What does the Tea Party actually stand for?

Is this different at the local level? I know a lot of my neighbors and they are not as self-centered as I have seen in the national spokespeople. If it is truly a grassroots organization that wants responsible change I will have common ground with them as well. But again, I insist that America remain true to the founders dream of a compromise nation. America is NOT, “my way or the highway”.

Nor do I believe that destroying the few regulatory limits we have on companies or industries is a good thing. The disasters we have felt the last few years have been created by companies that put profits first and everything else second. Removing the brakes from financial institutions created the melt-down we are are paying for right now.

We saw Democrats and Republicans reach slightly towards a middle ground during the debates on the debt ceiling. Neither side gave very much but it was enough to find an uncomfortable common area to have a reasonable conversation. The process was derailed by strident Tea Party demands that NO compromise was possible. The Tea Party had no interest, desire or intention of allowing others to have any part in the final decision.

The abject surrender of the President only fed the Tea Party agenda and gave them more legitimacy.What he got from this self-serving decision was a guarantee he will not face the debt-ceiling argument during an election year. Frankly, I expect better from the leader of the free world.

I share many of the core beliefs espoused by the Republican Party. I do think that each person should be responsible for their own situation in life and work to achieve the goals they set for themselves. Life is not a guarantee to anyone and if you’re not willing to work you should not expect to be handed success.

However, I do not agree that legislating morality is a function of government. Personal choices should remain just that – a personal choice that is made without a third person. Teach your own children what is moral behavior according to your faith and do not presume to teach mine – I will do the same for yours.

Also, I have seen what Republicans do when they get into power in Oklahoma. Governor Mary Fallen and her ODTR appointee Deby Snodgrass immediately shut down major tourism attractions in our district. Without any type of public forum, with no chance to offer alternatives, seven parks and the employees were summarily dismissed from the ODTR system losing us jobs and tourism income. Employees of the affected parks who should have been provided safety by Oklahoma Statutes 74:2242.1 are still waiting to find out if the Governor and Deby Snodgrass are willing to abide by state law (not that Democrats do any better).

Republicans quickly took aim at the working people of Oklahoma by removing their rights to form unions if they happen to be city employees.

So who is next? What right will the next elected Republican take away from you? Nationally, the Republicans seem to be controlled by an activist minority who want to shove their narrow view of the world down your throat.

I actually share several of the core values espoused by the Democratic Party. I firmly believe that our society is rich enough and moral enough to be able to provide assistance to those who do need help for one reason or another. My problem with them is they seem unwilling to obey the laws of our land when they see benefit to the party – especially when it comes to immigration.

I have watched the leader of the Democratic Party (the President) blatantly flaunt the laws of our country with his attempts to provide blanket amnesty to criminals. Instead of calling him on this, I watch leading Democrats actively support him and even say he doesn’t go far enough.

Just as Republicans pick and choose which laws they will follow, the Democrats want the same for themselves. They want to grant amnesty and give citizenship to millions of criminals who not only flout our laws but demand they be given the same rights as our own citizens. The lure of millions of new voters to support the Democratic party has leaders frothing at the mouth to find new, illegal ways to get their support.

Frankly, I want to ask them why we have laws at all if they feel it is their right to pick and choose which to obey.

Although I share core beliefs of both major parties, I insist that whatever answers are found to our nation’s problems by Congress, the answers must include solutions that work for eastern Oklahoma. Congress as a whole must have support of the individual Representatives to make any changes. The one and only touchstone I will use to support the Congressional Legislative Agenda is this:

“Will this be good for the people of eastern Oklahoma?”

The answer must be yes or my vote will be no. Notice that I do not point to any particular party agenda or special interests. You, the working people of my district, will be my one and only special interest. I am not a friend of illegal immigrants or those who want to reward criminals. Business will find me friendly and cooperative until they want to gouge our citizens. Then I will move to protect the public interest, not those of faceless shareholders who truly have no stake in our local issues.

Our district needs jobs; we need infrastructure that will allow us to attract new industries and open up opportunities to Oklahoma. We do not seek handouts; only the chance to work and support our families, transmitting the culture of faith and hard work that created us.

We need to send a person to Congress that understands the problems and issues facing the working people of Oklahoma. Our incumbent has made some serious mistakes by siding with special interest big business and these mistakes must be corrected. This is your chance to make a difference. Please do not let apathy deny you this chance to send your friend to Congress.

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