Reports of Our Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

In this morning's Worcester Telegram there was an article talking about the current state of the tea party movement in Massachusetts. For the record, the reports of it's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Tea Party: It's up to us to make the changes

I'm glad to see there are others out there who feel the way that I do about what the tea party movement should be doing. A new party isn't the answer, but rather, changing the existing parties through removing the career politicians and running more conservative candidates, real conservatives.

Remember The Good Old Days

Here's a question: Do you believe the America of today is the same America you grew up in? How about the one your parents and grand parents grew up in? Think about it.

Republicans Liability to Tea Party

Ever since the election, we have been reading and hearing how the tea party is all done, how we no longer are relevant and that we might as well go and well, make tea. needless to say I disagree.

Focus and Refocus

Maybe it's me. Maybe I just don't understand the world. But why is it that people with good ideals always seem to get corrupted by money and power?

I Changed My Mind

I'm not resigning from the Republican Party. I know a few posts ago I said I was going to, but I have done some rethinking. After all it's the Republican Party that has left the republicans, not the true republicans who have left the party.

Welcome to the New Reality

A recent article from PJ media entitled “A Physician’s New Reality: Patients Ask Me to Break the Law” points out just a few of the problems we can expect from Obamacare. These issues will be typical of any “service” which the Government mandates to its citizens.

The Next Big Thing

Last week I asked the question where do we go from here. I asked if the Tea Party movement is still relevant, do we need to change directions and what went wrong.

Trust Us We're With The Government

Here are some mostly random thought from my Tea Party perspective on what has been going on lately and where we go from here.

Never Give In

On this Veteran''s Day, I am thinking of my Dad. He served in WW2 and according to him he won it and who am I to argue? My Dad had a couple people he really admired, one of them was Winston Churchill.

I'm Resigning

from the Republican party. After having plenty of time over the past 24 hours to think about this, I have decided that I am officially changing my party status back to "unenrolled". I no longer consider myself part of the Republican party.

Tea party Thoughts Part 2

Earlier today I posted my thoughts on the election. As stated in the post, this was an email I sent out to the mailing list of the Sturbridge Tea Party. I received this reply from one of our members and she agreed to let me post it.

Some Tea Party Thoughts

Here is a copy of a letter I sent to the members of the Sturbridge Tea Party group and I think it could be applicable to other groups as well. This is my perspective from my limited view.

Now What

Where do we go from here? That is the question. We are in for four more years of division, bitterness and erosion of freedom. So what do we as tea partiers do?

Almost Over

I've been hammered, crushed, struggling, worried and victimized. I've been lied to, had promises broken and have had war declared on me.  And that is just in the last hour.

The Storm of the Century

As I sit here at the little house on the lake, waiting for the storm of the century, I have to wonder about some of the things being said on the non-stop television coverage. Here they are in no particular order.

FrankenWarrenStein

I thught I would post this press release I received from the Mass Republican Party just in case any of those Elizabeth Warren supporters would like to see who their girls friends are.

Easy Choices Come November

Things are heating up in the political as we get closer to the November 6 elections. While here in Sturbridge there are no state races, right next door in Southbridge there is a contest for the Sixth Worcester District between incumbent Peter Durant (R-Spencer) and Kathleen Walker (D-Charlton).

Remember Operation Tree Party

How many of you remember Operation Tree Party? Probably not a whole lot of people since the left decided to politicize it, but let me refresh your collective memories.

It's Not Just About Obama/Romney

Many in the tea party movement have seemed to forgotten all about local races, whether state wide or national. In 2010, almost every US Congress seat in Massachusetts was contested. True, we didn't win, but we certainly came closer than anyone would have thought. Why wasn't there ANY challengers in some of the districts? Is anyone running against McGovern, Neal? And how much do we really hear about the races which are contested? We hear plenty on Brown/warren (more on this later) but do we hear about Bielat/Kennedy? Tierny/Tisei? Tsongas/ and whoever is running against her? 

As we inch closer and closer to election day, once again I feel the need to vent against some of my  tea party members, on both the state and local levels.

Save the Bird

To paraphrase a quote from a vice presidential debate many years ago: "I know Big-Bird and you sir, are no Big Bird." Of course that was what Lloyd Benson said to Dan Qualye when Qualye compared himself to John Kennedy. The question is, will either Joe Biden or Barack Obama use this line in an upcoming debate?

And The Lies Continue

I suppose I could go over my same old arguments about how the majority of people have absolutely no idea what the tea party really is, but then why bother since I am convinced that most people are like sheep who believe what they are told by the mainstream media.

No Choice But Brown

I have a question for my brothers and sisters in the tea party movement, the ones who refuse to back Scott Brown for the Senate: Is it better to back someone who has maybe voted against your views some of the time, or to vote for someone who will against your views all of the time?

Sturbridge Taxes Headed Down

I've got some good news, and I got some bad news for the residents of Sturbridge. But the rest of you should take heed as well. I went to the Selectman's meeting last night and here is what went down.

Hypocrisy At it's Finest

I realize that the Democratic Party is full of the most tolerant and inclusive people know to man, so I may be the only one who this interesting. It seems those who are most against voters having to show any identification when they go to vote insist that anyone attending the convention in Charlotte has to have a valid government issued ID.

Looking With Different Eyes

Here's a question for you: Who do your elected officials work for? Do they work for the people who elect them or special interests groups? When one is elected do they cease being an individual and have to check their own views and thoughts at the door?

A Step in the Right Direction

As much as I would like to think it was because of my last post, which I am sure it wasn't, I am glad to see that the Board of Selectmen decided not to go ahead with the $600,000 re-do of Walker Road. At Monday's meeting they voted 5 - 0 not to go forward with the plan. As mentioned during the meeting, this money could be better spent elsewhere.

The Common Good

Exactly what constitutes the "common good"? When it comes to government spending, who defines "common good"? Should there be some kind of ratio which would determine the amount of pain one group to help another group? 5 to 1? 100 to 1? 5,000 to 1?

Deval Patrick Does The Right Thing

Sorry I haven't been posting much, seems the notebook decided to take a little vacation, and since it would cost just as much to fix as to replace, I will eventually replace it. It is third in line after replacing one vehicle which also decided to take a dive and then another top secret project.

All Quiet On The Sturbridge Front

Bet you all thought I was gone huh? Nope, you couldn't be that lucky. I haven't been able to go to any local meetings lately which means I either have to write on what is in the paper or make stuff up. Of course there are many who say what we read in the paper is made up anyway. But who am I to say.

SCOTUS: Thank-you For Re-Energizing The Tea Party

While I have been trying to keep this particular blog on “local” tea party related topics, I thought I would write about yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court on Obamacare. Guess what? I personally think this is a great decision, especially for the tea party.

Fiscal Responsibility Means Thinking Out Of The Box

I promised the other day there would be no more posts about the Sturbridge Annual Town Meeting and I meant it. Well, okay maybe just a little bit more, although this isn't technically about it.

Town Meeting: Final Thoughts

Can we stand one more post about the Sturbridge Town Meeting? it will be the last, I promise, maybe.

If You Got ‘Em, Spend ‘Em, Taxes That Is

In yesterday’s post I mentioned how there were many “Closet Tea Partyers” at the annual Sturbridge Town Meeting. Unfortunately for the taxpayers there weren’t enough of them.

Sturbridge Town Meeting Wraps Up

You know you better hold onto your wallet when you go to the Town Meeting and the first car you see has an Obama bumper sticker, a 99% sticker, a Richard Neal sticker and an Elizabeth Warren sticker.

Sturbridge Town Meeting: Article 30–Vote Yes

Don’t forget on Monday night the Sturbridge Town Meeting is set to continue. There are still lots of things to argue about. The most important in my humble opinion is Article 30.

The Suspension is Killing Me

Well it seems the Sturbridge Town Administrator has gone and got himself suspended again. For the second time it is because of his tardiness.

Town Meeting Issues Continued

As promised here is a follow-up post to the post I did after the Town Meeting. I received several comments and thought I would discuss them a little further.

When It's Twilight On The Trail

Some times you just have to shake your head and wonder. Like I did last night at a joint meeting of the Trails Committee, the Conservation Committee and the Board of Selectmen here in Sturbridge.

Happy Trails To You

It seems that all trails lead to Sturbridge, or could if we are willing to shell out some money. I wish I could tell you how much but it seems that the Town Administrator is being a little less than forth coming with the info.

Democracy In-Action

I just spent two hours participating in what made this country great, the Sturbridge Annual Town Meeting. The Town meeting is where it all began, where business was conducted and the decisions were made.

Half a Loaf, Better Than None?

Just some last minute thoughts on tonight's town meeting. There are some important issues on the warrant, especially the citizen's petition, Article 4, which would level fund the budget. As of this writing i understand there will be a substitute motion which will increase the budget, but by only half of what the FinCom wants.

More On Article 4

While this post deals with Article 4 on the warrant of the Sturbridge Town Meeting, it really applies to any town or city which is dealing with rising tax rates. As I have written before, I beleive that changing the culture of spending and taxing begins at the local level and works its way up. Fiscal responsibility starts here.

Remember the Bricks?

As the annual town meeting approaches here in bucolic Sturbridge, let's take a look at yet another questionable expenditure that some feel is necessary. 

We Are Not Alone

While some will never admit it, we really are all in this fight together. Whether you want to call yourself a member of the tea party movement or not, we really are all on the same side.

More From A Frustrated Sturbridge Taxpayer

Let me throw this out there. I realize I am not a financial whiz, one only needs to look at my checkbook to see that. But I can’t understand why we can’t keep the town budget the same next year as it was this year.

Perusing On A Sunday Afternoon

On a lovely Sunday afternoon here in Sturbridge, I sit with my little notebook computer perusing the latest information on the upcoming Town Meeting and budgets. Ahh the interesting things we learn when we actually sit down and look.

From One Of Our Knox Trail Friends

I received this email from the Knox Trail Tea party regarding their meeting this past Tuesday. I am reprinting it without permission but John, it's for the cause.

If You Got It, Spend It

As anyone who follows this blog knows I believe in a level funded budget, meaning it shouldn’t go up every year. You know, like you do at home where you have to either spend less each year or the same as you did last year since your income more than likely hasn’t risen.

A New Reason To Raise Our Taxes

You just got to love the logic of the tax and spenders. Besides the usual whining about how teachers will have to be laid off and public services will need to be cut if there isn’t a Proposition 2 ½ override, we have something new.

Town Meeting Is Almost Here - Open Your Wallets

I really am convinced that I need to get more involved in politics at the local level. After all as I have stated many times to any one who cares to listen, and indeed even to those who don't, we need to change the culture of bigger government and bigger spending from the bottom up.

First the GSA, Now the EPA Thumbs Their Noses at us

A few posts ago I wrote about how some things transcend politics. I was referring to the planting of trees in the Town of Southbridge in neighborhoods affected by last year's tornadoes. There was a comment made by Anonymous saying I was always hard on government workers. He is right.

Reflections on Teas and Trees

Yesterday I spent the day in Brimfield helping plant some more trees as part of our "Operation Tree Party". Okay, so I didn't get dirty like I did in Southbridge but then they also serve who only pass out sandwiches.

Update on Sales Tax Update

My last post concerned the defeat of a proposed amendment in the Massachusetts house by the Democrat which would have rolled back the state sales tax. I guess I am not the only one who thinks this is a problem.

This link is to a blog post written by the bu the House Minority Leader, Bradley H. Jones Jr. and makes he also wonders why the Democrats keep looking at raising taxes instead of lowering them.

The Capitol View: House Minority Leader’s Statement on Defeat of Sales Tax Rollback Amendment

I have yet to find the actual roll call vote on who voted how, but I think it is safe to assume that those representatives listed on the blog voted to lower the taxes. Come November perhaps we can get some more names added to this list? Even better, maybe we could be the majority party?

Surprise MA Dems Won't Lower Sales Tax

Here is some news I bet you didn't see coming, the Massachusetts House Democrats are refusing to lower the state sales tax. Do you need any better reason to vote them out in November?

Some Things Transcend Politics

Today was spent helping to plant trees in the town of Southbridge, replacing a small fraction of those which were destroyed in the tornado which came through our area last June. I would like to share a couple of observations if I may.

CPA 1, Taxpayers 0

The local election is over and once again there have been lessons learned. First, let me say we lost the vote on Question 4 which was to revoke the CPA, so we will continue to incur more and more debt buying things we don’t need and can’t afford.

Spend it if you got it

Here it is Easter Sunday and what am I doing? Writing and thinking about politics and the CPA. But then if we don't do it who will?

Free Money Isn't Free

Why is it that people seem to think that any money which comes from the Government is free? In this debate we are having about the CPA for example, we keep hearing about we get this from the state, we get that from the state, has anyone ever stopped to think where this money actually comes from?

More Mis-information Being Spread by the CPAers

Here is a rather lengthy read of some recent information which has been put out there by CPA supporters, and a reply by Janet Garon. Why let the facts get in the way of a good tax hike?

Education on the Issues Should be Foremost

I spent the day at a local supermarket today handing out fliers and talking to people about the CPA and Question 4 on the local ballot. No, i am not going to rehash the arguments, well not today anyway. It was an interesting and eyeopening experience.

Hardly A Cup of Coffee

Here is a copy of another letter to the editor which was placed in the Southbridge News, written by Barbara Search of Sturbridge. In it she points out that the $4.3 million in debt the town is in, really will be about $6 million when you factor in the interest.

Revoking CPA is like giving money away?

We have another guest blog post today, this one from Chuck Belisle another Sturbridge resident.

Sturbridge, the cradle of liberty?

Following is a guest post from Carol Childress of Sturbridge regarding the CPA. I agree and this is the kind of thing the Tea Party Movement is truly all about. Thank you Carol.

The Tea Party: Why we do it

As I look more and more into this whole Community Preservation Act in Sturbridge, once again I am reminded just exactly what the Tea Party movement is really all about. Forget what you read in the lame stream media or hear on television, the real tea party is in your own hometown.

Sturbridge CPA, the plot thickens, maybe

There are days when I wish I still lived under the political rock and never got involved in anything. Of course becasue I spent so much time there already it can certainly be argued this is why we are in such a mess. Not that I was alone under the rock, I had plenty of company.

Time to dump the CPA in Sturbridge

A couple of weeks ago I posted a copy of a "Letter to the Editor" regarding the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and the effort to repeal this act in Sturbridge. There will be a ballot question at the election on April 9th. I have been receiving more information on the CPA and the more I learn the more I am for voting to get the town out of the CPA.

Another Obama Friday Surprise

Here's a surprise, the Obama administration has put through a statement on a Friday hoping no one is paying attention. This time it is on the HHS contraception mandate, which hasn't been changed to accommodate  religious objections as Obama promised.

The Writing on the Wall

I am sitting here on Saturday afternoon listening to an internet talk show when I really should be doing something else and was just struck by a thought. Scary huh that I actually think? Anyway a caller just mentioned how she had just recently began to pay attention to politics and is scared with what she sees.

It's Budget Time In Sturbridge

It's not often I agree with Mr. Creamer, really it all goes back to those damn brick sidewalks, but he does make some good points in his latest blog post. Selectman Thomas R. Creamer: The "Fairness Doctrine"

How Many Smiley Faces Did You Get

I admit I am terrible about opening my mail. I figure I can't pay the bills anyway so why even look at them. Okay that isn't entirely true, but when I know something isn't a bill I tend to put it away until later. Today was later.

For The Common Good

How many of you remember the good old days, back in say, 2008 when the campaign was heating up and the Democratic contender called for a "Citizen's Army"? There wasn't much made of it in the mainstream media, but there were a few bloggers out there who recall the speech.

Life in Idyllic Sturbridge

Now I know I can sure be a pain in the you know where at times but having begun reading the Sturbridge Master Plan, Vision and Goals section, I was struck by a couple of things. Now I admit, this has been out since March 2011 and I am just reading it now, and it will become clear as to why I am reading it now by the end of this post.

Guest Post: Letter to the Editor

Here is a copy of a letter to the editor I was asked to post from the folks (in Sturbridge we call them folks, fits with the character of the town don't you know) who are trying to get a question on the town ballot regarding the CPA funds. As anyone who knows me knows, anything to halt to raising of my taxes I support.

What Were They Thinking - Again

First it was the brick sidewalks, then the front doors of the Town Hall no one could use and now it seems someone decided to out the old single pane windows back into both the Town Hall and Center School instead of energy efficient thermal pane windows.

It Really is for the Grandchildren

On a cold and windy Sunday, it seems the perfect time to once again remind everyone of what I (and many of my fellow tea party members) think about exactly what the tea party movement is all about.

More Agenda 21

I received this email from Dave Kopacz who is heavily involved in Agenda 21 and its assorted incarnations. He is looking for help with this, so I have attached hi email address below if you are interested. 

Sturbridge Ballot Question Information

A couple of posts ago I received a comment on another post, the one about getting involved in local elections, regarding a ballot question on the Sturbridge ballot. The election is on April 9th. This is a subject which I totally agree with, and will be doing some more research on. Here is the comment:

Tennessee Tea Party Rewriting History

I have stated many times in the past that anytime one reads something these days you always have to consider the source. We all (yes, even me) have an agenda, and it can be hard to determine what is, to quote Fox News, "Fair and Balanced".

Obama Doesn't Get The Economy

In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama asked the question “But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes?” Wouldn’t a better idea be to lower the secretary’s taxes to pay the same as the billionaire? (Full transcript here)

Mitt Romney Releases Taxes - So What

Republican presidential contender, Mitt Romney, released his tax returns for 2010 and it brings up the question: So what? Do these returns show us anything we didn’t already know? The answer is no.

Here's Your Chance

Looking to make a difference in Sturbridge? Well then, how about running for one of the town positions which are open in town government? Nomination papers are now availablefrom the Town Clerk, and you only need 39 signatures from registered voters, preferably ones that are still living and you could have the chance of a lifetime.

New Hampshire Primary Reflections

In a speech in South Carolina Wednesday, republican candidate Newt Gingrich made a comment basically telling people not to vote for any candidate just because the main stream media says they are going to win, instead vote for who you think is the best candidate to beat Barack Obama. Of course Gingrich thinks that would be him. Other than that the advice is good.