Patriot Backlash Spurs Emergent Tea Party Group
The Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773, was a watershed event in American history. Contemporary protesters hope to recapture that energy this April 15th when similar tea parties are held in cities all across America.
Americans are fed up. At least that is the opinion of the people who head up the Nationwide Tea Party Coalition (NTPC), a movement formed by three grassroots organizations who are standing in opposition to the out-of-control spending emanating from Washington, DC.
The Dontgo Movement (Dontgo), Top Conservatives On Twitter (TCOT) and Smart Girl Politics (SGP) banded together last month to hold a tea party event in Chicago, the forerunner of a nationwide tax protest phenomenon which will be repeated in more than 150 cities on April 15, 2009.
Newt Gingrich Throws In His Support
Now, one of the heavy hitters from the conservative movement has announced his endorsement and support of what is called the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party. Newt Gingrich, who led the Republican Revolution in 1994 which has been widely credited with turning back President Clinton’s liberal push is bringing his own organization, American Solutions for Winning the Future alongside to help.
The Gingrich led group is self-billed as “a unique non-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most important issues facing our country.” Formed on September 27, 2007, American Solutions holds an annual event called Solutions Day which is “…focused on providing citizens with the tools, knowledge, and training needed to transform government oat all levels — from school boards and city councils to state legislatures and Congress.”
Taking A Page From The Boston Tea Party
The tax day protest is taking a page from the Boston Tea Party, a watershed event in American history where colonialists disguised themselves as Native Americans and threw tea into Boston Harbor to protest British taxation without political representation. That event was one of many which signaled to Americans that their separation from the British Empire was pending.
Eric Odom, Chairman of the DontGo Movement, shares his comments about the April 15th event: “Building on the free market ideas of our founding fathers, and embracing the passion they shared to bring them to light, the Nationwide Tea Party Movement is giving voice to tens of thousands of Americans.” Added Stacy Mott, President of Smart Girl Politics, “Average Americans do not support mortgaging away our children’s futures, and the time to speak out against it is now.”
The speed at which the movement is growing may be surprising some people but given the spending packages passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in addition to trillions more expected to be spent, a sense of urgency seems to be at hand.
If you’re planning to attend an event in your area, feel free to post that information here for our readership.
Tags: Dontgo, Nationwide Tea Party Coalition, Smart Girt Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter
Politics | Matthew C. Keegan, 18 Mar 09
By LuAnn, March 19, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
There was one group suggesting sending a tea bag to the White House w/a “we are taxed enough”-type message.
By Matthew C. Keegan, March 19, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
That might work, LuAnn! However, I would be afraid that Homeland Security would take it all wrong and hunt down everyone who sends tea to the White House.
By mickey, March 19, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
I will be sending my tea bag on the 1st. I guess you could leave your return address off of it if DHS is a concern. The message would be sent if a large number is mailed in to the White House. I will be looking forward to the 15th too.
By LarryJackson, March 19, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
Sooner or later, the American people are going to get tired of being taxed to death so someone else can have an extravagant lifestyle. It looks like that time is going to come sooner rather than later.
LarryJacksons last blog post..CNN’s Campbell Brown on Chris Dodd and the Treasury Department
By Matthew C. Keegan, March 20, 2009 @ 5:02 am
@ Mickey — Homeland Security probably isn’t all that much of a concern, so I may join you with sending out a similar sentiment. Imagine the White House being bombarded with millions of tea bags — that should be interesting!
@ Larry — Some segments of the American populace seem to be waking up. Yet, I still find that there is a core group of people who think that we’re still on the right track, especially with the trillions of dollars in government spending.
By Darren, March 29, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Hey everyone what do you guys thing of the http://www.fairtax.org web site?
By Matthew C. Keegan, March 29, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Looks like a decent plan, Darren. Sure beats what we have in place with the IRS and if it covers local and state taxes, then it could be a winning idea.
By John C. Rich, April 1, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
Kerr County Taxpayers Tea Party will be held at the Kerr County Courthouse on April 15th, 2009 @ 11:00 am.
By Matthew C. Keegan, April 1, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Thanks, John! While I’m at it, I need to share what is taking place in my area:
The grassroots group NC New American Tea Party will hold a Tea Party April 15. There will be two demonstrations that day, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse on New Bern Ave. and from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at State Capitol (east side).