There has been a lot of speculation about the future of the April 15 nationwide gatherings popularly known as TEA Parties (Taxed Enough Already).  Critics and skeptics alike – from a wide variety of media figures to elected officials – have dismissed the TEA Parties as one time events driven by a handful of malcontents and unworthy of additional comment (except, perhaps, for insult and denigration by liberal activists). 

Supporters and participants of the TEA Parties understand the undercurrent of discontent that the TEA Parties have tapped into among average Americans.  They have recaptured the spirit of independence upon which this nation was built and, as a consequence, are rocking the political establishment.  

The TEA Parties, however, cannot be content with the turnout and publicity they received on April 15.  If anything, a cohesive strategy must be developed to expand upon the TEA Parties and broaden their impact on both state and national issues.  Indeed, there are three simple things that TEA Party advocates and supporters should do in the coming months.

First, TEA Party activists and supporters must continue to educate themselves in the principles and ideals upon which this nation was established.  A thorough review of the Declaration of Independence will explain what our Founding Fathers believed about law, rights, and the duty of government, as well as specific reasons why the colonies chose to separate from Mother England.  A decent study of the Constitution will reintroduce the nature of the “separation of powers” advocated by our Founders, the brilliant nature of checks-and-balances they implemented, and how far astray we have allowed our political class to take use from the path originally laid out by Madison, Franklin and Washington.  

Second, participants and supporters of the TEA Parties should get involved at the state level in the 10th Amendment Movement currently working it’s way through various state legislatures across the country.  This movement, which has introduced or passed resolutions in at least 20 states, has the potential to pressure Congress into checking itself in its constant power grabs – provided these resolutions have the vocal support of a multitude of people behind it.  Additionally, if TEA Party supporters get involved in the 10th Amendment Movement, it will allow them to focus on a specific agenda item that transcends politics and ideology and reinforces historic constitutional principles.  

Third, the TEA Party organizers should prepare for another round of rallies on the weekend of the Fourth of July.  Specifically, two sets of rallies should be scheduled.  One at the individual state capitols on Friday, July 3 so that the individual legislatures will be reminded that the people of their respective states have not forgotten about the duty of local legislators to protect the interests and rights of the people against federal encroachment.  The other rally should be scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at the national capitol so the political class in the District of Columbia will understand that their role in screwing up this country has not been forgotten.

The TEA Parties have provided a wonderful new venue for channeling the national spirit of discontent towards the political elites in this nation, and their significance cannot be underestimates.  But under no circumstance can anyone be allowed to presume that April 15 was the end; if anything, it was the beginning of what may become a new and glorious chapter in American history.

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