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Tea Party Group Dynamics

February 26th, 2010
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Today I am flying the Gadsden Flag, the Patriot Flag I fly when the post concerns Tea Parties or Taxes.  Tea Party gatherings are “groups” and all groups are governed by a basic set of behavioral fundamentals. Summed, this phenomenon is called Group Dynamics.  This post is for Tea Party Groups that are just starting up, or for those who have formed but are demonstrating difficulties.

All groups, be it 2 people or 200, will follow the same basic evolution from start-up to finish. Understanding those steps and the dynamics involved in each are key to a group’s success or failure.  We simply cannot fail, success is our only option!

The Tea Party and Group Dynamics

The Mission Statement:

Start with a mission statement. The National Tea Party Patriots organization probably is one you should adopt:

Mission Statement

The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.

Core Values

  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Constitutionally Limited Government
  • Free Markets

Fiscal Responsibility: Fiscal Responsibility by government honors and respects the freedom of the individual to spend the money that is the fruit of their own labor. A constitutionally limited government, designed to protect the blessings of liberty, must be fiscally responsible or it must subject its citizenry to high levels of taxation that unjustly restrict the liberty our Constitution was designed to protect. Such runaway deficit spending as we now see in Washington D.C. compels us to take action as the increasing national debt is a grave threat to our national sovereignty and the personal and economic liberty of future generations.

Constitutionally Limited Government: We, the members of The Tea Party Patriots, are inspired by our founding documents and regard the Constitution of the United States to be the supreme law of the land. We believe that it is possible to know the original intent of the government our founders set forth, and stand in support of that intent. Like the founders, we support states’ rights for those powers not expressly stated in the Constitution. As the government is of the people, by the people and for the people, in all other matters we support the personal liberty of the individual, within the rule of law.

Free Markets: A free market is the economic consequence of personal liberty. The founders believed that personal and economic freedom were indivisible, as do we. Our current government’s interference distorts the free market and inhibits the pursuit of individual and economic liberty. Therefore, we support a return to the free market principles on which this nation was founded and oppose government intervention into the operations of private business.

Our Philosophy

Tea Party Patriots, Inc. as an organization believes in the Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets. Tea Party Patriots, Inc. is a non-partisan grassroots organization of individuals united by our core values derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill Of Rights as explained in the Federalist Papers. We recognize and support the strength of grassroots organization powered by activism and civic responsibility at a local level. We hold that the United States is a republic conceived by its architects as a nation whose people were granted “unalienable rights” by our Creator. Chiefly among these are the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Tea Party Patriots stand with our founders, as heirs to the republic, to claim our rights and duties which preserve their legacy and our own. We hold, as did the founders, that there exists an inherent benefit to our country when private property and prosperity are secured by natural law and the rights of the individual.

Know the fundamentals of Group Dynamics

When people come together, especially in a “leaderless” environment, they go through the four stages of group dynamics on their journey from coming together to finally performing like professionals!

1. The Forming Stage:

  • This is the beginning stage of development for any group.  In this stage, people are generally excited about the prospects of coming together to start something new.  At last, their ideas and their goals will be met. There are a lot of introductions, and people start (almost immediately) “selling” their ideas as the group begins discussions.

2. The Storming Stage:

  • Bring together two people and you bring together to separate data sets of ideas.  This because individuals have specific thought processes, the data sets of ideas may be pointed toward the same goal, but vary wildly in methodology. So when one person espouses an idea, it is not unusual for a second person to “oppose” that idea because they espouse a differing idea. The ’storming’ happens when people realize the group is not going to adhere to their personal ideas. One idea may be accepted, the other rejected … which causes people to “fight” for acceptance of THEIR idea. Hence “storming” or arguments erupting, hurt feelings, sometimes resulting in disgusted persons actually leaving the group.

3. The Norming Stage:

  • This is the point in a group’s evolution where the dynamics begin to cause excitement.  The arguing and storming is in the past, the group is focused on singular ideas for a focused reason and all group members seek ways to streamline the processes so the group can pick up speed toward its goal.  Along the way, there are still “bumps in the road” as conflicting ideas (remnant storming) are worked out and “normed” into a single methodology.

4. The Performing Stage:

  • This is the goal of any group, and without guidance, surprising few actually attain this status. This is when all members of the group know their role, know the guidelines, adhere to the principles and put maximum effort into a focus drive toward the goal.  Groups like this are difficult to sidetrack and being a member of such a group is the greatest reward the process permits.

New Members:

When you have a “performing” group and you add a new member, you will find yourself at the FIRST STAGE again.  Your performing group understands the guidelines because they were part of discovering them … but the new person does not have that knowledge and understanding. So to bring a new person along and assimilate him/her into the group, the easiest way is with a group “mentor” or helper.  This person should be skilled in teaching group dynamics and should carefully mentor the new person into the performance mode.

Walking the Talk

  • The Mission Statement: Make sure every member of the group has access to the Mission Statement, either by a handout, web page, card for the wallet, etc.  For potential (new) members, give the mission statement to the acolyte approaching the group and making it clear that “THIS” is what the group is and stands for will filter out the wrong people and encourage the right people for the group.  People need to know the mission statement almost by heart. For the Tea Party Patriots, this is their “little Constitution” … and example of “how” they will operate and why it is important.
  • Visible Core Values: Also place the “core values” in plain sight of every member of the group during meetings.  When an idea strays from the core values, let it be known that it is “outside the boundary” of the group’s scope.  There will be a few hurt feelings when an idea is rejected because it does not adhere to core values, but soon the group will “learn” their ideas must fit. This is key to keeping the group focused and saves it from being derailed by a good idea that has nothing to do with the purpose.
  • Train Group Dynamics: Next, explain group dynamics to people entering the group and also to those already in the group who have not yet been exposed to it. People need to understand the four stages so they understand their feelings as they interact within the group.

The Hijacking of Energy

The greatest danger to the Tea Party Movement is the hijacking of its ideas. This often comes from outside the group, but you can also see it happening INSIDE a group. If the group is not adherent to its mission statement and core values, then the probability of valuable energy being siphoned off by parasitic elements is heightened.  As stated in an earlier post (Conservatism-The Divided Attack) organizations, political parties, candidates … all are like “vehicles.”   All need energy to “go fast.”  The Tea Part Movement is pure ENERGY … that element all of the vehicles need.  Don’t be surprised if a local politician draws near to siphon off some of the energy … they all need it and recognize the POWER of this movement. They will try. Only GIVE energy if it fits your mission statement and your core values.

Internally, beware of  someone  becoming outspoken about a potential candidate and is “campaigning” for the person rather than adhering to the mission statement and core values of the group.  Campaigning is for political parties and we are not a political party. Let the “campaigner” know this behavior is counter-productive to the mission and core values of a Tea Party group. (Read the mission statement again, campaigning is not a part of it!).  Don’t allow the energy to be drained away or captured. Guard it jealously … it is your political currency. Spend it when you VOTE!

  • Example: In our local Tea Party Group, a politician asked to be a part of a rally. The coordinator for the rally said that we would be pleased to have them participate. She recommended the politician bring a lawn chair so he would be more comfortable sitting and listening to the ideas. Our politician got the drift of her message. They have done all the talking, now they need to do all the listening!  Point made! No energy usurped.

Anger and Leadership Control:

Another common problem will be that there will be strongly opinionated people in the group. People are becoming angry with the government (75% of them, according to CNN think the government is a threat!).  So “anger” is an inevitable element … people ARE upset, that’s why they go to the meetings, why they volunteer their time and contribute their energy. This “EMOTION” is the birth of ENERGY. Channel it toward our enemies, never at each other. So be ready for the anger. Allow it to vent, encourage people to “let it out.” Discuss it, then turn to the Mission Statement and Core Values again.  People with strong opinions will automatically tend to assume leadership. Remind everyone that this is a “populist” movement and EVERYBODY is a leader. The trick is to make sure all the “leaders” are focused on the same goals and core values.  (How many times have I said it?  MISSION! CORE VALUES! Over and over).

Troubleshooting:

There is a tendency, when something goes wrong, to blame PEOPLE.  “Sally, just doesn’t know how to run a group.”  “I wish they would just do it right, instead of the way they are doing it!”  You’ll hear all kinds of disparaging remarks. When you hear them, they are a signal that PEOPLE are being blamed.

In group dynamics … PEOPLE DO NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS …POOR PROCESSES CAUSE PROBLEMS.  Never blame the person, ALWAYS suspect the process.  Then FIX the process so the problem cannot happen again.  Sometimes it is as simple is not having the mission statement available, or the core values are not visible … the most simple flaw in the process can cause immense problems. Too frequently, problems will occur when people stray from the mission and core values … or are not sufficiently trained in group dynamics to know what to expect of themselves and of others.  When you are troubleshooting a problem in the group … these are the places to focus upon and repair.

The Bottom Line

Tea Party Groups are no different from another group and fundamental group dynamics will apply in every case.  Be sure your group understands the dynamics, make sure everyone understands the Mission and keep the core values visible.

Our “friends” on the Left cannot wait for us to fail. They cannot wait to report the next “broken Tea Party group” or the latest “rift” in the Tea Party Movement.  Most of this is typical smoke from the left, if it is not real, they simply invent it. So even if the Tea Party Movement ran perfectly (which it will not because it is made up of real people) … the headlines would still point out the failures. So we have to do everything in our power … as INDIVIDUALS to help keep the movement on track and focused.  If you read the headlines, and believe them, you would laugh at the movement. But if you join a Tea Party Group and see what is really happening, you will ignore the headlines, hold your head proud, and know that you … RIGHT NOW … are just as important as the men who dressed up as Indians and threw the tea into the sea.  This is YOUR TIME and YOUR TEA PARTY ……


Recent Posts, References and Updates

Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!

America Rising and Why

February 26th, 2010
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Today I am flying the “Don’t Tread on me!” Gadsden Patriot Flag.  People wonder why are are joining Tea Parties around the country. Calling us names and mocking us has become a daily ritual of the Left and the Left-Leaning news media. After the so-called “Health Care” summit yesterday, the anger rose to a new level as Liberals threatened to use Reconciliation to pass the bill … IN SPITE of the will of the majority of Americans.  The result is clear in the polls.

The President’s approval rating is now in the 40’s, Congress is down to 10% approval and even CNN is reporting that “Congress is a threat to our rights.”  And people wonder why we act so “strangely?”  Actually, we are not acting strangely, we are acting as normal Americans who are revolted by the thought of this out of control administration and Congress going forward with their agenda without the will of the people. We are not acting “strangely” … we are acting!  America is Rising!

America is Rising – A Must Watch Video.  If you wonder “why?” … here’s your answer!

Congressional Approval Ratings

Rasmussen:

  • Voter unhappiness with Congress has reached the highest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports as 71% now say the legislature is doing a poor job. That’s up ten points from the previous high of 61% reached a month ago.
  • 10% Approve! Only 10% of voters say Congress is doing a good or excellent job.
  • Democrats give Congress poor rating: Nearly half of Democratic voters (48%) now give Congress a poor rating, up 17 points since January. The majority of Republicans and voters not affiliated with either party also give Congress poor ratings.
  • 70% dissatisfied with Congress: Seventy percent (70%) of voters say Congress has not passed any legislation that would significantly improve life for Americans, up 10 points over the past month and the highest level of dissatisfaction measured in regular tracking in over three years. Only 15% say Congress has passed such legislation.
  • Rasmussen: Only 25% of people think America is going in the right direction, record low! (03.04.10)

Presidential Approval Index for March 25, 2010: (Rasmussen)

Rasmussen: Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President’s performance. That matches the lowest level of total approval yet measured for this President. Fifty-five percent (55%) disapprove.

Even CNN is weighing in …

Washington (CNN) — A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.

Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.

The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: Only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of independents and nearly seven in 10 Republicans say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans. According to CNN poll numbers released Sunday, Americans overwhelmingly think that the U.S. government is broken, though the public overwhelmingly holds out hope that what’s broken can be fixed.

The Bottom Line

Look at the numbers!

  • 90% of people do not approve of Congress
  • Presidential approval is at -20%.
  • 56% of Americans think government is a threat to Freedom and Liberty!

So what will Americans do about it?

  1. Some will not notice (but that percentage is becoming VERY small, now an insignificant voting block
  2. Some are finally noticing and beginning to talk about it, this is the “maybe we should do something” crowd.
  3. Some are fed up and doing something about it … this is the growing number that threatens the Democrats. This voting block represents the “do something” people.

Emerging Activism

The second and third groups above are the voting blocks that are growing, and unlike the first block, these are the people who are most likely to vote!  These are also the people who are expressing their anger on their blog and forum posts on the Internet. These are the people sending around the angry emails. And these are the same disenfranchised people who voted in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts … and THREW OUT the people they disapprove of so vehemently.

The Tea Party Movement:

The people from these two groups are the ones joining the Tea Party Movement.  And people, in these  local meetings, are demanding that their group “do something.”  The most often heard question is “What can I do about it?” and “What are we going to do about it?” Waiting until the “next election” is not action enough for these people, they want to do something NOW.  And so the Tea Party movement grows each week.  People want to express their anger (as seen in the polls above) and the QUICKEST WAY to do it is at the local Tea Party weekly meeting.  By going to the meeting, by discussing the issues, by being with other people who also are disappointed and threatened by our government … by attending and getting involved, they are “doing something.”

… and each week, they bring their friends. Friends, at first a little tentative about becoming “activists,” but people who also are realizing there is not other choice if they want to support their vision of the United States of America. Once at the meeting, they realize they are not among “right-wing radicals” as portrayed by the media . There are no strangers in these meeting, they discover the people there are their friends and neighbors … not gun-wielding, wide-eyed radicals! They become “comfortable” with this gentle activism. They volunteer to help, they form study groups, they attend Constitutional  Instruction classes. And they are determined to take back their country!

DO SOMETHING!

In which of the three groups above do you reside?  If you are in the first group, then you shouldn’t be spending time here reading a blog, you should get a life!

If you are in the latter two groups, then you need to DO SOMETHING.  Every person is important, every action and activity counts … and they add up in staggering numbers. (Read First There Were Two of Us).  In the picture below, my son and I are two of the 1,750,000 people you see.  Going to the 912 March on DC was an outward and visible act of doing something. It “made a statement.”  But then what?  What do you do after the march?  You come home, you talk to a neighbor, you join the local Tea Party Group and you too become part of an overwhelming force to take back our country.  Welcome aboard! Be a part of it. America is Rising!

Recent Posts, References and Updates

  1. Pajamas Media 02.28.10 – GOP on Track to Win the Senate

Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!

Adopt-A-TeaParty

February 25th, 2010
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This post for fellow bloggers: Today I am flying the Gadsden Flag. I fly this flag when the blog post concerns the Tea Party Movement or Taxes.  Today, I would like to encourage all bloggers, who have a little extra room on their site, a practical blog template, a little spare time and a wish to “get involved” and “do something!” Solution? Adopt-A-TeaParty!  I did and you can see the result HERE or click on the Bluffton Tea Party “gateway” on the right rail of the blog.  You can also go to the right rail of this post under the “Twitter” Button and click there to “enter” the area reserved for the Bluffton (SC) Tea Party Patriots.

Involved in your local Tea Party Group? Want to be?  As a blogger, you may have a unique opportunity to give a little time and help that could make a BIG difference.

Local Groups Need our Expertise: Because the Tea Party Movement is “populist” and not organized, is leaderless and is grass-roots … few of the small, local Tea Party Groups have the finances or the technical ability to create and keep up a web page.  As bloggers, you and I don’t think much about this problem, we put a “page” up every day if we like and sometimes more if we’re on a roll!  So we take for granted our talents and our expertise that is, for us, as easy as typing an email.

How can a “blogger” help? Many of us are already in Tea Party Groups, or have gone to the “national” Tea Parties, so our level of involvement is as varied as there are blog sites and styles. There is a way for us to do more very easily.  Dedicate one post to your local Tea Party Group.   Post all their information and contact links for them on the site and keep it up for them. Once you are set up, you are talking about “minutes” a day for maintainance and you are offering maximum communications for the little local group.

Setting it up: Here on The Patriot’s Flag, we are lucky to have a template that will easily facilitate a Tea Party Post (BlogPage) inside an active blogging site.  One of the problems with using a blog is today’s post is soon buried in newer posts. So having a “place” for the Tea Party Group soon gets hidden in the blog posts.  There is a way around this.  If you will look on my right rail, right under the Twitter button, you’ll see a “gateway” for the Bluffton Tea Party Patriots to use to go to their information. Clicking on it is a simple link right to the post for the group.  So no matter how many posts I may make, the gateway will be there for them to take them “home” to their page.  Also, my page may hold interest for Tea Party People … and they may get sidetracked to read some of the other things I’ve posted.  No matter how far they may stray into the blog, the Gateway is still right there on the right rail so they can get “home” with a click.  Keep in mind many people will not “understand” being “inside” an active blog. So I have also renamed my “Recent Posts” to “Patriot Flag Posts” … this so a Tea Party person won’t think those posts are for them.  As you set up your Tea Party Blog Page … put yourself into “their” shoes and edit out any confusion.

Blog Mechanics: On the page itself, I made sure they knew there were “home” by creating a big banner for them, (look left).  Under that banner I explain this is “their” area and that anything under that banner is information for the Bluffton Tea Party Patriots.  Then I make sure “outsiders” who stumble upon the page understand that they are welcome to browse through the information. Hopefully other bloggers will check it out and duplicate what we’ve got … or even better, send suggestions on how they have made THEIR adopted Tea Party’s site even better. (My email link is there on the page). Then below that line is the information from the group.

Maintenance is Easy! As you will see (if you care to go look), the page is mostly links.  We are keeping the NEWS in the Newsletter. In our community we have found people pay a great deal more attention to emails than web pages.  So the key communication vehicle will be the newsletter … but all the backup, mostly unchanging information will be on the web page as a refer to site for the group.  This makes “our job” easy.  Once you’ve got the basics set up, there is very little maintenance.  You are doing a very big service for your local Tea Party Group, you become not just a “talker” but a “walker” in the Tea Party Movement yourself.

Vist the Nat'l Tea Party Patriots SiteFinding your local Group: Although “Google” is always available, I hope people go to the Tea Party Patriots national site. Tea Party Groups are listed there for different areas and you can quickly contact people and see if there is any interest in your help.  Also, this is the “internet” … so if you are hosting a blog and living in Iceland … you can still have a page for a local group here in the USA.  (We’ve conquered the time-space continuum.   If you don’t have a local group, Adopt-a-TeaParty group from the list. It does not matter where you live, you can still help out.

The Bottom Line

If you are an active blogger, have a “template” that will handle this idea, and have the wish to become a part of the grass-roots Tea Party movement, here is an easy and most helpful way to become involved.  I would love to hear from you if you Adopt-A-TeaParty … jdlinn@ThePatriotsFlag.com.  You may also, of course, use my site’s example when talking to a group. Some people have to actually “see” it to visualize your proposal. And you can’t steal these ideas, because I’ve offering all the ideas we have for free!  No matter what, Keep on Blogging!

Recent Posts, References and Updates

Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!

Bluffton SC Tea Party Patriots

February 22nd, 2010
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Bluffton SC Tea Party Patriots

Welcome! BLUFFTON S.C. TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!

For Bluffton Tea Party Patriots … you are in the right place!  Here you will find all latest information, contacts, schedules and study group reports and these will be updated frequently.   Just so you know, this page is an actual “post” inside an active blog called The Patriot’s Flag. If you look at the column to the right (called the “right rail”),  the information and links you see there is for the followers of The Patriot’s Flag. You are welcome to browse anything on the site and you will see it change often. However, be aware only the information under the blue banner above is sanctioned by the Bluffton Tea Party Patriots. All other information on this site is for the the followers of The Patriot’s Flag blog.

For people not in the Low Country of South Carolina, you are welcome to browse through the information for our local Tea Party Group and watch our activities.  We also  hope you are getting involved in a Tea Party effort in your area. Contact Tea Party Patriots to find your local group.

For Conservative Bloggers: If your blog template can function similar to this template, you should consider adopting a local Tea Party Group as I have, (See Adopt-A-TeaParty). This is a quick and easy way to give them a web presence and gives you an opportunity to contribute to this important effort. To find a group  and activities in your area you can contact the home page of  the Tea Party Patriots.

If anyone has a question or comment about the site, they can contact us at  jdlinn@ThePatriotsFlag.com.

Site Navigation/Menu

Click on any of these links to go directly to that information area:

  1. About  Us – Mission & Core Values
  2. First Things First and News!
  3. Contacts and Committees
  4. Events and Dates
  5. Email Links and Reference Links
  6. South Carolina Legislation Study Group (ACTION ALERT!)
  7. Illegal Immigration Study Group
  8. BTPP Patriots’ Book Study Group

The Bluffton Tea Party Patriots – About us

About Us:

We are committed to standing together shoulder to shoulder, to protect our country and the Constitution upon which we were founded. We promote a better understanding of the Constitution and the Responsibility of citizens to protect and defend it. We are concerned about excessive government spending, taxation, and corruption in government. Our core values are fiscal responsibility, constitutionally -limited government and free markets. We are not a political party. We are your friends and neighbors concerned about the future of the nation. We are a loosely formed group who wants the government to hear our voices. We are a grass roots organization of individuals united by our core values derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights as explained in the Federalist Papers. Our group is planning the Tax Day Tea Party in Bluffton, SC on April 15, 2010.

Mission Statement

The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.

Core Values

  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Constitutionally Limited Government
  • Free Markets

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First Things First! Latest News

Get on our email list:

  • Since we have this web post, we will use it for most of our information. We will use the email list to send out announcements.  We know many people would rather have an email come to them than have to go to a web page, so we’ll get you the information both ways.  To sign up for the email list, click on this email address. teapartybluffton@live.com

Help us make the email list GROW!:

  • Word of mouth, or word of “mouse” is VERY important to Tea Party communications.  Ask the people on your email list if they would like to sign up for our announcements … once you have their permission, you can send in their address, or they can send it themselves.  Then ask them to try to add people from their email list of friends. We really need your help in this area.  Thank you.

Site Navigation and Site Explanation

Bumper Sticker:

  • To the right is the bumper sticker we will be handing out to Bluffton Tea Party Patriots, keep an eye out for it, you’ll be seeing it soon!

National Tea Party Patriots (join the national group)

  • Join the national Tea Party Patriots (click here). They have informative newsletters and the latest information on the nation-wide Tea Party Movement.  When you join the group, here is an example of the QUALITY of newsletter you get from the national group (Click Here).  These come about once a day … excellent information!

What makes a Tea Party Group work? (A quick read)

  • Tea Party Group Dynamics … How to interface a Tea Party Group, what to expect, what to do, pitfalls, challenges and pure patriotic pride! This can help us understand how to work together efficiently, securing success, as failure simply is not an option!

National Tea Party Communications:

Activists’ Training Camp

Columbia “Field” Trip

  • Here’s a chance for you to see your state legislature. Many of us are “transplants” … so here’s an opportunity to see “Columbia” with Al Linsky as your tour guide. Go to the “sausage factory” and see how it works up Close. Contact Al Linsky to tell him you are interested.

New Study Groups

  • Don’t see your favorite subject?  Well here’s your chance … start a study group. Get your name and email address to the Coordinators and we’ll help you get started. We’ll also support your group and its efforts right here.

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Contacts and Committees

Bluffton Tea Party Patriots Contacts:

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Events and Dates

Next Meeting:

Tea Party Patriots of Bluffton will hold a general meeting on Friday, March 5th at 6:30 PM in the meeting room at Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center Building, 40 Okatie Center Blvd. All are welcome.

TAX DAY TEA PARTY

  • Tea Party Patriots, let’s party like it’s 1773!
  • Thursday, April 15, 2010 — Old Town Promenade, Bluffton – 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
  • The program will feature a live musical “Salute to America,” citizen speakers, Founders Trivia and lots of audience participation. Prizes will be awarded for the best overall sign, most unique patriotic costumes and best decorated carriage, stroller or wagon.
  • Bring your lawn chairs, come early and enjoy the camaraderie with your fellow patriots.

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Email Links and Reference Links

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South Carolina Legislative News – Al & Judy Linsky

About this Group: This is a small study group that has formed to discuss on-going South Carolina state legislation and its impact on the citizenry.

SC Legislative Action Links:

Immediate Action Alert (items needing immediate attention)

  • Sembler Mall Bill – Contact all the Senators at their Columbia offices concerning this bill: (Senate Link Here)


Legislation to watch: (Navigation Menu – Click on any link below to go directly to that bill)

SC Concealed Weapons Legislation S. 753  General Bill

Sponsors: Senators Knotts, S. Martin, Rose, Bright, Leatherman, McConnell, Courson, Williams, McGill, Elliott, Mulvaney, Rankin, Coleman, Campbell, Campsen, Shoopman, Grooms, Verdin, Fair, Cleary and Bryant

Introduced in the Senate on April 23, 2009

Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary

(To Legislative Sub Menu)

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Sembler Mall -Multicounty Business Park S. 1054 General Bill

Note: SampleText for calls to Legislators …

Sponsors: Senators Pinckney and Malloy

  • [Provides] counties a means of funding grants to certain private entities for the purpose of defraying a portion of the cost of infrastructure related to these developments after the developments have been constructed, certain initial levels of employment have been satisfied and new sales tax revenue targets have been met and the level of investment and number of jobs required to be created before the provision of the grants is designed to avoid speculative risk and, together with demonstrated revenues, are designed to ensure that the benefit to the public in new investment and jobs will render the public the primary beneficiary of the incentive notwithstanding the incidental benefits that may be derived by the private grantees;
  • In addition to the matters specified in Section 4-1-170, the agreement relating to the designated economic development site may provide that an amount equal to three-fourths of the revenues collected in the designated economic development site from sales taxes imposed pursuant to Section 12-36-2620(1) must be paid quarterly by the Department of Revenue from the general fund of the State to the counties and allocated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement for the qualifying period, except during a suspension period.

Introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2010

Status: Currently residing in the Senate

Comments from Senator Tom Davis:

The capital threshold in order to qualify for the infusion of public cash for this private mall is $200 million, which could be met in part by Jasper County issuing special revenue bonds (the bill doesn’t require Sembler to put up the capital; the county can) — which the county has already said in a resolution it intends to do. The state law definition of “new job” is modified in the Sembler bill so that jobs shifted from existing stores can be counted (the state’s omnibus incentive law requires that new jobs created actually be “new”). The state’s chief economist, in the formal assessment of the Sembler deal’s impact, says that no new jobs will be created, thus the need to strip the “anti-shifting” clause from the definition of “new job” in Sembler’s bill. Even the “total sales” threshold is fake, with Sembler allowed to take the highest selling two quarters in any given year and annualize it (the third and fourth quarters — which include the prime tourist season and Christmas and Thanksgiving will probably be used. Over $100 million of taxpayer money will be paid out of the state’s general fund to this private mall developer.  This is a waste of tax money and unfair to other retailers who are doing their best with their own money to stay afloat.

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Roll Call Votes - H. 3047 General Bill

Sponsors: Reps. Haley, Ballentine, Wylie, Stringer, R.L. Brown, Kirsh, E.H. Pitts, Miller, G.R. Smith, Whipper, Huggins, Frye, Knight, Daning, J.E. Smith, Rice, Anderson, G.M. Smith, Phillips, Clyburn, Hart, Bowen, T.R. Young, Simrill, Duncan, Gunn, Agnew, Viers, Cobb-Hunter, King, Allison, Nanney, Bingham, Hamilton, Toole, Hiott, Millwood, Stavrinakis, Funderburk, Battle, Neilson, Erickson, Cole, Hutto, Pinson, Jefferson, Stewart, Bedingfield and D.C. Moss

Companion/Similar bill(s): 11

Introduced in the House on January 13, 2009
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means

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State Sovereignty – S. 424 Concurrent Resolution

Sponsors: Senators Bright, S. Martin, Alexander, Campbell, Fair, Knotts, Cromer, Mulvaney, Verdin, L. Martin, Shoopman, Rose, McConnell, Thomas, Cleary, Courson, Coleman, Davis, Reese, Campsen, Grooms, Ryberg, Peeler, O’Dell, Bryant and Massey

Companion/Similar bill(s): 3509

(What is State Sovereignty? … Patriot’s Flag Post – “Got State Sovereignty“)

(South Carolina State Sovereignty … Patriot’s Flag Post – “Getting States Sovereignty, SC”)

TO AFFIRM THE RIGHTS OF ALL STATES INCLUDING SOUTH CAROLINA BASED ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NINTH AND TENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly declares that the people of this State have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent State, and shall exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right pertaining thereto, which is not expressly delegated by them to the United States of America in the congress assembled; and

Whereas, some states when ratifying the Constitution for the United States of America recommended as a change, “that it be explicitly declared that all powers not expressly and particularly delegated by the aforesaid are reserved to the several states to be by them exercised”; and

Whereas, these recommended changes were incorporated as the Ninth Amendment, where the enumeration of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people, and as the Tenth Amendment, where the powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people; and

Whereas, the several states of the Untied States of America, through the Constitution and the amendments thereto, constituted a general government for special purposes and delegated to that government certain definite powers, reserving each state to itself, the residuary right to their own self government. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of South Carolina, based on the above principles and provisions, hereby declares by this resolution, that any act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States, or Judicial Order by the federal courts which assumes a power not delegated to the government of the United States of America by the Constitution and which serves to diminish the liberty of any of the several states or their citizens shall abridge the Constitution. The General Assembly further declares that acts which would cause such an abridgment include, but are not limited to:

(1)    establishing martial law or a state of emergency within one of the states comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that state;

(2)    requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law;

(3)    requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of eighteen other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law;

(4)    surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government;

(5)    any act regarding religion, further limitations on freedom of political speech, or further limitations on freedom of the press; and

(6)    further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

Introduced in the Senate on February 12, 2009

Introduced in the House on January 21, 2010

Status: Last Amended on February 25, 2010, Currently residing in the House

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Gold and Silver Coinage Legislation H 4501 General Bill,

Sponsors: M.A. Pitts and Loftis

A Bill to Amend the code of laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding article 18 to Chapter 1, Title 1, so as to provide that silver and Gold Coin shall be legal tender in payment of certain debts.

  • The South Carolina General Assembly finds and declares that the State is experiencing an economic crisis of severe magnitude caused in large part by the unconstitutional substitution of Federal Reserve Notes for silver and gold coin as legal tender in this State. The General Assembly also finds and declares that immediate exercise of the power of the State of South Carolina reserved under Article I, Section 10, Paragraph 1 of the United States Constitution and by the Tenth Amendment, is necessary to protect the safety, health and welfare of the people of this State, by guaranteeing to them a constitutional and economically sound monetary system.

Status: 02/02/10 House Introduced and read first time HJ-85, 02/02/10 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-86, 02/25/10 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Loftis

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Repeal of South Carolina Subversives Act

S1167 Attempt to repeal the law that all “subversives” must register with SC under penalty of fine.

This is an “old” law that, on the Internet, is being portrayed as a new law. It was enacted in 1976 and the present activity in Columbia is to repeal it … although this is not what you will see at most sites.   The left paints this law as “active” to try and demonstrate how “backwards” we are in South Carolina.  Here are some background sites:

This bill is now in the Judiciary sub-committee consisting of Senators Knotts, Coleman and Massey.

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Illegal immigration Study Group – Brenda Flowers

Welcome to our immigration group, our objective as a group, is to work together on a local, state and national level, while researching immigration laws introduced, enacted, adopted and signed into law in the United States of America. With this research we will implement and enforce passed legislation in South Carolina with our South Carolina elected officials.

Other States that are passing immigration laws on state and local levels are seeing their illegal alien population decline. But illegal aliens and their families are migrating to states that are behind in passing affective immigration legislation.

SAVE Act HR 4088

House Minority leaders are now introducing a, “discharge Petition,” to bring the Secure America through Verification of Enforcement (SAVE) Act (HR 4088). This petition will force Speaker, Nancy Pelosi and her constituents to vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. There are now 141 House members who have signed on as cosponsors, we need 218 to sign the petition. Call your Capitol Switchboard today at 202-225-3121 to reach your Representative and tell them to sign.

States with Mandatory E-Verify

Illegal Immigration Links

Study Group Links

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BTP Patriots’ Book Study Group – Tea Party Patriot Needed!

  • We are currently looking for a discussion leader for the Book Club.  At the last meeting 14 Patriots bought their copy of The 5000 Year Leap, and expressed an interest in a Book Club.  If anyone is interested in being the discussion leader for the Book Club, please let Mary Lou know at the March 5th meeting or e-mail teapartybluffton@live.com.
  • Update: We received another shipment of books and will have them for sale at the meeting this Friday. So far 16 Patriots have expressed an interest in a discussion group on The 5000 Year Leap.  We found an easy-to-use, yet comprehensive, study guide, and we are looking for a discussion leader or leaders. If you would like to be one of the discussion leaders, please let Mary Lou know at Friday’s meeting.  We could rotate discussion leaders if there are several of us who want to take turns. There’s a lot of “meat” in this book, so it looks like the group may want to cover the discussion in 3 or 4 sessions, or even more.

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For questions about the setup of this web page, please contact Doug Linn @ jdlinn@ThePatriotsFlag.com

Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!

The Tea Party – My POV

February 17th, 2010
1 comment

Today I am flying the Gadsden Flag … a Patriot Flag I fly when The Patriot’s Flag discusses either Taxes or Tea Parties. A “Conservative Who’s Who” group has convened at Mt. Vernon (2:30 PM EST, Feb 17, 2010) to sign the Mt. Vernon Statement, posted below.  This is a historical repeat of the Sharon Statement, a similar action that was taken in September 11, 1960. That statement basically started the Conservative Movement. The Mt Vernon Statement is trying to restart the movement, the text follows:

Constitutional Conservatism: A Statement for the 21st Century
We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the American Founding.  Through the Constitution, the Founders created an enduring framework of limited government based on the rule of law. They sought to secure national independence, provide for economic opportunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a flourishing society of republican self-government.
These principles define us as a country and inspire us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous, just nation unlike any other in the world. They are our highest achievements, serving not only as powerful beacons to all who strive for freedom and seek self-government, but as warnings to tyrants and despots everywhere.
Each one of these founding ideas is presently under sustained attack. In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, our universities and our politics. The self-evident truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that no such truths exist. The federal government today ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increasingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant.
Some insist that America must change, cast off the old and put on the new. But where would this lead — forward or backward, up or down? Isn’t this idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous deception?
The change we urgently need, a change consistent with the American ideal, is not movement away from but toward our founding principles. At this important time, we need a restatement of Constitutional conservatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature’s God. It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. It recognizes man’s self-interest but also his capacity for virtue.
The conservatism of the Constitution limits government’s powers but ensures that government performs its proper job effectively. It refines popular will through the filter of representation. It provides checks and balances through the several branches of government and a federal republic.
A Constitutional conservatism unites all conservatives through the natural fusion provided by American principles. It reminds economic conservatives that morality is essential to limited government, social conservatives that unlimited government is a threat to moral self-government, and national security conservatives that energetic but responsible government is the key to America’s safety and leadership role in the world.
A Constitutional conservatism based on first principles provides the framework for a consistent and meaningful policy agenda.
It applies the principle of limited government based on the rule of law to every proposal.
It honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life.
It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and economic reforms grounded in market solutions.
It supports America’s national interest in advancing freedom and opposing tyranny in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end.
It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, neighborhood, community, and faith.
If we are to succeed in the critical political and policy battles ahead, we must be certain of our purpose. We must begin by retaking and resolutely defending the high ground of America’s founding principles.
The Bottom Line

The Mission of the Mt Vernon Statement is to restart the Conservative Movement … which is already in high gear … only we call it the Tea Party Movement.  The statement has fine ideas and sets high ideals … I like it. But it is not “my” statement and it will not affect how I help organize the April 15th Tea Party in my area … I’ve got my own ideas.  (This is why they describe  this movement as “grass-roots” and “populist.”)

The American Thinker: Populist Constitutionalism and the Tea Party You should read this article as background. What Larry Anderson is stating is that unlike a political party, the Tea Party movement is a “populist” movement … it is, by definition, leaderless.  Probably the best example of the power of such a movement came just before and during the Prohibition era. That classic “populist” movement … totally leaderless … built sufficient energy to change the Constitution TWICE!

Tea Party Patriots

“Populism” has an “idea” at its center and as its soul. In the case of Prohibition, the central idea was alcohol.  In the present Tea Party Movement, the central theme is “adherence and protection of the Constitution.”  It is around this central theme that people are gathering and gaining strength.  It is not gaining strength and energy because of  a charismatic leader (we’ve had enough of that this year!) …  the energy permeates from a single idea.  And and idea cannot be put in jail, sued or even killed.  The power of a populist movement is that its leaders cannot be sought out, targeted, and destroyed. This is why it is impervious to the Alinsky approach of the Progressives that would attack the movement.  The Tea Party movement baffles them because there is no ‘target’ … no ‘head to cut off.

The Tea Party People and Party and Leader-Independent. The Tea Party People I know don’t want anything to do with a party, and they resent someone stepping forward to be a “leader.”  When Micheal Steel met with some “leaders” of the Tea Parties … Tea Party People went a little nuts wondering who anointed these people to speak for them?  That attitude is what makes the movement stay independent and it is also the attitude that gives the Tea Party Movement its strength … and is its ultimate defense.  Trying to form a “party” from this movement would kill the  momentum, and that is why that ideas is flatly rejected. (See Beware -Poison in the Tea?, this blog).

BigGovernment.com: Big Government has learned that Clintonistas are plotting a “push/pull” strategy. They plan to identify 7-8 national figures active in the tea party movement and engage in deep opposition research on them. If possible, they will identify one or two they can perhaps ‘turn’, either with money or threats, to create a mole in the movement. The others will be subjected to a full-on smear campaign.

Click to Visit Patriot Flag Gallery for 912

Link to Patriot's Flag Gallery

Attack What? The Clintonistas (Carville, et all) can’t attack. What are they going to attack? There is no person, no organization, no headquarters to attack. They want to pick out “7 or 8 leaders of the movement” … this demonstrates they are trying to apply ideological Alinsky offense and clearly demonstrates little understanding what is happening.  I’m in the “movement” … and I HAVE NO LEADER!  All they can do is “attack the idea.”  The Alinsky Rules for Radicals doesn’t work against an idea, it is designed to be used against people, leaders and organizations. In fact it is defeated by ideas. So who in the Tea Party Movement they are going to attack? “Me?” They don’t even know who I am. I was one of 1,750,000 people at the 912 March on Washington … and Obama said he was “unaware” we were even there. The “attack” by the Clintonistas and Carville will be fun to watch and those of us in the Tea Party Movement have a front row seat.  Ever want to see a bunch of libs go tilting at the proverbial windmills?  Now’s your chance … I cannot wait for the attack to begin, its about time we started having some FUN! It will be a circular firing squad.

Note: … this is exactly why the Tea Party Movement  must stay a “populist” movement and not be allowed to be usurped by any leader or organization. Those who wish to attack will have no target. In our case, if someone does attempt to take over the movement and become a leader, they instantly become a target of the Alinskyites and the libs will take them down for us … inadvertently doing OUR bidding.

Pure Energy

The Tea Party Movement is ENERGY. Think of the political parties as vehicles.  Each has features you may like or not, so you tend to choose one or the other. (Those features are the platforms … that none of them follow!). But the ENERGY that makes these “vehicles” go forward is the ENERGY of the people.  Many people have left both the Democrat and Republican Party, some were Libertarians and were never a part of either.  So “outside” the vehicle is this massing ENERGY that, if tapped will make the vehicles (parties) go fast!  It is normal for the Parties and Leaders to reach out and try to “tap” the energy for their own use.  But in the case of a populist movement, the Energy refuses to be tapped because its “forward motion” comes from its own energy and there is no need for the traditional vehicles.  And those in the movement resist such leadership and energy usurpation because they have seen it cut their effectiveness in the past.

Statements are fine, however… The Sharon Statement and now the Mt Vernon Statement are all good ideas, reminding us of our some of the aspects of our mission. But all we need to remember is the central idea … the Protection of the Constitution of the United States.” And we will strongly object to any outside force that jeopardizes or usurps that idea. The Mt Vernon Statement is interesting, however we will reject  allowing the “leaders” who signed the statement any power over our energy.  We do not need leaders.

It is working! We took Virginia, we took New Jersey, we took Massachusetts, Obama’s polls are in free-fall, the Democrat Congress has an approval ratio of 15%.  Democrats are fleeing office because they will be THROWN out in November and the know it. They are so desperate they are sending  James Carville after us to start a circular firing squad while we enjoy the show.  The success we have had are not because of a leader or an organization, those successes are happening because we lack both.  We are doing this ONE TEA PARTY AT A TIME.

The Candidates we will Vote for will get our “energy” ONLY if they accept OUR standards.

Recent Posts, References and Updates

  1. PajamasMedia – GOP Risks Being Swept Away by Tea Party Movement

Gadsden Flag - Taxes & Tea Parties!