Tea Party -- We are the Pruners

by: bonnie alba | published: 06 17, 2010

“The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt, are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife.” Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Spencer Roane, March 9, 1821

“The natural cure for an ill-administration, in a popular or representative constitution, is a change of men.” Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 21, 1787

The Urgency in the air is almost palpable. The Tea Party movement is already making inroads into the political arena in the primaries and sure to claim some victories in the November midterm election. But will it be enough to slow down the present government from trampling the U.S. Constitution and continue burying America in unsustainable debt? No, but it’s a start.

Since Pres. Obama took office, congressional Gop incumbents have been the “no” vote to almost everything Obama and the Democrats have conjured up from their leftist pockets. But TP citizens know that those same Republicans, with few exceptions, were “yes” before Pres. Obama took office. This is why TP citizens will be vigilant and cast eagle eyes on records of remaining incumbents and new electees.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is not up for reelection until 2014. One recent poll showed decreased support of 40 percent. The next four years will be a make-or-break time for him; what issues he clings to and if he repeats the major mistake he made with the 2007 Immigration “Amnesty” bill and Cap ‘n Trade. Sure to reoccur with Obama. Whatever Obama and company might have hidden up their sleeves, Graham’s TP constituents will be watching. He is sure to observe how his buddy Sen. McCain (R-AZ) fares in November.

Meanwhile there are differing opinions among Republican leaders and Congressional incumbents. Much has been said about the Republican Party co-opting the Tea Party movement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Party affiliation is not the issue. The Tea Party is pursuing a “take back” of both major parties. They have both strayed from their moorings.

One senator who showed his misunderstanding of the Tea Party movement is Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx). When asked about the Tea Party, he stated, “These are Americans who are concerned about the government and spending and debt, so we ought to be able to find a way to be responsive to them, I don’t consider them outliers or unwelcome.”

Outliers or Unwelcome? Please examine that statement carefully. It speaks to a lack of basic understanding on the part of Cornyn and many other incumbents. Yes, we are concerned, make that alarmed, at the growth in government, spending and debt. They fail to see that we are a diverse people united under the U.S. Constitution. We elected them to office to abide by our Founders’ documents. We expected them to take their constitutional oath and responsibilities of leadership seriously.

In many states, what TP participants are experiencing is “Education.” Local TP leaders are holding history education classes across the nation. Yes, the TP is fired up to learn the U.S. History that public schools omitted for over 60-70 years. They are absorbing the original intent of the founding fathers and realizing the people have failed along with government.

Our continuing political education has made us aware we can’t rely on development of a third party. At this moment, the TP participants do not have much faith in either party and their leadership. Those front-line leaders have failed to address the concerns that Sen. Cornyn and others have so pointedly stated. The voters who elected him booed him at a July 4, 2009 Austin, Texas Tea Party rally.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) could give both parties some lessons in history.

Many citizens will adhere to their respective Republican or Democrat party, but they will vote according to their educated awareness. TP citizens will track incumbent voting records and determine if they are doing their constitutional jobs.

The TP effect will be felt in all the primary states and particularly in the November election. For opponents of the TP, if they think the movement will die down after this election, that TP Americans will return to their caves, resume being good little consumers, and stick their heads in the sand again --- it’s too late for that. The citizens are energized from the bottom up.

It may take a few elections but the TP Pruners stand ready to trim the overgrown governmental vineyard.

© Bonnie Alba 2010

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