Tea Party Primer

I am a proud Tea Party supporter, and have attended more than one protest, including the huge gathering on the Nation's Capitol on 9/12/09. This is a movement of ideas, but not a political party in the conventional sense. It is more a shorthand description for individuals and organizations with similar beliefs banding together. Those beliefs include the shared core values of personal and governmental fiscal responsibility, Constitutionally limited government, and a preference for free market economic policies.

When followed, those values result in greater individual freedom and less government control over individual citizens, attributes the founders of this nation considered necessary for our Republic to succeed.

There is no single "Tea Party”, no one voice that speaks for everyone. Several groups, both new and old, are working independently and in cooperation with one another to promote the shared values described above. This is confusing to some, because there is no hierarchy, but I believe this grassroots movement reflects exactly the kind of individual responsibility that our nation needs.

I'm sure there are many more, but the following are national groups I know about. PLEASE use the comments field to mention others I have missed, and provide contact information if possible. I would love to provide a resource for those who are just now becoming politically aware and are searching for information.

Some National Organizations [in alphabetical order]:

9.12 Project http://www.the912project.com/
This organization was started on 3/13/2009 by Glenn Beck, though he no longer actively leads it. The website promotes his “9 Principles and 12 Values” [good stuff] and acts as a clearinghouse for information as well as coordinating small groups that meet regularly around the country. Over one million Americans have joined since its inception.

FreedomWorks http://www.freedomworks.org/
Freedomworks was established 20 years ago to promote limited government and lower taxes. The million-plus members are in multiple chapters around the country. This group has an educational focus, and provides speakers for training seminars. They also were the primary force behind the 9/12/09 WDC protest [though logistics were largely coordinated by Tea Party Patriots]

National Tea Party Federation http://www.thenationalteapartyfederation.com/
From their website, “The NTPF is established to create a unified message and media response amongst key leadership and their affiliates. “ There are approximately 400-500,00 member organizations and individuals. This coalition strives to provide a clear, unified media message that promotes the core values of the movement.

Tea Party Express http://www.teapartyexpress.org/
This is the group that put on the cross-country bus tours and rallies leading up to 9/12/09. They have now moved into direct candidate support mode, declaring it is time to “put down your protest signs and pick up campaign signs.”
There has been quite a bit of controversy over the leadership here, because the co-founder, Mark Williams, had to resign due to outrageous racial slurs he made publicly. The other groups listed here have distanced themselves from TPE. The current TPE leadership has stated that the comments were “not representative of the TPE,” but questions still linger.

Tea Party Patriots http://www.teapartypatriots.org/
From their website, TPP is, “the only national organization dedicated solely to the recruitment, education, training and empowerment of individuals and groups that identify with the tea party movement,” and is a “completely grassroots, bottom-up organization, made up of over 2,500 chapters spanning every state in the nation.” There are now over 20 million members, and they do not endorse specific candidates.

A recent poll shows that 73% of Americans believe the government has too much power over citizens’ lives. If you agree, please become informed and take action in the days ahead. PLEASE learn about the candidates in your districts, and find ways to connect with others who share your convictions.