The Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party movement formed spontaneously following the 2008 elections from the reaction of the American people to fiscally irresponsible actions of the federal government, misguided stimulus spending, bailouts and takeovers of private industry. Some are registered as PACs and some as 501 (c)(4) non-profit corporations.
Most Tea Party groups have as founding principles governmental fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets.
Fiscal responsibility means not overspending or corrupt allocation of tax payer money, and not burdening our children and grandchildren with our bills.
Constitutionally limited governing should be done at the most local level possible where it can be held accountable. America’s founders believed that government power should be limited, enumerated, and constrained by our Constitution. The American people make this country great, not our government.
Free market economics made America an economic superpower that for at least two centuries provided subsequent generations of Americans more opportunities and higher standards of living. An erosion of our free markets through government intervention is at the heart of America’s current economic decline, stagnating jobs, and spiraling debt and deficits.
The 2010 change in control of the U.S. House of Representatives is credited to the Tea Party movement influence. Disdained by both Republican and Democratic parties, Tea Party groups are generally on the conservative side of the political spectrum. They are completely independent local groups of citizens that bow to no common leadership. No one can dictate to them what they will stand for, who they should support or elect, or what their mission is. Some Tea groups focus on federal issues while others are more concerned about state and local policies including school boards and broadening county government control of private property rights.
No one is excluded from participation in the Tea Party movement. Race, religion, ethnicity, etc. do not prevent you from becoming involved in the movement. If you agree with their tenets, then you are welcome. Most of the members are God fearing, hard working individuals that are disenchanted with both major political parties and frustrated with “business as usual” waste of taxes in government.
In April 2011, a group of area citizens met to form the Waupaca Area Patriots Tea Party. The mission of the Waupaca Area Patriots is to promote the values of the Constitution of the United State of America. This is a very broad statement, but encompasses the principles listed above.
The group meets at the Dayton town hall at 8:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Our website is www.waupacapatriots.com and mailing address is P.O. Box 13, Waupaca 54981.
If you have similar reservations or concerns about is happening to your country and community, you are encouraged to attend the regular monthly meetings.