A Plea To Conservatives: Stay Involved, Press Onward!

A special message from Don Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association:

Dear Members and Friends, We trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Before this Thanksgiving season blends seamlessly into the Christmas season, we would like to take time to reflect on just how fortunate we are to be have been born inAmerica. With God's blessing, our great Republic has survived and prospered over the last 237 years despite the many grave challenges, both internal and external, that have threatened its existence. At the present time, however, America is in great danger of losing the very essence of its soul. Free enterprise and meritocracy, the financial and motivational engine of our nation--that which has created unprecedented financial security and wealth for untold millions--nay billions--and has distinguished our government from almost every other government in the history of man--is being undermined by an administration at war with our national heritage. The worst response we could render this dire threat is to give in, give up, or align ourselves with extremist elements that would suggest the American nation is beyond redemption and repair. We must say no to those who would promote state succession from the United Statesas the answer. We must resist those who would suggest the establishment of a thirdparty or a declaration of war on the Republican party. These tactics are divisive, dangerous, and suspicious. Anyone who leads such efforts is either a paid tool of the left (a plant) or an unwitting ally. A major third party effort and/or a war on Republican the Party would result inconsecutive Democrat electoral victories and permanent one party rule--much like the political situation in Philadelphia for the last 60 years. (If we were to declare war on any political party, would it not be the Democrat party--the party that recently sought to remove all references to the Creator in its platform and is currently transforming our nation from a self-reliant free enterprise system into a welfare-dependent regulatory state?) To be clear, the most potent weapon we have to defeat the collectivist bureaucrats, elected officials, judges, and demagogues in our midst is the apparatus of the Republican party--a party established by Lincoln to save the Union; defined by  Coolidge to promote limited government and lower taxes; and reinvigorated by Reagan to restore the American spirit, rebuild the US economy, and win the Cold War. To be sure, the Republican party, like every other institution in America--desperately needs reform. To bring about such reform, we must get involved as committeemen/women, party officials, and elected officials. Instead of declaring war on Republicans, we must patiently, and with integrity, engage the party faithful in reasonable discourse in an attempt to persuade and influence opinion. Of course, America, as a whole, is also desperately in need of reform (a painfully obvious fact). The first and most important element of that reform does not require legislation or regulation. It requires the American people, along with elected officials, to honestly assess the state of our nation from the inside out--beginning with the conditions of our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, and our churches. Once a truthful assessment is made, we must isolate the problems that can be solved outside the purview of the government. Suffice it to say, many of our nations ills do not require a government--let alone a federal government--prescription. President Coolidge once said, "The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve from toil. It can provide no substitute for the rewards of service..." While the difficulties currently confronting us may seem insurmountable--during the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War I, World War II, the upheaval of the 1960's and Vietnam War--our forefathers/mothers endured even greater hardships. Since 2001, the our nation has successfully overcome an ongoing terrorist threat. None of this could have been accomplished without the real American heroes and patriots--our US troops. Of our soldiers, Coolidge said, "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." So during this holiday season, we not only commit ourselves to renewing America, we will also remember our troops. Beginning tomorrow, we will commence a money drop to bundle donations for two local military related charities: The Homeless Veterans Project and Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House.              On behalf of the PAC Board of Delegates, Don Adams, President