Major Announcement

[Gene Clem]

History

The Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots (SWMIPATS) was formed in Kalamazoo in April of 2009 after our first rally brought us together.  At that time several of us met as committees and then as 'committee of the whole' to agree upon our principles, mission and organization.  Almost no one had any experience in the political world.  As I was to learn over the next few months, this same thing was happening all across our state and the nation.

We grew to chapters in Berrien, Cass and Allegan counties.  As I was to discover over the next year, all politics is local and hence although almost every single Tea Party that sprung up had the exact same principles and mission (arrived at independently), the organizations were different.  We decided to organize as a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization; others chose for-profit or political action committees, etc.  We were all neophytes, processed many conflicting opinions and made our choices.

The choice we made meant that we could not 'endorse' political candidates; we could recruit them, train people, educate people, but not endorse or campaign for candidates.  We decided that we would work within this restriction and encourage our members to work for the candidates of their choice.  Our voter guides would make it clear who the preferred candidates were.  All legal.

When the vast majority of you joined the organization, we had presented ourselves to you as just that, whether you noticed, cared or paid attention.  We want to make a change.  We want your input.  Here is why:

The Local Situation

It has become clear that the Tea Party is a powerful political brand and movement.  It has made political history in many elections since last winter.  Witness the results in New Jersey and Massachusetts among several.  However the old line, "Rockefeller", progressive GOP has also taken notice and is aligned against the Tea Party movement and views us as a threat due to our stance on insistence of protection of and adherence to the Constitution.

We (the Michigan Tea Party Alliance) have found and fought instances in Michigan where the GOP has started up a "Tea Party" as a front for Republican campaigns.  Also, they have a policy of always supporting the incumbent, whether their record shows that they honor and protect the constitution, or not.

In Southwest Michigan (the 6th congressional district) we have encouraged our members to run for office with the plan that Tea Party members would be encouraged and available to support them.  We have many that have stepped up and are running for office in the Republican primary.  However, even though they are running as Republicans, they not only do not get support from the GOP if they are challengers, but they get active resistance.  Clearly, the GOP does not want voters to have choice.  The Tea Party clearly does want the choice.

As people of integrity and strength, we Tea Party members cannot let this stand without challenge.  We cannot bring our strength to bear if our hands are tied.  We need to be able to support our members when they challenge the powers that have brought us to this sad state of affairs in our state and nation.  We must overturn all corruption that resists us, whether in the GOP, which many of our members also are members of, or ACORN, or any other organization that opposes us.  We will have the full strength of those in charge of the corrupt centers of power in the federal government against us.  We must insure that we are not easy targets for them.

Proposed Change

We need to be able to fight for our candidates, legally.  We need to organize so as to provide us the best platform from which to do battle.  I am recommending that we change our current  corporate designation and immediately move to engage the battle to protect our constitutional republic.  When we win our battles in August and November, we will look to the future again and my vision includes a watchdog Tea Party which would then move to a educational organization to watch and report on 'our' elected representatives.  At that time, our needs will change, but not our mission of taking back our nation and putting it back on course.  We will not let it drift again.

One last piece of information: it was our understanding our IRS application was in process, but upon further investigation it has come to our attention that it was not.  The application has never been processed so we can re-register as a different type of non-profit or as a for profit organization.

Please take time and respond to me with your comments at [e-mail].

Regards,
Gene Clem

[Dave Smith]

Mike, I think you raise a good point. I think the local Tea Parties should seek to find the best available Constitutionally minded candidates to run, but not be perceived as an arm of either party per se. We should instead try to take over the prevailing party in our particular area.

Unfortunately, many of us would have problems trusting most democrats unless we knew them REALLY well. I think the Dems have really hurt themselves with this recent edition of the party. They've been almost completely taken over by the Progressives who change their labels to fit the situation. Truth is whatever they want it to be, and they've compromised the unions and the education establishment to where normal is not normal anymore. The Republicans have been on this path as well, but haven't been as deeply infected so we may be able to save some. But my guess is we should throw most out.

I've found that for many good principled people, their political heritage trumps all their other principles. Consider the Conservative, 100% pro-life, devout Catholic union members who just keep voting for liberal, pro-abortion, democrats. The Democrat Party of old was way more conservative than the one we have today. We need to reclaim whatever party we can for the Constitutional Freedoms our country was founded on, but it's gonna be a big job.

Mike Freriks said:

My concern is that we not become to close to nor to closely identified with the Republican party. In listening to radio and television, reading articles and speaking with fellow citizens there is widespread miss-understanding of our movement. We must be certain we are not perceived as another political party nor as an arm of the Republicans. Our strength must come from our political diversity and strict adherence to the Constitution of the United States and our Bill of Rights. What you are saying seems to make sense, however I am concerned with the apparent Republican leaning of the course described.

[Doreen Sharp]

You go, Gene. I'm on board. I agree with you and Debbie...no third party. This period in time is the worst time to divide. The key is to bring pressure to bear on the Republican Party to change.

[Lynn Lars Halvorsen]

Gene,
I too agree with you. I'm not in favor of a 3rd party at this time. I support the change to a either a PAC or LLC or something along those lines. I also support ongoing accountability of elected people that were endorsed by Patriots who support the Constitution.

[Randy Halseth]

Gene,

This communication could be enhanced if you state explicitely what changes you are proposing and if you ask specific questions that you seek input on. For a title of "Major Announcement", I have no idea what you are specifically asking to change or how whatever this change is impacts our ability to influence candidates. In my humble opinion, this announcement just rambles. Thanks.

[Larry L. Peterson]

PAC or LLC, either is o.k. by me Gene.

Gene Clem said:

It will be either a PAC or even just an LLC. We will have presentations by attorney and CPA in a week or so and then re write our bylaws and get back to everyone.

Larry L. Peterson said:

Maybe it is time we looked at other venues and entities. However your message was vague as to what type entity you are referring to, Gene. Are you advocating a PAC or some other type organization? Please be a little more specific.

Larry

[Jim Riordan]

I believe that this is the only way to go if we are to effect a change in how we are goverened. You have my full support.

Jim Riordan
Augusta

[Gene Clem]

Mike,

Precisely my concerns. We have to walk a fine line.

Mike Freriks said:

My concern is that we not become to close to nor to closely identified with the Republican party. In listening to radio and television, reading articles and speaking with fellow citizens there is widespread miss-understanding of our movement. We must be certain we are not perceived as another political party nor as an arm of the Republicans. Our strength must come from our political diversity and strict adherence to the Constitution of the United States and our Bill of Rights. What you are saying seems to make sense, however I am concerned with the apparent Republican leaning of the course described.

[Gene Clem]

Exactly. We will decide how best to do it, but we will get it done. We are considering either a PAC, or an LLC.

Steven L. Mobley said:

It appears to me that what is being suggested is not a third party, but moving into the political arena as an active, formidable player. As one who tried to fight from the outside last year, as Gene and many of you know, it is imperative that we take back from the inside. We need the candidates, the precinct delegates, the money, and the ability to fight head on. If this means being a PAC or 527 of whatever, I agree 100%. Just educating people will not be enough, we must press into the battle.

[Jeff Romence]

I agree with you Debbie Coning. It would be the biggest mistake since Perot of the Tea Party is the "third" party.
The democrats need to be crushed in the next elections. This is a 2 party system in the U.S. and always will be... unless you want to change what has been so for 200 plus years. Hmmm, sounds like what Obama wants.
Tea Party MUST back the GOP, Call it the Republican Tea Party. Lets see how far we can go with that name. I bet we could take back our country and never vote a democrat back into an office.

[Jerry Collins]

I agree, lets get it done!!
Jerry Collins

[Michael F. Simon]

I agree that our primary mission ought to be the election of candidates who are dedicated to Constitututional government in its traditional sense. I doubt we will find anyone wearing the "Democrat" label who would fit our goal; therefore, we should look to conservative (not "moderate") Republicans.

I also think that we should adopt whichever legal structure that would allow us to examine candidates' records and promises, and recommend to our members, and the public, the election of those candidates which meet our standards. I look forward eagerly to the proposed Revised Bylaws.

Mike Simon

[Carol Strebel]

I think you are on the right track . They are doing this very thing in parts of Texas. I have been privileged to have gone to Tea party rallys and watchdog meetings at different restaurants in different counties. We need to have people to sign up as watchdogs and listen to candidates and try to get voting history and job history etc. Please keep me informed. Carol S., Richland