The tea party is not an organized political party, but it is a way of viewing today’s governmental and financial problems. The origin of this movement is in our American history. The first tea party was on Dec. 16, 1773, in Boston harbor.

All the colonies were rebelling against the British control over the pricing and taxing of goods. Tea was one of these goods. Samuel Adams and a group of protesters, dressed as Indians, boarded a British vessel and dumped boxes of tea into the harbor. Sixteen months later, the first shots of the American Revolution were heard around the world.

Today, we face governmental controls, taxes and regulations that make King George look like an amateur. Carefully read the “Declaration of Independence” and compare their list of grievances to the ones we have today. People who claim to be tea party members are not in any particular political party. They are concerned citizens, fearful of the future of our great country.

Unlike our early patriots, armed with tomahawks and muskets, today’s tea party is armed with the U.S. Constitution. They plan to revive the principles of our Founding Fathers at the ballot box. For those who choose not to get involved, read the following quote by Pericles (430 BC). “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

Rep. Rick LeVasseur

Hudson

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