothing was going on. We felt like we were in the twilight zone!
Then with the health care bill coming up, you could just see the
writing on the wall, that the media, our congress, and our
president were not going to stick up for us and give us a bill that
made sense. Instead, it seemed like they were trying to cram this
expensive albatross down our throats. I really did feel, however,
that we would be able to stop the bill with all the Tea Party
support. When we couldn’t even stop it with 70% of America not
wanting the bill, 2 trips to DC and 1.5 million people in DC, we
knew we were in trouble. Now he will try to cram this bank and wall
street reform bill through, even though it was Congress that caused
most of the problems by pushing banks to do subprime loans!!!!! The
very people who caused the problems are the ones who are “fixing
it”. Not a good plan. He will also try to ram down cap and trade
and who knows what else suits his fancy. He does not care about the
business climate or anything about our wonderful Country and will
destroy it if we let him. I would not put it past him to be a
dictator “for our own good”. Wouldn’t that be scary!!! These are
all reasons why I joined and why we all should be in the Tea Party.
Our life and the lives of our family depend on it!!! We all need to
be Tea Party Patriots!!! We will prevail AND we will get the
healthcare bill repealed!!!! My two cents! Connie
I joined the Tea Party to become part of the loudest conservative
voice in the country. I had become apathetic and took freedom for
granted. I had stopped calling myself a Republican in '05. The
party and elected officials were not representing me. I became so
angry in '08 when the party shoved John McCain down our throats, I
decided I needed to do something, I just didn't know what. When I
heard about the Tea Party movement at the end of Mar. '08, I was
ready. I was eager to do anything to be heard, I wanted to take
back my country. I attended the event at Save Mart Center on
4/15/09, and knew I was in the right place with like-minded
Americans. Since then, I've changed, what used to be fun, the
events, have now become a very serious matter for me. The stakes
are too high, this is serious stuff. The Tea Party has given me the
tools to take my passion for freedom where I want to go. I've
attended water marches, food giveaways, I've gone to the west-side
to register and inform voters. I do what I can with my time, and
resources, with no regrets. We are a very diverse group with a
common passion, to protect The Bill of Rights and save our
Constitution. We are making a difference, we are awake, we will not
fall back asleep. We will keep our boots on the throats of those in
office, until they do the right thing. We will not fail our
children and grandchildren. God bless the patriots who continue the
fight. God bless America. Live free or die. Carolyn Sanger,CA
You Know, when this e-mail came across and asked why I joined the
Tea Party, I wasn't going to reply. My husband and I have been
involved with the Tea Party for for quite awhile thru Brad. Gone to
the Boot Camp and a few protests and carried signs, this of course,
was something I thought I'd never do! I'd never really given much
thought to politics, but tried to make sense of issues when voting
and pick the best candidate for the job....I suppose you could say
that as I've gotten older I began to pay more attention to what was
happening in my wonderful country that I had taken for granted for
so long. I thought the Clinton administration drive me crazy!
Wrong! What it did do though, was to get me involved! Paying
attention, writing e-mails etc., at work I was the "E-mail Queen Of
The San Joaquin" and still am!! I must say that this "President"
better yet "Ruler of the Kingdom of Freedom" is doing everything in
his power to take our freedom away and subjugate its people. I
truly believe he is intentionally trying to dismantle capitalism,
one of the very things that makes this country great. There are
other things that I believe about this man, but they'd probably
come after me with white jackets with reeaally long arms!! I am of
Hispanic background but first and foremost I AM AN AMERICAN. Be
proud of your heritage, whatever it may be, but how can we not be
extremely proud of the fact that YOU ARE AN AMERICAN!! To live in a
country and are able to speak freely and breath free air! How
miraculous is this??!! But as I write this, freedoms are being
eroded by a man who doesn't care what you or I think, doesn't care
about this country and it's people. This has shown over the past 17
months and this Memorial Day weekend, when the men and women of our
military should be honored, again, he could care less. Men and
women have died, their blood having fed the Tree of Liberty, and
this so called "leader" of our country is "too busy" or going on
vacation, really!? This is despicable. Soo, to help make my country
safer for my children, grandchildren, to keep our freedoms and most
importantly, to keep men like this forever and always out of
office, from mayor to President. They have called us astro-turf,
birthers, etc., that's o.k. with me, I know it makes them quake in
their boots and I'll take those names proudly because to me it says
Patriot.. .. Libertygirl
Went to the tea party rally last 4th of july and was very
impressed. My father always told me there was safety in numbers and
strength in numbers as well. And even tho washington doesnt seem to
be listening to us, the world is. Being a part of this movment
seemed the right thing to do. I wish I could do more. Jeanne
My wife and I joined The Tea party because we were fed up with
whats going on. Being retired Military I took and oath to protect
this country from all enemies foreign and domestic. I still stick
by that oath today. Keep up the good work
When the Senate passed the health care bill, I realized we had
completely turned a corner we could not return from without a
counter revolution. I had always thought reason would win-out. I
then knew our Constitution no longer meant anything to those sworn
to protect it. It was a "911-like" moment of epiphany, requiring
from me a new resolve, dedication and purpose. No turning back.
Sincerely Robert Smith Brentwood, CA
I'd like to ask you the same question, I've been a tea party member
since 2001 in Klamath Falls oregon . I live in lemoore Ca. and am
an original Riverdale Ca. resident which is the gateway to the
great westside farming in the central valley of california. My
father in the year of 1992 saw the people in this valley OK and
pass the CVPIA and told me farming here is going to be the first
step of government take over ,so he moved his farming progam to
Oregon.In 2001 the federal government took the water from the
farmers in Klamath Falls OR.We rose up against the federal
government for breaking the constitution of the USA. They paid us
for the water they thievied from us ,but only ,10 cents on the
dollar .I told farmers in this area that they would be next ,they
thought I was crazy because of the CVPIA but now it's in their back
yard and I got appoligies from them all. The tea party when I
joined started in Klamath Falls , Oregon in 2001 may 15. I love the
tea party movement and will continue to support it clear across
this great country we live in .Get our country back. Truth will
prevaile and lets send the federal government back to protect our
borders and not control our local and state properties and laws
.Farming and a superb military are two great strenths that this
country has because we can oppress tyrany and feed the world Our
governments presant agenda is trying to take feeding the world away
from this country which will weaken this country's national
security.God bless America and all of you that care as much as I do
. Thanks for the Tea Party Patriots we WILL save this great country
Mike King ,tea party member since 2001
For The first time in my 60 years of voting and what I've seen this
country go thru I cannot remember ever being as disgusted with the
direction our so called leaders are taking this country. People
talk about armageden--I think we have our own right here in the USA
and especially here in Calidfornia. I joined the Tea Party because
I believe that in a united effort we can take our country back to
the greatness it once was. LeeW. Auberry member
For years we donated to both the Republican and the Democratic
Parties. We also voted for Ross Perot. The principals of the T
Party movement seemed to fit where we were trying to go. It has
given me an avenue, along with many others, to invest in
advertising to get a someone we mutually agreed would represent
these principals. At the same time, my vote was not wasted as it
was with Ross Perot. The T Party has also given me hope in our
future. Charles & Shirley
I joined the Tea Party movement after the Ron Paul meetup groups
dissolved. I hope that people are waking up, and that the Tea Party
will allow us to come together and do something constructive for
this country and "we the citizens".. I have felt very strongly for
years that we have a problem in this country with both the
democratic and republican parties. Neither follow the Constitution,
and neither represent the taxpaying legal U.S. citizen any longer.
Both are for HUGE ALL POWERFUL GOVERNMENT, higher taxes, endless
wars, and the decimation of freedom and the everyday citizen. They
think that they are the "elite" and we are the peons who don't know
what we really need in life. Criminality and Corruption have become
a way of life in federal, state, and many local governments, AND I
AM SICK OF IT!!! It is my hope that the Tea Party movement can make
a difference, but I am not sure the movement understands the
lateness of the hour. This country IS IN TROUBLE, and if we don't
stiffen the republicans spines to stop the many obama
unConstitutional initiatives, we will LOSE THIS COUNTRY AS A
CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC!! We must stop Kagan's nomination to the
supreme court, we must stop any more spending bills, we must stop
the cap and tax farce and the EPA sham end around, we must stop the
internet takeover, we must stop the destruction of the 2nd
amendment, the destruction goes on and on and on. IF the
republicans would stick together and fight instead of giving lip
service and then caving in, we could hold out until November when
we MUST make a difference!! I sincerely hope this explains MY
thinking and hopes for the Tea Party Movement. Sincerely, Dave from
Tulare/Visalia
I joined the TEA Party because of the way our so called leaders are
leading us down the wrong path. I am a firm believer in the
American way of life not the socialist path our current leaders are
taking us. If we all and I mean all Americans band together in the
cause the TEA Party represents we can take our country back. I hope
to see this happen as soon as possible because we cannot keep going
in the direction we are headed. Steve & JoAnn
I can no longer stand by and watch the sabotage of my great country
due to greed and complacency; feeling that the latter, I too was
guilty. I've been aware of the situation for some time now, and
like others, I felt isolated and powerless. I was traveling through
Texas last year in April and I heard about the Tea Party Tax Day
function and some of what they had to say on the radio. Finally,
like minded people to band with and try to make a difference. Lori
Coarsegold, CA
As an Army veteran, father of seven, three whom have also served; I
joined our movement to help in showing the truth of what has been
going on right in front of our eyes. We have truly become a nation
of long term memory lost and short term memory avoidance. When in
this age of the Internet and access to the information we have, how
others cannot or choose not to see what is happening to the truth
brings a true sadness. Watching everyday as government says one
thing then a few days later do a 180 to fit there needs is
criminal. To watch those who are honest and trying to make a living
while others stay on government hand outs their entire life is so
hurtful and demoralizing. I have joined our movement to try and
take down the curtain of The Wizard of Oz to show others that the
government works for us not us for them. That they represent us not
themselves as elitists and us their subjects. Kirk & Lynn
To get good conservatives elected that understand that government
does not create jobs. Goverment spends money, I create jobs. Every
job or program created by the government cost me money and I want
some official to understand that, work to spend my money with
responsible votes and respect what I want to happen. Richard from
The Red Caboose Cafe
Thanks for the opportunity to express my reasoning for joining the
Central Valley Tea Party. In my opinion, people who truly care
about our country have lost their options to preserve the union as
a constitutional republic. Both parties have long ago abandoned the
voters. Affluence has lulled two generations of citizens into an
inexcusable sleep. The vast majority of Americans have been too
lazy, selfiish or imperceptive to oppose political pork and the
consequent taxation slavery and have instead been converted into
addicts of largess. The entitlement mentality fools its adherents
into thinking utopia is still possible. Critical thinking is not an
important element in the government education system, so our
citizens do not even have the commonsense tools to look back in
history and learn from the disasters of Marxist "utopias". As a
result of the above reality, we cannot count on a political party
to make things right. I see the Tea Party as my only option and
hope for a future, politically and economically healthy America.
Members are those who still think critically. My daily political
mission all over the state of California and northern Texas is to
convince people to join the Tea Party. Richard
Obama's policies are a threat to our freedoms and our economy is
getting worse due to increased spending and Obama's plan to take
control over companies and making the government larger and larger.
Our capitalist society which brought our country to greatness and
small businesses provided jobs have suffered under his control and
policies. Only the Tea Party speaks for me on valuing our founding
fathers' beliefs and making our constitution most important.
Government fails to hear us and only through the Tea Party are my
beliefs being heard. Virginia from Visalia
Smaller government and term limits. Rick
I joined the Tea Party because I believe it stands for principles
and beliefs that America needs during these tough times. I am 20
years old but I pay great attention to politics and am really
worried about the direction our country is headed in. The debt, the
government power grabs, and the corruption in Washington has gone
too far. The American people need to stand up and demand a change
and that is what the tea party movement is all about. A young
Fresno patriot
I have been getting on my soap box for years talking to the most
influential grass roots people I constantly contact, Via, my
extraneous job. I have simply been talking to folks to let them
know what is wrong and right in out society and what is right. No
typo bad grammar, yes. I am an unknown, and will never be known but
I sound my trumpet for others, to console them and to let them know
that we are all standing together and against each other. Brevity,
"Deep meanings of our society" This is the melting pot of the
world, and will always be. What we must do is purify the steel that
we put in office. My latest mantra is elect leaders who have the
fortitude to stand on the outside to reestablish the foundations
that made America The only leader in the world worthy of its
stature. Dustan
This question posed to members of the Tea Party is unnecessary and
ludicrous. The question that needs to be asked is how do we get rid
of the personal income tax at the state and federal level. Is the
political process really up to the task, or will it take mass civil
disobedience in the refusal to file returns and pay the taxes?
To HELP take back our country form the LEFT..... The one that wants
to control every part of our life........ I know what is best for
me not some lazy ass government worker. Who like to suck off my
hard work..... Don G.
"Why did you join the Tea Party?" Sitting on the sidelines for
years hoping and naively believing that my vote was enough, I
realized within the past couple of years that our government is
completely out of control. Bail outs, industry take over’s, Czars,
tax dollars sent abroad during bad economic times, passing bills
without members reading or understanding them, passing bills that
75% of the US citizens are against are but a few of the outrageous
antics going on in Washington these days. For me, it took watching
some of the Tea Party events being held around the country to make
me realize that there were great numbers of others willing to stand
up and do more than just vote. If others with similar views are
willing to take a stand, be noticed and make a difference, than I
felt compelled to join in the effort. I used to profess “if you
don’t vote you can’t complain” well it is not enough to only vote
and then quietly complain. Our government and their allies in the
media are learning that what was once a silent majority is no
longer silent and is a force to be reckoned with. If we stand
together and do not become complacent with the passing of time, we
can make a difference not only in this November’s elections, but in
all future elections. We can take back this government and place
leaders in Washington, local offices & the State of California,
who will not fall in line with the usual corrupt crowd. With
continued pressure from the Tea Party Patriots, the leaders we send
to political offices to do our work will remember they work for us
and are bound by the US Constitution. Write, call, email your
representatives even if you know they do not agree with your views.
Keep the pressure on them and make your voice heard. Let them know
they work for you and they can and will be replaced if necessary.
Core Values: Fiscal Responsibility * Constitutional Limited
Government * Free Markets Todd Stiles Merced CA.
Why I joined the Tea Party: Our country under the Obama
administration and the Democrat party are destroying the America
That I love. Every day these idiots come up with something new to
weaken us. Obama must be a loyal student of Karl Marx because every
thing he has done so far certainly leans that way. The Patriots
belonging the Tea Party are my kind of people and I am proud to
belong. Bob from Clovis, Ca.
To Whom It May Concern: I joined the Tea Party because it is
obvious to me that our political system is corrupted by money. Our
legislators admit to spending 80% of their time pandering for
campaign finance contributions and the money comes from corporate
interests. I understand that at the end of WWII corporations
accounted for 34% of the total revenue collected by the US
Treasury. Today, Corporations account for less than 7% of the
Treasury’s revenue. So, the burden of financing this Government has
totally been shifted to the backs of the working man. Additionally
the Press is corrupted by moneyed interests. As Noam Chomsky
pointed out in his book “Manufacturing Consent”; the news goes
through 5 moneyed filters before it reaches the average American.
As an example, Ron Paul, held an actual “Tea Party” concurrent with
the last Republican convention, but it was suppressed in the news.
As a patriotic American, wouldn’t you want to know about a repeat
of our forefather’s endeavors to fend off unjust practices by the
ruling class? Not a chance of this happening in America today. So,
in conclusion, politicos only understand numbers. If the Tea Party
can gather all like-minded Americans to rally around basic
libertarian tenants, then we have a chance of regaining our
liberties. The only way to defeat the moneyed interests and the
media is through grass roots feet-on-the-ground. Michael
Actually I talked to friends about forming a huge group of people
months before the tea party was actually implemented in April 2009.
As a Real Estate Broker with very little time to tracking down
those who would help me get it started, I prayed for God to please
get the right people together and quickly. New Years Day of 2009 I
met with a Friend to discuss this. I was troubled and knew without
a strong voice, we were doomed. It was clear to me the American
people needed to ban together with one voice in order to be taken
seriously, heard and dealt with. God answered my prayer and here we
are today with a voice no one can deny. We are blessed here in the
Valley with the two Steves and Brad who have given up their lives
to a degree in order to spearhead our Tea Party and take the
responsibility of getting things done. We are blessed to have these
guys and thankful to their families for the sacrifices they have
made. I am also thankful to all the others who are playing
important roles in our Tea Party; these are folks who love our
Country. What still surprises me is that everyone on planet earth,
Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those who are not
interested in Politics are not taking the time to attend Tea Party
meetings throughout the USA. Thankfully and cumulatively, we are
strong enough to be heard and make a difference in the Political
Arena. Even with this strong voice, our very own Government is
stripping our rights and liberties at an alarming speed, destroying
our economy and leading us into disaster as a Country and I believe
it is a deliberate choice made by those elected into office. I am
proud to be a Tea Party supporter and attend every meeting
possible; to stand up and be counted and become involved in the
leadership of our beloved Country. Carole Jacoby Real Estate Broker
I joined the Tea Party because our Corrupt current administration
in our White House is totally out of control. IF I can do anything
to remove them I will. I know my vote is just about the only thing
I can do, but I intend on using it! I can only thank the organizers
that have put the TPP together. Sincerely, Lavada
My husband and I believe that when you are born free, there is no
alternative but to remain free. Being several generations from this
valley here in California I have a passion and deep respect for
agriculture. So much respect that I can remember my grandfather
telling me stories of his parents living in camp Lynell outside of
the Exeter/Farmersville area in a one room shanty dirt floor
picking peaches. As time went on, my grandfather made his way into
the CDF California Department of Forestry and latter became the
Arson Investigator for Tulare county there he retired. The point
is; farming gave them the start to be anything they wanted be and
in a state where growth and prosperity was flourishing. What has
happened? Big Government, that is what happened. I became a Tea
party member and supporter because I want the same opportunity for
my kids as my grandparents had without having to leave the State or
country. "Freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the
same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our
children and our children's children what it was once like in the
United States where men were free." -- Ronald Reagan Sincerely,
Harold & Michelle
Not hard to figure out these days... just look around. There is no
PERSONAL INTEGRITY anymore, no RESPECT, no ACCOUNTABILITY. Rome is
burning and all the able bodied firefighters are on a coffee break!
I have 3 children, whom over the years having given my husband and
I joy, tears, and lots of gray hair. However, we NEVER had to get
our children out of jail, rehab, or have teenage pregnancies to
deal with. We have been blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren,
whom I pray can have some idea of what MAYBERRY was like. I have
NEVER gotten involved in politics in my life, however, I see my
country, a country, my mother and father immigrated to from Europe
after world war II, in the hope of a better life. It sickens me
that America is becoming just like the very place they fled from.
They became Americans because they loved what American stood for,
Honor, Liberty and Justice for all.... not just the chosen few.
Everyone here had the opportunity to WORK and EARN money. The 545
people in charge, and mind you we put them there by becoming
complainant and not getting involved, have destroyed this country.
They tell us our founding fathers core values are old and out
dated... well I can tell you if it isn't broken don't mess with it.
When children no longer got raised by MOM and DAD and TV became the
babysitter...we should have been scared but we just kept on going,
attempting to keep up with the Jones'. Now we have Sex in every
shape, color and channel 24/7 and we wonder why our children have
issues. I pray for our Military, as they are the only reason we can
still walk around free, if left to government idiots' we would be
running to the mail box each week and saying hale to the President
for my weekly food ration coupons... if your old enough to know
what those are, then you know we don't want that! I have always
been proud to be an American, that will never change and I will go
down with the ship if that is what is asked of me. Thank you
Veterans' for allowing me the privilege of being able to write this
letter in ENGLISH and in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. May our flag
forever wave. One Ticked off Grandma from Fresno