Title: Chicago Independence Day Tea Party
Location: Gateway Park at Navy Pier
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us at Gateway Park (just outside of Navy Pier) for the Chicago Independence Day Tea Party!
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2009-07-04
End Time: 16:00
Hello, my name is Peter Lewis. I was the Illinois State Coordinator for the Ralph Nader for President 2008 campaign. I’m writing you today to invite you to the July 4th Chicago ReTea Party, sponsored by Free & Equal. Free & Equal is a non-partisan election reform and activist organization dedicated to improving ballot-access laws and uniting third parties in common causes.
The Chicago ReTea Party is one of many national ReTea Parties, all of which aim to harness the powerful voices of a universally-outraged population. The movement rests on four key principles, which supporters demand that elected representatives adhere to:
It is my belief that the emerging purpose of demonstrations like these ReTea Parties is the unification of the Left and the Right on issues of the highest importance. I expect to see many movements in the near future which will be built on principles which can appeal to the vast majority of Americans, whatever their political leanings. These principles may be based on such things as: ballot-counting transparency, media reform, opening up the debates, adopting proportional representation, and ending ballot-access obstruction.
The great power of these new movements is their capacity for unification – the kind of unification that has been condemned as fraudulent or determinedly-ignored by the corporate duopoly, extreme-Left and -Right groups, and strictly partisan media. It’s no coincidence that the loudest voices on television, radio, and print, are those which discommend meaningful bipartisan efforts (especially those which seek to increase the power of our democracy).
Perhaps it is a sign of the magnitude of the challenge we face, that so many different people – separated by such wide ideological rifts – now find themselves ready to unite toward such important ends. Our country was founded in order to protect certain inalienable rights – namely, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Although liberals and conservatives have long disagreed about how best to guarantee these rights, it is becoming clear to more and more Americans that neither our liberal representatives, the Democrats, nor our conservative representatives, the Republicans, give these rights the priority and respect that they deserve.
I sincerely hope you’ll join us on July 4th, as we unite with thousands of our fellow citizens to redeclare our independence, reclaim our government, and renew our voices. As Ralph Nader liked to say, “Patriotism is more than just hanging a flag on your porch.” Like the original Boston Tea Party protestors, no longer will we quietly bear the burdens and taxations of a government in which we have no legitimate representation!
Flyers for the Chicago Independence Day Tea Party have been uploaded to the site in .pdf format. Please follow the hyperlinks below to view them.
ReTeaParty Chicago Flyer_Color
There is one in color and one in black & white. The flyers are designed to be printed (double-sided) and then cut in half, resulting in a half sheet with the design on the front and principles on the back. Feel free to print these off, post them on your facebook page, or whatever you do best to spread the word.
Thanks,
Josh Hanson
630-200-9527
Title: Chicago Independence Day Tea Party Meetup - June 17th, 2009
Location: Oak Park Main Library, 834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301
Description: The second meetup of Retea Party organizers, volunteers, supporters. This is an open meeting; anyone interested is welcome to attend!
June 17, 2009 7:00 PM
Oak Park Main Library
834 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301
708-383-8200
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-06-17
End Time: 20:30
As Sean Haugh pointed out in his excellent mission-statement (located here: http://www.reteaparty.com/2009/06/01/obliterating-the-false-distinction-between-left-and-right/), many of us are coming to realize that the bigger difference isn’t between the Left and the Right but between the Robbed and the Robbers, between the Ruling Class and the Working Class. Consequently, there are many equally- if not more-important goals which we, the majority, can agree on.
I’m one of the people who believes that the emerging purpose of movements like these Retea Parties is the recognition of and united defense against the untimely division of the Left and Right. Of course, the prospect of partisan unification is irrelevant if, of all the major issues at hand, partisan issues take the highest priority in people’s minds. But I don’t think that they ought to; in fact, I don’t believe that they do. Here’s why: we all agree that every person should have Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (LLPH) and that the best vehicle toward those ends is democracy.
Well, American democracy and LLPH are dying. Our means and our end are shriveling up around us. The Left and the Right have been so busy battling over comparably-minor disputes that we’ve become oblivious to the biggest threat: the democracy-destroying, LLPH-ignoring oligarchy of the super-rich. That’s why it’s time to unite: first to reclaim democracy, second to hammer out the differences between Left and Right (in a notably more peaceful and fair way than is currently encouraged by corporate media).
Here are some of the democracy-restoring goals we might unite toward:
Instant Runoff Voting
Reforming the Media
Opening up the Debates
Adopting a National Initiative
Ending Ballot-access Obstruction
But what if you’re a person who believes that these issues just aren’t as important as partisan issues, like gun-control, abortion, and tax-reform? For all this talk of unification, I’ll be one of the first to draw a dividing line: you don’t belong here, part of this movement, if you believe that the political process isn’t broken or that these problems can be fixed by movements from solely the Left or Right (or whatever angle you’re pulling from).
And if you’re a person who straight-up doesn’t want to work with the other side, I’d say you haven’t been in the field long enough. I have met highly-intelligent, highly-moral, highly-respectable progressives, libertarians, democrats, and republicans alike. Each of these groups has thoughtful strategies and provocative questions. In the grand span of human history, is America really an ancient and wise culture? No – we’re young and we’ve tried and tested very little, despite the great tragedies and losses of human lives we’ve been through. In my opinion, it’s just too early to absolutely condemn the Left or the Right.
It’s true that there are fundamental differences between the Left and the Right and, because of these differences, we will probably never achieve a totally peaceful union. But here’s what we all keep forgetting: we’ve already agreed to disagree; no one really believes that the Left or Right are going to change each other’s minds, at least anytime soon. We argue with friends at school, family at home, or strangers on the internet but, ultimately, most of us keep getting forced back into the political game: I can’t convince you so I’m going to do everything in my power to beat you.
Isn’t it true? Isn’t that why the Left feared the hardlining Bush administration and the Right fears the Obama congressional majority? Because, in these situations, it seems, there’s no more stalemate – one side, we’re told, is actively winning (against the other half of the population, presumably).
As it turns out, it’s not the Left or the Right that’s winning but the Top.
So it’s time to unite – first to reclaim our voices and then to work out our differences in a more rational and peaceful manner. Because right now, we’re all losing.
Peter Lewis
BREAKING NEWS
We have important announcements.
1. LOCATION
Navy Pier, Gateway Park
Our application for a permit has been approved.
The event will be from noon to 4 PM
2. UNITING PRINCIPLES
The Uniting Principles for the July 4th Tea Party:
Bailouts, Taxes, and Spending Responsibility: Free markets should not consist of taxpayer bailouts of corporations and corporate subsidies. Corporations should be aggressively prosecuted for their crimes and frauds. We seek a thorough investigation, evaluation and audit of the Federal Reserve System and its cozy relationships with the banking, corporate, and other financial institutions. The arbitrary power to create money and credit out of thin air behind closed doors for the benefit of commercial interests must be ended.
Respect the Integrity of the Constitution: The Constitution exists to limit the government’s ability to violate the rule of law. We reject the illegal use of signing statements by which the president modifies the meaning of laws passed by Congress, and excessive use of executive orders.
Reducing the National Debt: The burden of debt placed on the next generation is unjust and already threatening our economy and the value of our dollar. We must pay our bills as we go along and not unfairly place this burden on a future generation.
Individual Freedom: We must protect the privacy and civil liberties of all persons under US jurisdiction. We must repeal or radically change the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the FISA legislation. We must reject the notion and practice of torture, eliminations of habeas corpus, secret tribunals, and secret prisons. We must deny immunity for corporations that spy willingly on the people for the benefit of the government. We must reject the unitary presidency, the illegal use of signing statements and excessive use of executive orders.
Agenda for June 2nd organizing meeting in Oak Park.
Go over the 4 Uniting Principles and invite discussion.
Signs, agree to a core of slogans that support the 4 Principles
Christina – Speakers
Discuss the need for a petition that signs people up for the 4 Principles
Contacting local celebrities
At the Rally
· Be cheerful and energetic. Engage the media and reporters- answer questions, give interviews, and let them take pictures. Emphasize the need to be orderly and not to interrupt Navy Pier visitors or we will be asked to leave.
· Need a petition sheet for signatures. Need volunteers to handle the petition sheets. The sheets will state that they are signing up to the 4 Uniting Principles. It will also serve as our future mailing list.
· If we are successful in getting a large number of signers for our petition, it will be a leverage point for getting media attention and the attention of politicians. Let’s figure out how NOT to be ignored.
It’s about Principles, NOT Party!
The Chicago Tea Party Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 2nd from 7-9pm at the Oak Park Library - Maze Branch which is located at 845 Gunderson Ave Oak Park, IL.
To sign up for the June 2 planning meeting go to:
http://www.meetup.com/The-Chicago-Tea-Party/
Christina Tobin
Title: Chicago Tea Party June Meetup
Location: Oak Park Library - Maze Branch
Link out: Click here
Description: The July 4th Re-Tea Party will be a truly Non-Partisan, independent event. We are encouraging all Americans, regardless of political or ideological identity, to come together and re-declare our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A Tea Party is the demonstrated collection of our concerns over the increase in government intervention in our lives, our freedoms, and our pocket books. Our goal is to coordinate a truly non-partisan nationwide Tea Party event on July 4th in to one easy to navigate and user friendly place on the web.
We are not all Republicans, we are not all part of the 912 project, we are not all Libertarians. Some of us are Democrats, many of us work with TaxDayTeaParty.com, others with TaxDayCoalition.com, and America Again!, TeaPartyRevolution.com or a host of other well intentioned movements, political parties, and/or organizations. However, we are all here as individuals concerned with the direction of our country and distraught over the destruction of our Constitution.
We have our own ideas, political tendencies, and personal desires, and we must respect them among one another. In order to take on the trend toward tyranny, we must organize ourselves across many groups to inform, encourage and cooperate with one another, setting aside our relatively minute disagreements. If you are an organizer or would like to be, let us know if you are ready to take an active stand.
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” - Thomas Jefferson
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-06-02
WHY TEAPARTY? It’s a matter of right and wrong.
It’s way beyond parties and politically correct outcomes.
Hi, my name is John Powser. I am the Independent representative to this grass roots effort. I am concerned for individual freedom, free markets, and the constitution.
If I am fortunate enough for anyone to read this, I would appreciate both brutal and friendly feedback. Before I go into detail pursuing this vector, I need to know if anyone else gives a hoot.
I would like to deal with a subject that is so large that is both exciting and intimidating.
I want to explore the currently dominant philosophy of moral relativism and why it leads to immoral and irrational government action. (It depends on what the definition of is is.) http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-relativism/
The opposite of moral relativism is moral objectivism. Objectivism holds that there is an objective, tangible reality that exists independent of our feelings and perceptions. Our reasoning mind is the means of understanding and dealing with reality. If a society is to grow and prosper, there must be objective codes of conduct to assure predictable and effective interaction.
The founding fathers based the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on this. They understood, on an unprecedented level, that freedom of individual action would create a hyper dynamic of growth and prosperity.
Life - Liberty – Pursuit of Happiness, these should protected by government, not constrained by government. Government’s role is to protect the codes of behavior and the laws of interaction that allow individuals to strive and succeed without violating the rights of their fellow citizens.
This seems so obvious to us. How could we have strayed so far from the intent of the Founders? My premise is that moral relativism is at the root of this evil. If all codes are relative, then any code is valid – it depends! Progressives see the Constitution as an inconvenient constraint that gets in the way of their preferred outcomes.
If enough of you are interested, we can explore why a lack of moral objectivism leads to the irrational and immoral government that we have today.
We can explore and explain irrational actions such as:
Spending on government at levels that will certainly bankrupt the country,
Taking the output of producers and giving it to moochers,
Devolving our sovereignty through open borders,
Having given up control of huge portions of our markets and our liberties to government,
Etc, Etc.
It’s not a matter of Party, It’s a matter of Principle.
Let me know what you think.
John Powser
4-30-09
In this age-old saying, the people in charge of congress are the inmates running the asylum. They do not care about the opinions of “We the People” and continue to run our county based on their own self-serving political agendas. And that’s where the tea parties come in.
The main media bias has been misreporting the tea party movement by stating that we are unorganized with too many messages. It has been said that the tea parties are about protesting high taxes, wasteful spending, over regulation, etc. Essentially, it’s all of the above, and then some. What the tea party movement is about is reasserting the voices of the American people.
Our founding fathers fought too hard to rid us of a totalitarian state for us to just sit back and do nothing.
Description: This Meetup will serve as a kickoff for organizing for the July 4th Tea Party in Chicago.
Christina Tobin is the Organizer for this event and can be reached via the Chicago Meetup Group.
The July 4th Re-Tea Party will be a truly Non-Partisan, independent event. We are encouraging all Americans, regardless of political or ideological identity, to come together and re-declare our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Meetup will be held at Oak Park Library - Maze Branch at 845 Gunderson Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304, on Tuesday, May 12th, starting promt at 7pm.
A Tea Party is the demonstrated collection of our concerns over the increase in government intervention in our lives, our freedoms, and our pocket books. Our goal is to coordinate a truly non-partisan nationwide Tea Party event on July 4th in to one easy to navigate and user friendly place on the web.
We are not all Republicans, we are not all part of the 912 project, we are not all Libertarians. Some of us are Democrats, many of us work with TaxDayTeaParty.com, others with TaxDayCoalition.com, and America Again!, TeaPartyRevolution.com or a host of other well intentioned movements, political parties, and/or organizations. However, we are all here as individuals concerned with the direction of our country and distraught over the destruction of our Constitution.
We have our own ideas, political tendencies, and personal desires, and we must respect them among one another. In order to take on the trend toward tyranny, we must organize ourselves across many groups to inform, encourage and cooperate with one another, setting aside our relatively minute disagreements. If you are an organizer or would like to be, let us know if you are ready to take an active stand.
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” - Thomas Jefferson
Title: May 12th Meetup
Location: Oak Park Library - Maze Branch
Link out: Click here
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Date: May 12, 2009
End Time: 9:00 pm
