What is the Tea Party?

Fellow Patriots,

What is the Tea Party movement? It seems so obvious to me, but I have seen some strange indications from a variety of sources that many people do not understand what it is all about. First and foremost, Tea Party groups such as LaGrange Patriots are simply groups of Americans who believe this country is really quite special and that it is special because of the fundamental principles on which our nation was founded. The current President of the United States was elected on a platform that said he would fundamentally change the country. This does not compute for most Tea Party people. We are for improving, streamlining and even tweaking, but we are not for changing the fundamental beliefs that have made the United States a model for nations around the world.

Our nation is founded on certain unalienable rights and principles. They do not need changing. America was founded as a free market society in which government was directed to limit itself to only certain areas. Since the early 20th Century and the advent of the progressive movement, as a nation we have been moving away from those elementary principles. Government has become bigger and more intrusive in the lives of the average American citizen. This was not the intent of the founding fathers. History clearly tells us that the founders feared a government with too much power. These well educated and dedicated statesmen recognized that rights come from God and that they are not granted by government. We believe that the Federal government, and in some cases State governments, have increasingly violated individual rights of American citizens.

When our government ignores or violates the U.S. Constitution, it is disregarding the contract it made with citizens over 200 years ago. The Constitution stipulates what the Federal government is empowered to do. Further, the Tenth Amendment clearly states that other powers are reserved to the States or to the people. Tea Party members believe that this fundamental relationship has been violated.

LaGrange Patriots promote voter awareness. We covet the values of free enterprise, hard work and individual self-determination. We disagree with those who would change our nation into another Soviet Union or another Cuba. Over a period of 200 years, our constitutional form of government has proven itself effective. The United States has become the envy of the world. We believe that what made America great is the personal responsibility and determination of each citizen to strive for a better life. We, as Americans, are guaranteed the right to strive, but we are not guaranteed success. Certainly, we do not expect any form of success engineered by a "big brother" government.

If you agree with these fundamental beliefs, join us on Saturday, May 15th at 4:00 p.m. in Lafayette Square. There, LaGrange Patriots will celebrate the joy and challenge of being Americans. Herman Cain will lead our list of speakers. This Tea Party Rally is not limited by race, religion, national origin or political party. Come and participate as we celebrate being Americans.

Ford McLain

GA Governor's Forum

The Patriots in LaGrange had a great evening at the GA Governor's Forum. There were about 350 LaGrange and nearby citizens in attendance educating themselves on the candidates for an important gubernatorial election. Many thanks to Ellen Gilmore for taking the lead in organizing this event, and to all the candidates that were able to make the event tonight. Jeff Chapman missed the forum due to the legislative schedule of the Georgia Assembly and Austin Scott dropped out of the race to run for a US Congress position instead. But the remaining five candidates (Nathan Deal, Karen Handel, Eric Johnson, Ray McBerry, and John Oxendine) did an excellent job despite some tough pointed questions. I will be posting pictures and videos in the next couple days. At the end of the event, we had a straw poll of the LaGrange Patriots to determine which candidate seemed to resonate best with our people. Here are the results of our straw poll...

Ray McBerry - 152 (57%)
Eric Johnson - 47 (18%)
Nathan Deal - 29 (11%)
Karen Handel - 20 (7%)
John Oxendine - 19 (7%)

WRBL Coverage of Patriots Protest

WRBL in Columbus covered this week's protests outside the LaGrange Daily News. They did a very fair job in presenting our issue and letting the Patriots voice their concerns. Check out the video footage below from their website. Thanks to everyone who came out for the protest and a special thanks to Kahty Ropte from the Harris County Tea Party group for helping organize the protest.

LDN Protest Update

We almost suspended the planned picketing of the LaGrange Daily News when we were promised an apology in the Saturday paper. However, we were disappointed with what was actually printed which was significantly different in tone and attitude from what was promised. Therefore, the planned picketing on M-W from 3pm to 6pm will go on as planned. Here is the official statement from the LaGrange Patriots President...

Regarding publication of the scandalous cartoon and picketing planned for LaGrange Daily News. We have negotiated in good faith with the publisher of the LaGrange Daily News to get an apology and thus forego the picketing. I was promised by the publisher that the LDN would say, “I sincerely apologize to those individuals who were offended by the political cartoon that was published in LaGrange Daily News’ opinion page.” Instead, this was substituted: “To those individuals who were offended by the political cartoon that was published in LaGrange Daily News’ opinion page, I’m sorry."

“I’m Sorry” is what children say when caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Adults say “I sincerely apologize” when they do indeed wish to sincerely apologize. Then, to add insult to injury, two anti-Tea Party letters were published alongside the half-hearted apology.

As a result of this duplicity, we feel betrayed and will, therefore, support Harris County Tea Party and others in their decision to picket LDN Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. We encourage all to participate. Please remember that we must take the high road. Our picketing activities should be peaceful, respectful and dignified. Tawdry or vulgar signs are prohibited, as is crude language.

Yours sincerely,

Ford McLain
President, LaGrange Patriots

Tea Party Editorial Cartoon

On April 13th the LaGrange Daily News published a scandalous "cartoon" on its Op/Ed page. It suggests that Tea Party groups are racist and in league with the Ku Klux Klan. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The LaGrange Patriots organization firmly believes in our US Constitution and in the First Amendment. The LaGrange Daily News' selection of this cartoon is not, however, a matter of free speech. It is a matter of judgment. This particular syndicated cartoon was selected from perhaps dozens of alternatives for publication. This is not a matter of freedom of the press. It is a matter of decency and common sense. We have received calls and e-mails registering concerns and in many cases outrage over that cartoon.

In our small and somewhat intimate community, I believe this newspaper has done a regrettable disservice to our citizens and to the LaGrange Patriots. The mere suggestion that our group is composed of racists or KKK members is repugnant to us. When one considers the racial make-up of this community, one could easily interpret that graphic as inflammatory. LaGrange Patriots is a group of concerned citizens exercising our legitimate right to free assembly and free speech. We come in many colors and from many different backgrounds. The choice of this insulting cartoon which implies that we are a racist organization is deeply offensive.

We encourage all who read this to voice their concern and outrage to the LaGrange Daily News in forceful but courteous and lawful ways. We have requested an apology for their unfortunate choice of material for publication.

Health Care Fallout

Good article by AJC blogger Jamie Dupree regarding the fallout some congressmen will see as a result of voting for yesterday's health care bill. There will be a turnover of elected officials like we have never seen before during this upcoming election. Let's just make sure we get the right people in office this time.

Be sure to make plans to attend our upcoming GA governor's forum in April to be an informed voter!

The Health Care Fraud

This administration’s health care effort is not about health care. No, it isn’t. It is, rather, a backdoor approach to liberal fascism. Just what is fascism? It is a government that controls all aspects of your life -- allegedly for the good of the state. The current voluminous health care proposal is a “foot-in-the-door” to controlling the lives of our citizenry.

Consider this as a starter. What things impact your health? What you eat, what you weigh, the amount of exercise you get and even many of your private personal habits. In Japan if you are 40 or older you must have your waistline measured. Those exceeding government limits which are 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women are in trouble. If after three months, they do not lose weight they will be given “dieting guidance.” If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education. After all, overweight people represent a cost to the government health care program. This is not socialism. It is fascism. It is government control of your life. This is the direction we are heading if the current health care proposals are passed.

The fascist ideal is to create the perfect society. How does this get accomplished? By government control, of course. To achieve this goal there must be tinkering with the stuff society is made of. People, that is. Your waistline may only be the beginning. The government needs to have a say in who can reproduce and who can not. If two “inferior” people want to procreate, it becomes the government’s responsibility to curtail that. How? Use your imagination. Remember, healthy, superior children will obviously reduce health care costs. Since our taxes are paying for everyone’s health care, it is the government’s responsibility to reduce costs.

Did you know that there is a theory out there that says global warming can be reduced if we have fewer children? If the global warming people have their way, the number of children you are allowed to have will be regulated by the government. Even if you are not among those labeled as “inferior” or “deficient.”

If all this sounds radical and impossible to you, then you may be deluding yourself. This administration already admits to wanting to mandate who gets health care and who does not. If you are over a certain age, you have had your shot at life. No sense wasting expensive medicines or treatments on you! Just go on and die.

If you really like this trend and you agree that government knows better than you do what is best for you, just sit around and watch it happen. To quote Thomas Jefferson, “I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.” And, by the way, there is no provision in the U.S. Constitution for the government to make these decisions for you. If you disagree with this kind of government take-over, you may want to support LaGrange Patriots who believe in strong enforcement of the Constitution. You may do so with your attendance at our events and/or by mailing a donation of any size to LaGrange Patriots, PO Box 800210, LaGrange, GA 30240.

Ford McLain
LaGrange, GA

Tea Party Movie Night

We will be hosting a free movie night Friday, Feb 26th to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Tea Party movement. Come out to Hoofer's auditorium to watch "Tea Party: The Documentary Film" starting promptly at 7pm on Friday night. Admission is free and popcorn and drinks will be on sale. Here is the trailer for the movie...

Tax Day Tea Parties in Washington DC

A sister group... the North Georgia Patriots have made arrangements if anyone is interested in making the trip to Washington DC for the Tax Day Tea Parties. Here is the information regarding that trip...

Patriots, we are making a difference. This is a critical election year. The Buses and rooms are reserved for a 5 night 6 day trip to D.C. to attend both the Tax Day March and the 2nd Amendment Marches and Rallies. We will leave early April 14th and return April 19th. Plenty of time to tour historic Washington and to visit legislators. Trip for accomodations at 5 star hotel and round trip transportation is $approx $440 per person double occupancy.

Locations of Pickup. Others cities will be added if we have enough people book in other areas not listed.

Gwinnett (Norcross or Duluth)

Hall (Gainesville)

Cleveland/Habersham

Cherokee (Canton)

Gordon (Calhoun)

Chattanooga,Tenn.

South Atlanta (Newnan or Peachtree City)

Hiawassee

Blairsville

Murphy,NC

Among all of the events I help with I am also the 2nd Amendment Coordinator for the State of Georgia. The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects a right to keep and bear arms. They are constantly trying to take our Right to Bear Arms Away.

God Bless,

Nighta Davis 706-896-9021