Kimberly Morgan – Fri Apr 8, 2011

COMMENTARY | If you ask most Americans what they know about the Tea Party, they'll probably give you their impression based on the loudest, most current hype in the press at the moment. Not having ever attended a rally or even visited an official Tea Party site, many folks just base their opinion on sound bytes or a headline. Unfortunately, this doesn't usually reflect what the party's really about.
The Tea Party's aim is to enforce policies that promote fiscal responsibility; anyone from any political party who agrees will find a home here. The party's goal is to support a limited government and free market growth that will keep our nation strong. More than anything, it's about getting folks to understand that the Constitution isn't just an interesting historical document, and whether or not it's followed isn't optional. It should be the basis for what we do and how we run this country. You wouldn't run a business without a plan and mission statement. The Constitution is ours.
I'm a mother of three, a Navy Wife and a former teacher. While I love my country and will always be a proud American, I'm disappointed with the inability of both Democrats and Republicans to address issues I feel are essential to the principles important to the founding fathers, whose ideas regarding governance by "we the people" resonate with me. Because of this, I believe that the Tea Party is the best choice and our best hope for getting our country back on track.
This is why I'm excited about the Tax Day Tea Party events taking place all over the country next week. It's wonderful to see grassroots groups come together to share ideas, for people to see for themselves what the Tea Party represents.

This year promises to be an exciting one. Locally, Sen. Marco Rubio will be speaking about American Exceptionalism, along with dozens of other speakers, at the Tampa Bay Tax Day Tea Party on Friday, April 15, at 4 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. Among this year's keynote speakers are Dr. David McKalip, a Tampa neurosurgeon who will address health care reform, and Mike Pinson, founder of Americans for Freedom, who will share insight about grassroots efforts in the Tea Party and elsewhere.