TEA anyone?

A group of people got together and called their gathering a national Tea party convention. I have some misgivings about that. I have participated in many tea parties. I'm not sure I like the idea of a "national" group. It seems that runs counter to what the movement was supposed to be about. There was a good piece about it here. The title says it all, do we have to take the tea party movement back now?

Don't get me wrong, the tea parties are needed today, but with one voice and a national image it is bound for the same corruption others have fallen into. It worked much better as a gathering. A group of people who share beliefs. We meet online and organize when needed. There are state groups and local groups. The whole idea of the TEA party (Taxed Enough Already) started with Rick Santelli cutting loose a year ago about high government spending. That should be the entry for Tea party association, do you believe in less government? Do you want less spending and more free markets? If yes, you are a part of the movement. You shouldn't need a membership card from thi new group.

There are some who think the tea party idea was Ron Pauls. But let's not forget he got the idea from our forefathers. This particular movement was not a growth from Rep. Paul's campaign strategy, but from Santelli's passionate outburst.

I still think Sarah Palin is the best hope for this nation. But it may have been a mistake for her to speak at this convention. She should have waited to see what this group is going to be. Do they still hold the values of the original movement? Because that is what the Tea parties are, a movement, not a group. Unfortunately this gathering in Nashville may have started changing that. Palin added legitimacy to this group they haven't earned yet. Her speech was right on target. It will be panned by people who have prejudged her but she had some great points. My only problem would be she may have been better off giving it at CPAC instead.

Whatever happens should play out soon. I hope the Tea parties we knew still exist. But even if they don't it doesn't mean our beliefs change. We still need to stand up to big government and reckless spending.