What was at first plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.
– Thomas Paine
On Wednesday, America’s biggest homework assignment of the year is due. The government chose the middle of April because in the springtime, as our fancy turns to other things, we may be too busy to notice that our pockets are being picked. Even if we do notice, politicians hope we’ve forgotten about it by the first Tuesday in November. But if the so-called “tea parties” continue to catch on, those days are in danger of coming to an end.
In late February, I attended one of the tea parties in Lansing, Mich., and will be there again Wednesday (Tax Day). That event will be one of many around the country, and the attendance is growing with time.
I’ve been asked before about what exactly the point of it all is – every tea partier has his or her own reason. But my motivation, in spite of more recent events precipitated by a liberal president and liberal Congress that have sped up the downward spiral – is relatively nonpartisan. This country has been run into serious trouble due to incompetent management over a number of years by both political parties, and it simply cannot continue without threatening everything for which this country stands.
Think of tea parties as “awareness campaigns” directed at politicians and voters. After all, politicians can’t have the opportunity to drive our national vehicle over a cliff unless voters hand them the keys.
Why do others go to tea parties? For some it’s wildly excessive and confusing tax laws. Others attend out of concern for their children and grandchildren, who are born in debt. Some attend because they’re maddened that the same glorious policies that have made Detroit look like Bangladesh after a garbage haulers strike are being introduced on a national level; a few no doubt show up because they’re upset that the same people who created these massive problems are charged with fixing them while others don’t want their country sold out to some global entity. At one tea party, I saw a man who had a sign that said “‘Government job’ is a contradiction in terms.” Many show up for the reason of “all of the above.”
For me, at least in part, these tea parties are about putting an end to a long trail of waste that’s corroding the heart and soul of what made the United States a strong, powerful world leader and a bastion of freedom where individual dreams can come true for those who dare work toward them. When I say “waste,” I’m not speaking about a waste of money (though obviously that’s a major problem), but rather the tragic waste of American ingenuity, innovation, creativity and philanthropy.
Think about the monumental cost in time, intellect and capital that are wasted to satisfy insane government demands and out-of-control spending.
I attend the tea parties as a way of showing that it saddens me to know that people who might have otherwise cured a horrible disease, designed grand buildings, created art and music, invented a car that runs on kumquats that people actually want to buy, expanded their businesses, explored the farthest reaches of the universe or had more time to devote to charity are now spending most of their energy trying to figure out a way to write off their lawnmowers as dependents.
It’s a waste, and it’s an insult to those who helped build this great nation, and to those who have died defending it.
I also attend as a way to show disdain with the fact that generations of kids are growing up being brainwashed with the idea that “theft” is justifiable, constitutional and even noble provided the victim earns an amount of money randomly decided by a bunch of vermin in Washington, D.C. The madness simply has to stop.
That’s why I’m attending a tea party. How about you?
This might be the dumbest anti-hate campaign ever
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