An Open Letter to Tea Party Patriots:
Years ago, I joined the Tea Party in New York, because I sincerely believed in its simple, yet extremely powerful and direct message. The Party stood for low taxes, limited constitutional government, individual liberty, and rule of law — and nothing else. The Tea Party was not meant to be a political “Party” with positions on everything. It would only be involved in efforts that protected their core beliefs so as not to dilute their message.
Therefore, it is extremely disappointing that the Tea Party has lost its mind over issues that go against their core principles. For instance, what is this nonsense espousing substantial anti-immigration rhetoric? A large reason for such a high number of “illegal” immigrants is because the government has created arbitrary, low quotas which limit the amount of foreign-born workers allowed. How can someone espousing limited government, individual liberty, and rule of law be FOR crony capital government-imposed restrictions on businesses hiring who they want?
The current Tea Party was galvanized by the original (Boston) Tea Party and share the same disdain over high and unjust taxation. But the original “tea partiers” would be turning over in their graves by being associated with the current Tea Party’s anti immigration stance! Here we have people who work and are motivated enough to uproot and better themselves by living in another country. That is the best kind of ethic we need to continue to nourish and aspire to America, the way we always have.
For the Tea Party to be close-minded and protectionist on the issue of immigration flies in the face of the original Tea Partiers who inspired them. The Tea Party would do well to return to focusing on its core ideals if it wants to be any bit effective in the public square