I think someone even offered to purchase 20 bus seats… so it MIGHT even be free

The problem with the TEA parties is that the movement may have become something that I feared from the beginning.

The politicians are enjoining/infiltrating the TEA party movement hierarchy, hence neutralizing them….. as per usual. The politicians are subverting the TEA party from within.

Attend the rallies, but challenge the premise that having politicians at them as speakers is necessarily a good thing.

I think it’s not good to have these politicians at the rallies as guests and attendees. They try and ensure that it becomes a group-grope/handjob for their benefit and reduce it to a campaign rally for themselves.

Here is an e-mail exchange with the KC offices from my brother:

As was written to them by my brother-

On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 12:59 PM; wrote:

Gentlemen,
I think you should consider dis-associating yourselves with both the Democrat and Republican parties.

I see on your web site and also during my visit to a few rallies that you listen to Party speakers when you should be forming your own TEA(that’s enough already)Party with third party candidates.

If all you do is support members of the existing parties, we are simply infiltrated by those who got us where we are today. These people jump back and forth between both parties and will do the same with the Tea party simply because they no convictions whatsoever to begin with other than political personal power.

I spoke on the soap box at a rally in Olathe and challenged the crowd and attending politicians “No more Dems or Republicans” and the response was amazing, as was also the response from a Democratic Congressman who tried to start a physical brawl in order to challenge my right to speak out.

Have we not heard enough BS from these people already? Time for a new party altogether or do away with parties altogether. Politicians need to be chosen who are good servants of the people, they lead by example but do not GOVERN. **gene**

Here is the response:

Hello Gene,

We respect what you have to say. We are conservatives.

We will support those candidates that hold our ideals and demonstrate that by their voting record. That has nothing to do with the letter that follows their name.

This movement began with the passage of the stimulus package, but its roots go back to the passage of the TARP and the massive increases in spending over the last few years.

As for supporting specific candidates or even a third party, we are unwilling to do any of that. We wish to bring to light the issues.

We will attend the picnic that Olathe Republican Party is putting on Saturday in order to reach more people who may hold the same views as our group holds. It is about spreading the word, not endorsing the party.

If the Democratic party wishes to invite us to put a booth up at an event, we will do that also in order to spread the word and gain support for our movement. The same goes for the Libertarian, Green, Reform, and Constitution Parties.

The two party system is faulty and frustrating. Third parties do have a following among those dissenting from the two parties system.

The main problem in the past with third party candidates is that the support of that candidate usually effects the elections in a negative way and does not accomplish the goal that the third party set out to achieve.

We have to work within the system that is already present while trying to change said system. We hope to be a voice for all, no matter what party. As far as we are concerned, liberty isn’t a party issue.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Amanda, Bob, and Leslie

Kansas City Tea Party

Take it for what it’s worth…..

We need a movement, but must also be careful not throw in with a potentially politician-tainted organization……….

One usurper is enough……

I heard that as a possibility too, but Scott would know for sure.

It’s definitely a good deal even at $25. You can’t pay for the gas there and back for that.

any guesstimates on attendance??

I think 1,000 would be a grand slam.

600 – 700 is a home run.

300 is ok.