Let's see. We've been called terrorists, Astroturf, hobbits and right-wing extremists. And now we've been told to "go to hell" by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California. Rep. Fredrica Wilson, D-Florida, says we are "public enemy No. 1." This is slander based on nothing but opinion.
I am referring to tea party attendees. We are people who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, free markets and adherence to the Constitution. We are tired of government intrusion in our lives and want an end to the corruption of as well as the deception from our government officials. We do not touch social causes such as abortion or gay marriage; those issues are left up to the individual.
I have yet to go to a tea party gathering and hear anti-American slogans or instructions to loot, break windows of local businesses and create havoc with the law. Our instructions are always to leave the area cleaner than we found it and to treat with respect the policemen who are there to protect the public.
We are not racists nor xenophobic; many of the tea party have come from other countries where they've fled governmental control and manipulation of their lives, e.g., Cuba, Russia, China, Romania.
It occurs to me that politicians attack as their first line of defense when they are fearful. What is it about the tea party that makes politicians so fearful? And why are the media so resistant to telling the truth about the intentions and objectives of the tea party movement?
Do your own research. Go to www.teaPartypatriots.org on the web. Or better yet, attend a tea party rally. Have your own experience.
Then, please tell me why the tea party is the enemy.
Barbara Patton
Ketchum
