Dear Patriot:
It is our highest privilege and obligation as American citizens to participate in freedom of speech, political activity and voting. It is our duty and moral obligation as Americans to: peaceable assemble, to speak freely and often, to contact our representatives and to participate in electing qualified men and women to public office. We not only owe this to ourselves and our neighbors but to future generations. We are fighting for our children and in a very real sense for the free world itself. Remember that you are not alone; there are more with us than against us.
Showing up is 90% of the victory. You as a Patriot must have self discipline, self-respect, pride in your personal associations, and pride in our great nation and it's Constitution. You must seek to maintain a high sense of commitment to your fellow patriots and patriot leaders. Self-confidence grows by demonstrating your ability to follow through on commitments and tasks. Whether it is writing your representatives, hosting a tea part, participating in a rally, or making one more phone call -- you gain self confidence and self respect by your actions.
Now is the time. Patriots do not give in to the notion that everything will be all right if we just lay low and not get involved. Our country needs us now, not later. History is full of tragic accounts of those who thought difficulties would pass if they just laid low and not gotten involved. This is not the time to dig in or hide, we are not in retreat and we are not an underground movement. Now is the time to rise up and move forward. Now is the time to get involved. Now is the time to encourage each other to stick with it day after day.
Your daily activity is important. Many of our elected representatives do not yet understand how many of us are in the Tea party movement but this is changing. Some have tried to label us as an "Astroturf" movement thinking that our emails are orchestrated by some rich sugar daddy like a Republican equivalent of Democrat George Soros (the 29th riches man in the world worth $11-billion). You and I know the Tea party movement is not "Astroturf", so we can hold our heads high and laugh at these belittling comments. We have been labeled as “racists” by many including Janeane Garofalo. We are not racists, but Americans exercising our Constitutional rights. Let's keep our good humor and hold our heads high as more and more join with us in the healing of America.
This is what the Tea-party movement is all about: bringing American back together again to heal from divisions cause by poisonous partisan politics. Tea parties are decidedly non-partisan as we seek to hold both Democrats and Republicans responsible for their action. We are also peaceful and respectful but we will not be denied.
From this day forward we send a constant stream of messages in what I call "Constant Contact". Constant Contact is similar to the principle of "marching fire" which was used so successfully in World War II by General George Patton and his victorious 3rd Army. Let me explain "marching fire". General Patton instructed his soldiers to fire their weapons every two or three steps when attacking the enemy. Their constant barrage suppressed the enemies own return fire as bullets from all directions came down upon the enemy position. Similarly, we use Constant Contact ("marching fire") as Patriots to counter even well funded special interest groups and negative press. In the past the press and politicians ignored the individual letter or two they used to get from us citizens. The constant barrage from special interest groups and phony political organizations has held politician's attention and thus they have written their bills and policies for them. This is about to change.
We Tea-party Patriot Citizens are not a special interest group; we are Middle America on the move. Realizing this we take courage, because Middle American greatly outnumbers all the special interests combined! Therefore through constant letters, phone calls and emails we will send a daily barrage to counter special interests groups and give our politicians the courage enact good legislation based upon the Constitution and fiscal responsibility. For example, every morning I log on to my local paper and register my comments on specific articles in their respective comment section before going about my day. I make it short and to the point with a reference.
Politicians are actually very religious "when they feel the heat, they see the light." The Tea-party movement in Washington State is being credited by many with stopping the Legislature's last minute underhanded attempt to raise our state sales tax. You Patriot Citizens did this with a single unexpected march & rally on April 15th. As we were protesting outside, our legislators were devising a sales tax increase inside. I was able to testify effectively before the sales tax committee on April 17th because on April 15th 6,000 of you peacefully protested on the Capitol steps and many more protested throughout the state. You made this possible by showing up. In like manner we can constantly "show up" in politician's mailboxes and inboxes. Constant Contact is how we keep it rolling.
Using Constant Contact we communicate one to three times per week as we place another phone call, write a letter, or send an email. It doesn't take very long and it costs hardly anything. You don't necessarily have to write on every subject, you just need to make Constant Contact.
Here are a few communication tips:
There are a lot of things going on legislatively since one party is in control and they realize their time is short. It was said during a furious battle when American troops were surrounded the commander's response was "good, we can shoot in any direction and hit the enemy". There are a number of good Patriot web sites where you will find the current bills & issues to write or phone about. We just need to start.
Go for it! Start hammering away; shoot off your letters and phone calls and keep it up. Practice Constant Contact as you go about your normal routine, pause to make another phone call then text or call a friend and encourage them to do the same. Find your effective rhythm and pace and keep up a barrage of letters and calls.
You do not have to be an expert on every topic but I hope you will do three things: 1) seek to educate yourself on a broad range of topics as time goes on 2) check often with organizations you have learned to trust and 3) educate yourself on the Constitution. Then write and call about the issue(s) you care about. By doing this you will be able to participate with other Patriots in Constant Contact. This will have major impact, I guarantee it.
Here is a marvelous resource, literally at your finger tips.
What is our goal? I've often been asked "what are we trying to accomplish?" Simply put we are trying to bring about the change we need in Congress and the next presidential election to save our great nation from unsustainable debt and protect our Constitutional rights; this is the goal of every Patriot and the goal of the Tea-party movement in general. Coming up are the 2009 off-year elections, the 2010 Congressional elections, the 2011 off-year elections and the 2012 presidential & congressional elections. We seek to discourage bad legislation in the short term and elect responsible representatives in the long term. We must elect good people starting with our local school boards all the way up to the Presidency. This is our patriotic duty and it is entirely within our rights and ability to accomplish.
Now is the time. Rise up America! Be Heard!
It is our highest privilege and obligation as American citizens to participate in freedom of speech, political activity and voting. It is our duty and moral obligation as Americans to: peaceable assemble, to speak freely and often, to contact our representatives and to participate in electing qualified men and women to public office. We not only owe this to ourselves and our neighbors but to future generations. We are fighting for our children and in a very real sense for the free world itself. Remember that you are not alone; there are more with us than against us.
Showing up is 90% of the victory. You as a Patriot must have self discipline, self-respect, pride in your personal associations, and pride in our great nation and it's Constitution. You must seek to maintain a high sense of commitment to your fellow patriots and patriot leaders. Self-confidence grows by demonstrating your ability to follow through on commitments and tasks. Whether it is writing your representatives, hosting a tea part, participating in a rally, or making one more phone call -- you gain self confidence and self respect by your actions.
Now is the time. Patriots do not give in to the notion that everything will be all right if we just lay low and not get involved. Our country needs us now, not later. History is full of tragic accounts of those who thought difficulties would pass if they just laid low and not gotten involved. This is not the time to dig in or hide, we are not in retreat and we are not an underground movement. Now is the time to rise up and move forward. Now is the time to get involved. Now is the time to encourage each other to stick with it day after day.
Your daily activity is important. Many of our elected representatives do not yet understand how many of us are in the Tea party movement but this is changing. Some have tried to label us as an "Astroturf" movement thinking that our emails are orchestrated by some rich sugar daddy like a Republican equivalent of Democrat George Soros (the 29th riches man in the world worth $11-billion). You and I know the Tea party movement is not "Astroturf", so we can hold our heads high and laugh at these belittling comments. We have been labeled as “racists” by many including Janeane Garofalo. We are not racists, but Americans exercising our Constitutional rights. Let's keep our good humor and hold our heads high as more and more join with us in the healing of America.
This is what the Tea-party movement is all about: bringing American back together again to heal from divisions cause by poisonous partisan politics. Tea parties are decidedly non-partisan as we seek to hold both Democrats and Republicans responsible for their action. We are also peaceful and respectful but we will not be denied.
From this day forward we send a constant stream of messages in what I call "Constant Contact". Constant Contact is similar to the principle of "marching fire" which was used so successfully in World War II by General George Patton and his victorious 3rd Army. Let me explain "marching fire". General Patton instructed his soldiers to fire their weapons every two or three steps when attacking the enemy. Their constant barrage suppressed the enemies own return fire as bullets from all directions came down upon the enemy position. Similarly, we use Constant Contact ("marching fire") as Patriots to counter even well funded special interest groups and negative press. In the past the press and politicians ignored the individual letter or two they used to get from us citizens. The constant barrage from special interest groups and phony political organizations has held politician's attention and thus they have written their bills and policies for them. This is about to change.
We Tea-party Patriot Citizens are not a special interest group; we are Middle America on the move. Realizing this we take courage, because Middle American greatly outnumbers all the special interests combined! Therefore through constant letters, phone calls and emails we will send a daily barrage to counter special interests groups and give our politicians the courage enact good legislation based upon the Constitution and fiscal responsibility. For example, every morning I log on to my local paper and register my comments on specific articles in their respective comment section before going about my day. I make it short and to the point with a reference.
Politicians are actually very religious "when they feel the heat, they see the light." The Tea-party movement in Washington State is being credited by many with stopping the Legislature's last minute underhanded attempt to raise our state sales tax. You Patriot Citizens did this with a single unexpected march & rally on April 15th. As we were protesting outside, our legislators were devising a sales tax increase inside. I was able to testify effectively before the sales tax committee on April 17th because on April 15th 6,000 of you peacefully protested on the Capitol steps and many more protested throughout the state. You made this possible by showing up. In like manner we can constantly "show up" in politician's mailboxes and inboxes. Constant Contact is how we keep it rolling.
Using Constant Contact we communicate one to three times per week as we place another phone call, write a letter, or send an email. It doesn't take very long and it costs hardly anything. You don't necessarily have to write on every subject, you just need to make Constant Contact.
Here are a few communication tips:
- Tell them what you are supporting or opposing.
- Keep it short with one or two points (the legislative aid is just keeping a tally anyway).
- Use your own words, do not cut and paste.
- Ask them to do something specific (vote for or against a bill, etc.)
- Instead of letters, prepare a stack of Tea-Bag Post Cards ahead of time, with hand written addresses & a postcard stamp.
- To make a Tea bag post card, purchase some heavy cardstock paper. I suggest Orange Cardstock paper. Cut the paper it in quarters and hand draw a tea bag on one side. Address the other side and leave a space for a brief message just like a regular post card.
There are a lot of things going on legislatively since one party is in control and they realize their time is short. It was said during a furious battle when American troops were surrounded the commander's response was "good, we can shoot in any direction and hit the enemy". There are a number of good Patriot web sites where you will find the current bills & issues to write or phone about. We just need to start.
Go for it! Start hammering away; shoot off your letters and phone calls and keep it up. Practice Constant Contact as you go about your normal routine, pause to make another phone call then text or call a friend and encourage them to do the same. Find your effective rhythm and pace and keep up a barrage of letters and calls.
You do not have to be an expert on every topic but I hope you will do three things: 1) seek to educate yourself on a broad range of topics as time goes on 2) check often with organizations you have learned to trust and 3) educate yourself on the Constitution. Then write and call about the issue(s) you care about. By doing this you will be able to participate with other Patriots in Constant Contact. This will have major impact, I guarantee it.
Here is a marvelous resource, literally at your finger tips.
- Sit down at your computer and go to www.afa.net
- Drag your cursor to the word "Activism" on the black menu bar near the top
- A red drop-down menu will appear; now click on "Elected Officials"
- Where it says "Search by Zip Code" fill in your 5 digit (left side) plus 4 digit (right side) zip code. Your full 5+4 zip code will by on your utility bill or a letter you have received.
- Right there at your finger tips is the contact information for your representatives!
- Enter these phone numbers into your cell phone.
- Enter their emails & addresses into your Outlook address book, etc.
- Now you are ready for Constant Contacts.
What is our goal? I've often been asked "what are we trying to accomplish?" Simply put we are trying to bring about the change we need in Congress and the next presidential election to save our great nation from unsustainable debt and protect our Constitutional rights; this is the goal of every Patriot and the goal of the Tea-party movement in general. Coming up are the 2009 off-year elections, the 2010 Congressional elections, the 2011 off-year elections and the 2012 presidential & congressional elections. We seek to discourage bad legislation in the short term and elect responsible representatives in the long term. We must elect good people starting with our local school boards all the way up to the Presidency. This is our patriotic duty and it is entirely within our rights and ability to accomplish.
Now is the time. Rise up America! Be Heard!
