This article is a mix of accuracies about what the real, legitimate concerns are and lumping them together with the extreme elements. The article takes several jabs at the movement. What we have to come to terms with is that all the groups mentioned-- Tea Party, 912, JBS, Tea Party Patriots, FreedomWorks, and others--have certain things in common. The consensus is the agreement and desire to return to a Constitutional government. Let’s apply the “Constitutional big tent” theory to these organizations.

We should expressly exclude the Republican Party. However, there should be no doubt, and a statement made to the fact, that members of the organizations under the “Constitutional big tent” are in fact working to cleanse the Republican Party of progressives and RINO’s and infuse it with true conservatives so it can be used to further the cause of freedom.

These groups have in common a demand to return to limited government (especially federal) as laid out in the Constitution to prevent the very abuses that are taking place at every level of government and on a scale that is almost impossible to comprehend. That demand does not make people extremists. YES, the states' rights are being trampled, as well. By accepting and often asking for Federal money, they have sold their souls and their people’s autonomy by having to comply with all accompanying imposed regulations. In the Constitution, states were deliberately given more power than the federal government, because they are closer to the people’s direct control. Those lines have been increasingly blurred.

There IS a great deal to be leery of; corruption IS rampant in government. It's really rotten in Oregon, too. Consider the iron-handed rule in Salem by the majority party and the intimidation of anyone who questions or disagrees with their policies. Right now there is government retribution being taken against businesses and organizations that supported NO on 66 & 67.

Do a lot of people have reason to fear that really harsh economic times are ahead? Yes. We have amassed, and continue to amass, unsustainable debt that is impossible to pay off.  If people aren't concerned, they have their heads in the sand. Is there reason to fear that violence could break out? Yes, because many of our people are not as tough and self reliant as in previous generations; too many feel they are entitled to have what they want and, if or when things crash, there is good reason to imagine that things could become chaotic. Would it not make sense to be prepared to defend your home and family from gangs and looters? Consider what happens when there is a disaster. Does that mean we're all involved in "right wing militia" groups?

Note how things are attributed to conservatives that were really started by the left--like the 9/11 Truthers (people who started that were the Michael Moores and Rosy O'Donnells; why would we have reason to believe that?) or the Birthers (Hillary Clinton's campaign was the first one to bring that up). Opinions vary among individuals in the various grassroots groups on the later, but is it not strange that no one can get access to any of President Obama's school, medical, work, and birth records without fighting in court for years? Can anyone imagine what would be the reaction if George Bush had sealed all his school records?

The reason many people in this movement are older (born in the 40’s and 50’s) is not because they want to go back to the days of segregation, as those who try to defame and marginalize us are saying. The reason is that we did not grow up being slowly dulled to the differences between right and wrong, truth and fiction, reality and fantasy, and common sense versus intellectual babble. The reason people gravitate to FOX News and those evil conservative talk hosts is because until recently they had to deny or be quiet about their gut feeling that our traditional American cultural values were being gradually undermined and eroded. They felt frustrated and unable to get others see what they were seeing. Finally, a few courageous radio figures began talking about it--and everyone said, “Yes, that's how I see things, too.” Until then we thought we were alone. But gradually we realized there are a lot more people like us out there than we thought. In fact, we actually are the majority—and as Glenn Beck said, “We surround them.” So now it’s time for us to use our new-found strength to push back.

The people have rejected what the administration and Congress are doing, but until the Scott Brown victory, the polls consistently showing Americans disfavor with government policies, Democrats switching parties and dropping out of races, and conservatives ahead in states all over the map--they thumbed their noses at us. Now, they want to make it sound like it is we who are making it difficult for them. Glenn Beck and others have been educating us with facts and teaching the aims of the progressive movement which thought its time had come to bring about their "fundamental remaking of America."  Glenn has had a dedicated phone line to the White House in his studio for months asking them to call and refute the facts of anything he discusses and presents with expert support. The phone still hasn't rung, and it won't because they can't refute any of it.

But the one thing they can do is smear, denigrate and try to convince people that we are the bad guys. The mainstream media does its best to support and perpetuate that folly, but they're losing the battle. The truth is a powerful thing and ultimately it can't be denied if people are brave enough to see it and stand up for it. Remember the story of The Emperor's New Clothes? That is exactly what is going on, except more and more people's eyes are open and they are seeing that the emperor doesn't have any clothes on. They're not only seeing it--they're no longer afraid to say it!

Here's is very small example. Clackamas County used $32,000 of "our" taxpayer money and 4 employees’ work to produce and send out a postcard supporting a Yes vote on 66 & 67. Two women in our group went to the Clackamas County Commissioners meeting and spoke up. And they are not giving up. They are now seeking legal support to bring a lawsuit for misappropriation of the people's money and violation of the laws preventing government employees from interfering in a legal election issue. It seems the powerful Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, Dave Hunt, who is our state rep was in on helping them get the information out. This little incident contains all the elements of what is going on all over on a grander scale, except now people are speaking up and holding our elected officials accountable and guess what--they don't like it! They try to do everything to intimidate and dissuade us, but there are too many of us now and we will not be silenced!

If all this makes us radicals, then we're proud to be called that because our Founding Fathers were radicals! They fought and put their lives and fortunes and sacred honor on the line to give us the freest nation ever known to man. As for the labels given to us, we need to wear most of them as badges. The media and others who refer to conservatives as “tea-baggers” are helping us to unite. Embrace this!  It means they are feeling our influence -- so that's a good sign we ARE beginning to make a difference.