Locating our dissipated energy

[David Folsom]

Many believe that we are finished. We no longer show the energy, enthusiasm, and boisterous crowds that propelled us into the spotlight, and our candidates into Congress, State and local offices just 2 years ago. What has happened, and do we still hold political power?

Our challenge has always been that of organizing a group of independent thinkers. It is much easier to organize cattle and sheep, which gives the other side a distinct advantage. We cooperated and organized in 2010 around a few central issues-stopping obamacare and controlling spending. Some believe we succeeded. Some believe we failed.  Both groups are now less engaged.

Another drain on our energy tank has been our abandonment-real or perceived- by the very people we have elected. On a national level, the vote to raise the debt limit knocked the wind from many of our sails. Allen West "driving the bus" and Miss Daisey Adams fully on board gave me a real sense of betrayal, and a kick-in-the-gut feeling that persists today. Locally we find ourselves as abandoned as a red-headed stepchild of Mike Krupp.

Another cause of our energy loss has been the proliferation of other groups that were spawned by the Tea Party itself. Though few have reached the militant status that the democrats wrongfully attach to our group, many are more inclined to consider other-than-political means to secure their personal and collective futures. On the other hand, many have quietly slipped back into their daily lives, questioning whether the effort required to replace the status-quo with new officials who quickly morph into the status-quo is justified.

I do believe that all groups will rejoin us on election day. With 49.6% of Americans now depending on government for a check, we are finished if they fail to show up.