Letter to the editor - July 28, 2010
The Tea Party Purpose
After reading the Speak Out in the Saturday, July 3 Press Gazette, I get the impression Raymond is a little confused about the intent of the Boston Tea Party and the Tea Party organization of today.
The Boston Tea Party was a resistance movement by colonists throughout British America against The Tea Act. It had nothing to do with taking land from anyone as Raymond accused. Colonists believed a tax on tea violated their right to be taxed only by their own elected representatives. Protestors chose to destroy the tea. The Boston Tea Party became an important event in the growth of the American Revolution.
British Parliament responded by closing Boston’s commerce until the British India Tea Company had been repaid for the destroyed tea. The colonists responded by forming the First Continental Congress. This resistance to the British monarch escalated to the American Revolutionary War that began near Boston in 1775.
On February 19, 2009, Business News Network Editor Rick Santelli suggested in an interview the possibility of putting together a “Chicago Style Tea Party in July.” By the next day, the name “Tea Party” had become national news. Tea Party websites were popping up all over the country, and 11,000 people a day were signing up. Today, over 14million people are Tea Party members. These members include republicans, democrats, and independents of all races.
The purpose of the Tea Party has never been about taking land. The movement is about protecting our country and the Constitution upon which we were founded, not allowing a progressive administration force an agenda like health care and bailouts on we the people, and preserving our standing in the world which has been greatly diminished since January of 2009.
Barack Obama was not elected president because of the color of his skin, but because he made a lot of promises that were too good to be true. As more of our rights are being stripped from us, more people are acknowledging the fact that we were scammed.
Raymond accuses the Tea Party of a land grab at the same time Obama has hijacked our Constitution. He also accuses the Tea Party of bigotry and being disrespectful at the same time Acorn and SEIU union members invade Tea Party rallies and beat up peaceful protestors. Perhaps Raymond has forgotten the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said he dreams of the day when his children would one day sit down and feast at the table of brotherhood. The table had been prepared and Raymond refuses to sit at it. He is living in the past and the world is passing him by. He continues to fan the embers of something that is just not there. Raymond can call us all the names he wants to, but name calling never brought people together, it never brought countries together, and it never got treaties signed. Remember, we don’t have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand with the people of our community.
Our nation has over three hundred million souls in constant flow. As human beings, we are powerful and magnificent. We are unique in this universe because God chose us to be here at this time. This country is too big for it’s people to be inactive, and there is a difference in the things we do and the things we don’t do. There is something for everyone to do like register to vote, make phone calls, write letters to the editor, email people in political positions, or join a Tea Party.
Our country is beautiful, and it’s the only home we have. Take care of it or not, it’s up to us.
Marian Royals
Milton, Fla.
