“But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your states as well as in the federal government.” Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address, March 4, 1837
The Next Sheldon Tea Party Patriots meeting will be Thursday, September 1, at 7:00 PM in the meeting room at Sheldon’s Iowa State Bank.
Sheldon Tea Party Patriots will have an information booth in the Sheldon City Park for Sheldon’s Celebrations Days, Labor Day, September 5 9 AM – 4 PM
Patriot’s Day September 11, 2011 Fly your flag of the United States!
Does Congress really have the Constitutional Power to vote a nationalized health care system in? How about the upcoming Cap and Trade legislation they are so fervently wanting to pass? Does our Constitution really allow this? They talk a lot about the “Commerce Clause” and the “General Welfare.” Is National Health Care and more, what the Founding Fathers expected our elected officials to “do for us?” Come to the next Tea Party Meeting, Aug. 5th at Sheldon’s Iowa state Bank 7:00 pm and learn about what Mr. Madison and other Founding Fathers had to say about these clauses as well as the rest of the Enumerated Powers that are actually in the Constitution. Nancy Pelosi’s response to the reporter when asked “Where in the Constitution do you find the power to pass this legislation (Health Care), she said “Are you serious? Are you serious?!” Yes, Nancy, we are serious and we will continue to ask that legislation follow the parameters of our Constitution.
Almost one year ago, one person threw the first local tea party in Spencer on April 15 (tax day) and over 300 people came. Without any planning or organizing, people began filling area town hall meetings last summer. Serious issues were brought to the attention of communities and media, and politicians who didn’t keep their word or trampled on freedom faced angry citizens.
David and Paul used their fantastic 1939 truck all decked out in flags and banners for town parades last summer while Dennis rigged up his sound system for a full-fledged heart swell of patriotism! People spent countless hours listening and talking to area residents about legislation affecting their families and regulations beyond belief impeding the success of their businesses and schools.
It wasn’t long before two people arranged a meeting in Sheldon for like-minded citizens hoping to stop the government freight train of business, bank and health care takeovers. Since then, these two groups have hosted forums with state legislators, gubernatorial candidates, connected with other tea party groups, traveled to Des Moines to talk with state legislators, traveled to Washington, D.C., written countless emails, letters to politicians and to editors, and made countless phone calls.
Is there anything worthwhile of the time and the work involved? Maybe to answer this we need to ask how many times within the past year have Pelosi, Reid or Obama set a deadline that health care would be voted on? Democrats control the House, the Senate and the Presidency so why hasn’t it happened? It appears that the people are doing what “We the people” of America need to be doing to hold government power in check and the answer would be a resounding “Yes! It is worthwhile.”
Did you get how it has been working? It’s Kris who acts on an idea, David who leads a meeting, Paul who constructs a flag stand, Mike who knows what it takes to keep his gun and his flag, Larry who writes a check, Ken who leads in prayer, Tammy who leads a class on the Constitution, Cindy who patiently visits with Senator Harkin’s assistant, Mark who tells us what he learned, Bruce sharing information, Alyda setting up the information table, Sarah who emails, Lonnie who manages a website and people who pick up the phone again and again. That is to name just a few local people. There are many, many more! This is how grassroots works. You contribute in apparently small way and collectively make a huge impact.
America needs you. Your children and your grandchildren need you to take the time, to be brave stepping out of your comfort zone and to do the little things that pool together with millions of other’s that makes a difference in their future.
Let’s celebrate! It’s the tea party’s birthday next month so go find a tea party near you! Don’t expect grandiose things to be happening at the meeting and don’t expect gifted leaders or perfect people. Expect to be vigilant, meeting after meeting, phone call after phone call. And don’t be surprised if your idea is something that mushrooms into a plan of action, or if your help Saturday morning fills a need that would have gone undone. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you!