First, I didn’t like the Medicare Plan D bit. I wish that had been vetoed. It wasn’t something, at the time, that anyone would have considered protesting…at least not on this level. At the time, I didn’t consider it the extreme threat to our liberties that I do so now.

Second, I *hated* the 2006 Election: after six years of Republicans spending us in the ground, I could sense a general dissatisfaction with them. I voted for a Republican, but I did it with distaste: he *bragged* that he brought money home to his district. I couldn’t bring myself to vote for the Democrat, though, because I knew she would be worse. (That Democrat was Gilibrand).

Third: I think the bailouts was the first signal to ALL Americans that something is really wrong. It was the turning point, and it was where the “Tea Party Spirit” really began to wake up.

Fourth: I voted for McCain. I did it because I didn’t want Barak Obama to win Utah. Obama didn’t, but he still won–and I came to the conclusion that I will never again vote for a politician, unless that politician *earns* my vote. I will never again vote for someone because I fear his opponent; if someone can’t convince enough people to vote for him, he won’t win anyway.

Yes, I get it: we were asleep! It’s only now that I’m becoming aware of just how libertarian I really am! And I’ve made the conscious decision that while I will still stay in the Republican party, with the vain hope that I could push that party in the right direction, I will nonetheless consider myself a Libertarian Republican from here on out.

People get it now. Not just Republicans, but Democrats as well. So, my question is this: what are YOU doing to make sure these people continue to get it, even when (or if) Republicans regain power? I don’t necessarily expect an answer; I’m still trying to find the answer myself.

But please don’t belittle those of us who finally get it. I’ve been to several local Tea Parties. Tea Parties are filled with people who are dismayed by both parties; both parties have betrayed us! And only now am I realizing just how extensive that betrayal has been–and it would delight me to no end to see both parties completely collapse because of it.

Gary Ehlenberger
Retired Staff Scientist, Member of the Technical Staff, Motorola

while super excited at the large crowds and intense enthusiasm I couldnt help but feel a little sracastic, ecsp when I overheard several folks saying things like ” we should have done this a long time ago”.

I had to patiently remind them that the LP in Nevada had been at the post office or IRS buildings everyyear protesting for as long as I could remember.

In all of this, the fact that the idea did originate with a different political party is completely lost.

I had tried to schedule our tea party here for the evening when people could make it. The Republican hi-jacker instead scheduled it for noon on a week day, a sure recipe for people to not be able to make it because of work, etc.

But with the Republicans comes some notice, just because of numbers. So the tax day protests will get at least a little mention in the news. While bad for the LP politically, maybe something good will come out of it.