Egypt's upheaval provides dramatic contrast to the most recent, orderly American revolution. And, as we approach two years since the tea party explosion, one can be awed by its success at shifting our American political poles. Especially notable: How the grass-roots movement has conducted its business. With rare exceptions, it's been the role model of revolutions.
Our own East Valley tea parties have played a strong role in Arizona's revolt against the intrusive feds. Combined with others within the state, it can be said, they have evolved into some of the strongest in the nation. How strong? The state's new Republican party chairman, Tom Morrissey, an East Valley resident, is reported to have tea party affiliation. He definitely has tea party backing.
I turned to a tea party power couple in the East Valley for an assessment. Steve and Denna Ray of Mesa, a retired couple with 10 children, were drawn to the front lines out of concern for their 20 grandchildren's futures.
"How important is the tea party movement today?" I asked. Their answer: "Remove them from the political picture and who is left, that wasn't there before? The Republicans and Democrats - pushing us right into socialism."
They point out even conservative media couldn't force the tipping point.
The Rays won't take credit for their success: "We could no more give an account of the history of the rise of the tea party movement without recognizing divine intervention than can legitimate historians tell the story of the establishment of this nation without acknowledging our creator's involvement."
Steve summarizes their journey: "Our first tax protest on April 15, 2009 at Gilbert Town Hall, we hoped for 150-300. We feared no one would show up. One-thousand to 2,500 did. Mainstream media reported over 1,000; supporters claimed 2,500.
"During that first year we started weekly meetings using Dr. Skousen's best seller, ‘The 5,000 Year Leap,' as our text to study the 28 principles of responsible government incorporated into the U.S. Constitution. We started with 40 to 50 in weekly attendance and grew from there.
"In October 2009 we moved from Gilbert to Mesa and founded the Red Mountain Tea Party Group with Randy Hatch.
"During 2010 we co-founded or assisted in the establishment of the Mountain View, Pioneer, Glendale, Tempe and various other tea party groups.
"Currently we are assisting in the battle to return the Republican Party to constitutionally conservative candidates. This pits us against the John McCain cabal of R.I.N.O.s."
But, the Rays gladly note that Randy Pullen, (then Arizona GOP chairman) and Rob Haney (presently the Maricopa County GOP chairman) have been supportive.
"The work is far from over as we encourage precinct chairmen to teach constitutional principles," Steve says. "How can we be successful in supporting good candidates if we don't understand the principles of good government?"
Steve and Denna offer fruits from their hard earned journey to others who are anxious to get involved. At no charge, they will assist any group, under any name, how to teach the constitution and promote responsible government. Those interested can contact: teapartybuilders@gmail.com.
The Rays see this movement as "a state by state battle. Each will rise or fall depending on their commitment to the constitution (natural law) and jealously preserving the balance of power (the 10th Amendment)." They point to strong families as the foundation to strong communities and states: "Healthy states will establish a vibrant and peaceful nation. There is no other solution."
Critics of the tea party's amazing, violent-less challenges to decades of crippling policy, sneer at and belittle the movement. But, I implore the naysayers to offer viable alternatives in the same spirit. Go ahead. A nation is waiting.
—
East Valley resident Linda Turley-Hansen (turleyhansen@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist and former Phoenix veteran TV anchor.
EmperorSmith posted at 3:12 pm on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
Who should I hate?
Accuracy posted at 11:44 am on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
Linda Turley-Hansen’s column about “How important is the tea party movement today?” was outstanding. Just like the “Despite critics, tea parties have impact” commentary she published January 29, 2010.
Steve and Denna Ray of Mesa and hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans demonstrated at Tea Party meetings in communities all across the USA last year, and more than 40 candidates supported by the Tea Party were elected to the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
"The Tea Party" (consisting of Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, and millions of patriotic Americans) is a take-back-the-government movement, and is a movement based in unrest over heavy government spending and intrusion, and has shown unbridled enthusiasm nation-wide.
President Barack Obama publicly criticized the Tea Party movement last year, and he described the core of the group as being "on the fringe." Liberal Democrats continue to position themselves as the opponents of the Tea Party and middle-American.
But, the Tea Party is a movement based in unrest (by activists) over heavy government spending and intrusion, and has shown unbridled enthusiasm nation-wide. We all say "Good for you and this nation!" Our country doesn’t belong to Washington and certainly not the president.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:45 am on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
Actually as Mormons, the Rays should have nothing to do with tea bags or tea for that matter, and neither should Linda!
Poorman posted at 10:06 am on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
Have to go with poster Carolyn on this one,Maybe the Ray's could start the Used Tea Bag Party or something.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:44 am on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
OK, Linda,
Another feel good piece, full of sound and furry but saying absolutely nothing. We are given to know how to stand in line, even join the Tea Partiers, but told nothing about what they stand for. Apparently if your sole is not at rest, you are to join with others who are also upset.
If saying "a state by state battle. Each will rise or fall depending on their commitment to the constitution (natural law) and jealously preserving the balance of power (the 10th Amendment)." They point to strong families as the foundation to strong communities and states: "Healthy states will establish a vibrant and peaceful nation. There is no other solution" is the best quote you can cite, try harder to say something substantial next time.
Which is worse? Do gooders or feel gooders! Clearly Linda likes feel gooders.
Carolyn posted at 8:42 am on Wed, Feb 16, 2011.
I never said that The Rays were not nice people, but they are "typical" of what I said above. I am very well aware of the background of Denna. However, their agenda is basically just "anti-government," which is the bulwark theory of the extreme right, Tea Party or NO Tea Party. Then, to bring religion into the mix - well, I find that just inexcusable. The Tea Party movement offers NO solutions and will never offer any solutions - they're just "anti-government." The Rays should have been alive during the Great Depression, as my parents were. Thank GOD for "the government."
getreal2105 posted at 9:21 pm on Tue, Feb 15, 2011.
"implore the naysayers to offer viable alternatives in the same spirit. Go ahead. A nation is waiting."
OK, first of all the Tea Party does lack organized leaders with a viable agenda. Please review the Tea Parties proposed tax cuts, please. If they ever got their way unemployment would be over 15% nation wide. The tea Party lacks common sense to a problem that has been evolving for many decades, not just the past few years. Their beliefs don't account for decades of federal policy that has no put America into unmanageable debt, this can't be solved with just a quick "lets cut taxes and spending with a chain saw" They miss the fact most middle to high income jobs in AZ are based on federal contracts and these trickle down to hundreds of businesses large and small. The Tea Party lacks a valid agenda or solutions to a very large problem that will take a balanced approach and decades to fix.....
Slabside posted at 7:19 pm on Tue, Feb 15, 2011.
"Critics of the tea party's amazing, violent-less challenges to decades of crippling policy, sneer at and belittle the movement." See the above poster for proof of this.
Carolyn posted at 5:53 pm on Tue, Feb 15, 2011.
Everyone who knows "the Rays" knows that they are a very EXTREME right-wing wacko LDS couple who can never, ever escape bringing religion in to everything, including their political beliefs. . What we have here are a comple of ignorant non-thinkers who are obsessed with their own little agenda. THey're "cute and cuddly" (note the 10 children - that tells a lot in this day and age) - but their Tea Party organizatoinal movement lacks intellectual credibility or substance.