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

[Ray Kirkus]

Hello Gene, I am focused on what the tea party means to me. I was involved in the first one, under Ron Paul and continue to follow that brand of libertarian/conservatism. I am running for delegate in New Buffalo and will be on the republican ballot. Anything I can do to help the cause. LMK.
In Liberty,
Ray Kirkus

[Sharon Fanger]

My concern is that a 3rd party would nullify the conservative vote and keep the democrats in office. We need to invade the leadership of the Republican Party. It might take a while but I think that it can be done.

[e-mail]

[Dennis Hollingsead]

In order for the Tea Party movement to remain a viable force for good in the future, we MUST work through existing political structures. It is critical that a third party is NOT started and that the financial and political structures chosen for the Michigan Tea Parties will allow flexibility to influence both the democratic and republican side of politics. Both parties, as well as the Progressives, have played "ping pong" with the American people for over 100 years. We MUST confront the Progressive forces on both sides of the aisle. Working from a two pronged approach WITHIN the existing parties is the only way to hope for success. Additionally, we MUST remain focused on the basic principles that have made us what we are:

1. LIMITED government at all levels.
2. Select candidates of moral character - Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian.
3. Reduce federal and state spending, with the goal of reducing taxes.
4. Stop moving the jobs overseas.
5. Expose, limit, and work to remove the influence of the globalist organizations surrounding D.C..
6. Expose the Federal Reserve and the faces behind it - Not one person at the FED is elected or held accountable to "We the People", this MUST change.
7. Expose the globalist funding of Public Television and National Public Radio.
8. Remove ALL special legislation for allowance of congressional "misdeeds". ALL men are equal before the law!!

And probably the most important of all:
9. Work to get the two-thirds passage of legislation rule back into the Senate! I believe that the change to 60 votes for passage has created, and continues to create more problems by encouraging the two parties to ignore collaboration and working for ideological issues rather than the common good of the nation. As we have seen with the health care bill, with the super majority of 60, the Democrats thought they could "go alone" and have ignored ALL pleas for bi-partisan legislation. A requirement for 66 votes to pass legislation would REQUIRE collaboration and less partisan grand standing.

[Jake Hammond]

I have a half-baked notion of making "Freedom PSA's". In the sound-bite age we live in, we need to boil our thoughts down into 5sec, 10sec bites. For example:

"The law will judge you guilty or not without compassion. So don't be fooled by the politian who claims to write compassionate law solely for you."

Or

"The seperation of Church and state is to prevent politians from forming the United States Church of God and judging you as a "worthy" citizen. So as American's we must truely fear those who already worship at the alter of Big Government."

They need a little work. But it would be nice to have a corportate structure where we could run such ads.

Jake Hammond

[Timothy J Banks]

I'm afraid so Gene. I loved the idea of being an educational organization, but I had to sit by as the Van Buren County GOP executive committee sent a $500.00 donation to the Upton campaign and I accidentally "voted" nay when I don't even have a vote! Had to apologize to the Committee Charwoman for speaking out of line. I have really no say in what goes on there and they are a bunch of GOOD PEOPLE, who make BAD DECISIONS. No fire in their guts. Sorry for my lack of input lately. 2 jobs, one house under renovation and I'm exhausted. Just what Barry and the gang are depending on. I trust your judgement.

[Clarence Wentzel]

Gene, I agree with your basic plan. Yes, I feel that we could be more effective as a PAC. I like your comments about not being a third party. Also, as I understand you, you are saying that we should generally support incumbents that are in basic agreement with our principles rather than support some opponent who might have much less chance to be elected.

Clare

[Ron & Rebecca Hamming]

The Republican party was the third party in 1854 when it was founded. In 1856 it was defeated with John C. Fremont as its first presidential candidate. Just four years later, however, the Republicans defeated the incumbent party, The Wigs, running a man named Abraham Lincoln. In a four way race, Lincoln won the electoral college vote and the presidency despite not being on the ballot in nine states and receiving only 38% of the popular vote. Remember when you vote for the lessor of the two evils YOU ARE STILL VOTEING FOR EVIL!

[Ron & Rebecca Hamming]

I thought the Tea Party was checking people's records not which party a person is with. Sounds like the GOP is trying to stand against the Tea Party people yet we're afraid to stand behind a third party candidate because "we've always been a two party goverment." The Tea Party has more clout that that
/body>

[Mike Ennis]

Gene you are 100% correct. I started with the tea party from day one we have done a marvelous job. However it is time to
grow and your direction is spot on. We need to get true conservative candidates in office to facilitate the change that Michigan and the federal government need. We also have to stay organized and make sure our candidates stay true and force the other elected officials to become true to what is actually best for the state and the nation. I will support this movement forever.

[Chuck Davis]

Dave Smith, you have it exactly RIGHT (no pun). And I agree with Paul "Revere" Peterson. Tea Party Candidates cannot run as 3rd party candidates or Independants. History has shown that that's for losers. We need to help those Tea Party members win in the Primaries. In order to do that we must register as for-profit organizations here in SW Michigan. It's interesting that our not-for-profit status never got approved. Makes one wonder why.

A huge thanks to Gene, Sherry and all other organizers for your "selfless service", as Dave Smith so aptly put it.

[Wendy Kay Griffioen]

Paul, I totally agree with your words. Dems have already developed their strategies against the Tea Party Movement and are putting money behind it to dilute our effectiveness. I too agree that we need to concentrate our efforts around the Republican Party. I believe they are the party that most closely stands for the values that the Tea Party espouses as well as getting back to grass roots politics. I am volunteering for Independence Caucus as well and that group has seen the same thing with regard to Dems trying to confuse the agenda. The only way to circumvent that is to be organized and aggressive in our campaign to take back government.

I would like to submit that Independence Caucus is already vetting candidates for primaries in many states. I am afraid that if too many organizations with the mantra to 'take back government' get in the game of endorsing candidates and pulling for votes, we will meet the same end as developing another party. Again, the only way we are going to win in Washington is if we are organized and aggressive in our campaign. We don't have the big bucks that the government has for keeping their guys in office to fight them. Would it be a good idea to team up with some of the efforts that have already walked the steps we are planning to walk? They are vetting candidates with lists of 80 questions designed to get at what the candidates believe and are then following through with endorsement. People are taking notice and that's what we want. The Tea Party is more visible than IC and they could benefit from our visibility. We could benefit from the direction they are taking. Just some thoughts for what they are worth. Thanks....

Paul "Revere" Peterson said:

Much of what I've read here I'm seeing political wisdom develope. I'd like to add a little bit of guidance as it is a simple prospect; remember, sewing confusion is what Progressives do as it will benefit them.
Regardless of where we all started, I think the Democrats have shown us that they will never be conservative anymore; even those who may be arguably "old" Democrats, like Bart Stupak, their party apparatus corrupts or intimidates them. Political efforts can only win in our system if concentration of that effort is the operant strategy. Therefore, and since the Republican Party is the one that is traditionally supposed to be conservative, it is here we must concentrate our efforts. This will also draw the clearest distinctions between the parties, even if the Dems begin lying about themselves by using our language. Through their media, have they not insulted, denegrated, and attempted to discredit us enough? The movement from the beginning has had the right attitude about resisting the urge to be a 3rd party; however, and I use the terms loosely, as a "third party" movement, we are operating to take back the GOP during the primary process, rather than competing in the general election. It takes much less effort to do so than start over anyway. This must be done by taking over party management using the Precinct Delegate position and by supporting elected officials from our movement at all levels of government. After all, Executive Committees are made up of delegate appointees AND elected officials down to county commissioner level.

Concentrating and executing will deliver the GOP into our hands. Then we can make a real difference, and at some point in the future, perhaps we can change laws to allow for runoff elections, which would go a long way to give rise to a third party. In this way, perhaps we can get rid of the Democrats totally since I believe they will be discredited totally. I don't think there is any hope for them. They've sold their souls, and good people who are Dems need to let go of tradition and recognize that party for what it's become, and move on.

[Chuck Davis]

Right again, Paul. There just doesn't seem to be many incumbents who have read the constitution as witness by the way they vote. We need to support "like-minded constitutional candidates (our people) [whether or not incumbents] from within the primary process".

Paul "Revere" Peterson said:

Actually, that's not at all what he said. Incumbents should go. What he's saying is reorganize so people feel more comfortable with getting political and replacing incumbents with like-minded constitutional candidates (our people) from within the primary process.

Clarence Wentzel said:

Gene, I agree with your basic plan. Yes, I feel that we could be more effective as a PAC. I like your comments about not being a third party. Also, as I understand you, you are saying that we should generally support incumbents that are in basic agreement with our principles rather than support some opponent who might have much less chance to be elected.

Clare