T.E.A. Party Heaven or T.E.A. Party Hell

I have never before (until this year) been a political activist. I don’t’ even know if I am one now. What I do know, is that I don’t like what is going on in this country. My opinions are just that, opinions. But they are mine, and I have every right to state them.

I am sure that the content of this letter is going to offend many. If I offend you, I am sorry. I am sorry that people cannot have a difference of opinion without causing a riot. I am sorry that individuals are now considered 'radical right wing extremists' for being anti-abortion, owning a gun and/or wanting to protect the sanctity of marriage. I am sorry that our country has made it to a place (in less than one hundred days of a new government administration) where people are vocalizing the possibility of secession.

I really, really, really wanted Barack Obama to succeed. He inherited a mess. However, he inherited a mess that I believed in. I believe that protecting our freedoms and nation are of the utmost importance. Freedom ISN'T free, and people have forgotten the sacrifices made by our founding fathers for this nation. They paid a hefty price, a price that people now dismiss as trivial.

Never the less, I wanted him to be successful. Unfortunately, I cannot turn a blind eye to some of the ideas being perpetuated throughout this nation through the completely biased media (left and right alike). I am afraid of the things that are currently happening, and I refuse to lay down and let it all happen around me.

Things That I Believe Desperately Need to Be Fixed

1. Stop bailing out companies that have shown ZERO fiscal responsibility with their own money. Now they are showing ZERO fiscal responsibility with ours.

BAIL OUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND LET THEIR SPENDING DECIDE
WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES.
LET CAPITALISM DECIDE, NOT SOCIALISM

2. Personally, I think we need to enforce the laws already on the books regarding illegal aliens. Deportation works for me. However, my backup plan states make 'em all legal, give 'em all social security numbers and let them pay taxes...no social, no services. NO MORE SUBSIDIZING ILLEGAL ALIENS. You don't have a green card, go home to get the services from the nation you are a citizen of. In short, if you aren’t putting anything in, then you can’t take anything out.

3. Dump the tax code. Up to $20,000 is tax free. From $20,001 up, you pay 10% flat across the board. No more deductions, no more write-offs, no more code to manipulate. FLAT TAX all the way.

4. Get a new Legislative Branch of Government. It's time to kick 'em all to the curb, institute term limits and get fresh blood from MAIN STREET USA to help determine the direction of this country. Those that are currently in office, have seriously lost touch with reality.

5. We need to protect the sanctity of marriage. Look, I know this is major spot of contention. I am not saying that there shouldn't be something for homosexual couples. I just don't think it should be called marriage. Marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Call yours something else, be eligible for all of the rights of married heterosexual couples and move on. Stop taking away my rights because you chose to live differently. You made a decision to live differently, so it is YOUR responsibility to come up with something that doesn't take away from others. Leave marriage alone.

I understand that I have likely offended many. I also realize that there are some things beyond the control of ‘every man’. Regardless, whether you agree with me or not, don't be quiet. Quiet signals that you are happy with the status quo. What is currently going on is NOT okay. We need to stand up and be vocal about what we believe. While voicing your opinion, remember to listen as well. If you want someone to respect your opinion, try respecting theirs. It is absolutely okay to agree to disagree.

I love this nation. I love that we can have differing opinions. I love that we can have peaceful demonstrations to say we don't like what is going on. And as irritating as it is, I love that people can completely misconstrue the realities around them and classify an entire group of people as extremists (even if they are wrong) because the constitution gives them that right.
So, write your congressmen, write your senators and even email the president to tell him or her what you think.

http://www.senate.gov/
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Now is the time to make the constitution and the rights therein personal. Use those guaranteed freedoms, or one day they may disappear.

Lessons Learned

1. Even if I think things are screwy right now, at least I still have the right to post this.

2. If you have a different opinion...GOOD FOR YOU. But play nice children.

3. I feel so much more like a patriot for exercising the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

4. The saying goes, "Give me liberty or give me death." Not, "Give me liberty or give me debt." What kind of choice is that?

5. I feel so much better by putting all of this out there.