by Valerie Pierzina
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~~While I have always been politically-minded, I was never actively involved in any political organization until after the election and inauguration of our current President, Barack Obama. The “historic” election and the obvious shift towards a new, socialist America motivated me to become involved, just as it did for so many others in this great nation of ours. Knowing I was a conservative Republican, I chose to become active in my county’s Republican Party. Countless other Americans decided to get involved too. Some chose to join this new conservative revolution by also joining the Republican Party, while others went to the Libertarians or Constitutionalists. The vast majority of folks, however, joined the “TEA Party” movement, which subscribes to conservative principles but, despite its name, refuses any “party” identification or label. New to the political scene some of these newfound activists may not have realized the ideas of less spending, smaller government, and personal responsibility actually were the very platform of the Republican Party. Most were likely well aware of this fact, but no longer trusted the GOP to uphold these principles. It is up to Republicans to regain that trust.
~~The TEA Party is inspiring and powerful. It is also principled. It is not about winning or losing or any of the usual games of politics. It is about something much more pure, something much less demagogic and more ideologic. It is about keeping this nation one of freedom as our founders’ imagined, adhering to the Constitution as our founders’ intended, and preserving the aforementioned for future generations. In a word, it is about Liberty.
~~I consider myself first and foremost a Republican, but I am also proud to say I am active in the TEA Party as well. After all, we are all on the same side essentially, the side of conservatism and constitution. I was surprised to find that not so many think as I do, however. What I have discovered instead is that many longtime, active-party Republicans are not that open to tea partiers or comfortable with the movement that has taken hold. It is almost as though they feel offended that the TEA Party did not turn to the GOP or that the old-guard Republican establishment did not come up with the idea themselves. In some respect, I do understand the Republican predicament. It is a catch-22. The media and Democrats initially wanted to brand the TEA Party as nothing more than Republican orchestrated “astro-turf.” The leaders of the GOP recognized this set-up immediately. Republicans wanted to acknowledge the TEA Party for the grassroots movement for which it is and therefore did not claim the TEA Party as its own. Yet, by not declaring the TEA Party “Republican,” at least in association, many tea partiers felt they did not have a home in the GOP after all. I believe this is where the conflict between the two groups began, which is unfortunate. The Republican Party simply cannot lose out on this opportunity to gain Republican voters (notice I did not say members) this election. The TEA Party needs to find it has friends in the GOP, for the GOP most certainly has friends in the TEA Party!
~~Failing to recognize the TEA Party’s influence on our current political scene is a disservice not only to the TEA Party movement but also the very Republican candidates the GOP is trying to get elected. Especially because conservative Republican candidates, for the most part, have done a great job involving the TEA Party. Democrat candidates have not. That alone should speak volumes with no “TEA Party endorsement” required. I do not believe the TEA Party needs to make endorsements or declare their allegiance to any one party either; the appeal, and clout, of the TEA Party movement is their independence. That independence is why they are a force to be reckoned with and have influence over voters more than any single political party or organization on our political landscape. It also should be stressed that their ambiguity of party affiliation does not mean Republicans cannot co-exist with them and work toward a common goal.
~~I cannot for the life of me understand why some Republicans seem more than willing to lose out on this glaring opportunity. Is it pride or vanity or having to answer to others? Are such people members of the party truly for the cause of conservatism or is it more for ego-stroking and self-aggrandizing? I pray it truly is for the cause and members of the Republican Party can capture some of the excitement and motivation the TEA Party movement brings.
~~Along with the TEA Party as a whole, there are also a slew of single-cause conservative groups that I assert the GOP needs to be more inclusive of. I believe firmly in the idea of a conservative coalition, an alliance, if you will, with such groups as Fair Tax, Americans for Prosperity, Pro-Life organizations, Open Carry groups, the NRA, and countless others that are on the side of conservatism but choose to dedicate their time to one specific cause, rather than the party as a whole. We should not be fearful of their commitment to their cause. Rather, Republicans need to be bold, brave, and unapologetic for our conservative principles. We should take pride in defending our fellow conservative groups. It is time that we learn to stand up, speak out, and assert ourselves like the left has done with so much success for so many years! If we truly are the party that reveres the Constitution and seeks to protect 1st Amendment and 2nd Amendment rights, it is time we do so actively and openly, not with just talk.
~~It is my assertion, my plea, if you will, that the GOP openly embrace the TEA Party (as well as other conservative groups). The TEA Party, too, must see that their best bet is likely with Republican candidates, but this will only be realized if the GOP gives the TEA Party the recognition it deserves. There simply must be a way for these two conservative power-houses to work effectively together and respectfully apart. If there is not, we will all lose, and I am not just talking about losing seats in the House and Senate. We will lose freedoms and liberties, rights and protections, the likes of which our founding fathers could never have imagined. We have a grand opportunity, right here, right now, to prevent that from happening and to change the course our country is headed. Let’s not waste it.
