Our next luncheon meeting is Friday, February 11.  Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal will be on hand to advise us about local law enforcement and budget issues. Doors open at 11:30 with lunch serving at noon.

     The meeting site is located at 336 Crown Point Circle (off Whispering Pines) in Grass Valley at the rear of the Nevada County Association of Realtors office.

     The meeting is open to everyone. A donation of $5 is requested to cover cost of the lunch.  Seating is limited, so come early and BRING A FRIEND.

Congressman McClintock
GV Town Hall Meeting

Friday, February 4, 6:00 PM

Hennessy Elementary School, Multi-purpose room

225 S.Auburn St.

Grass Valley

      One of the questions that comes up frequently is, "What is the difference between the various Tea Party organizations?"  Yes, there is a lot of confusion out there and I'll try to clarify it for you. 

     First and foremost, Tea Party Patriots is a non-profit, grassroots organization.  While many focus on the "non-profit" portion of that statement, and that is indeed important, the most important part is that TPP is "grassroots."  TPP is run like no other organization; from the bottom up.  The organization is actually led by local coordinators all across the country who are voluntarily affiliated with TPP through their local tea party organizations.  While most organizations in the political sphere are top-down and run by a few individuals or a board in Washington, DC., TPP is actually run by the local coordinators from over 3,000 local tea party organizations across the nation.

      Functionally, this means that we, at the local level, decide how the whole organization will respond to issues and ideas.   As an example, as the local coordinator, I am on the weekly national tele-conference call with the leadership and other local coordinators.  We are regularly asked to vote on issue and ideas which are brought forth.  A vote is taken electronically, and whatever the majority agrees on becomes the policy.  As you can see, this is truly a grassroots organization.  In fact, we are the only Tea Party organization that works in this manner. 

      Another thing setting TPP apart is that we are truly non-partisan and do not endorse or oppose candidates.  This keeps us from being co-opted by any political party or candidate.  Our members are free to decide who to support.  Our job is to provide them with the education and information so that they can make informed choices.  

TPP is the largest of the "tea party" organizations, with over 3,000 local chapters, spanning every state in the U.S.  It's pretty amazing when you consider that February 27, 2010 will only be the second anniversary of the movement.   No other organization comes even close, and no other is directed from the ground up, by the grassroots.  At a local, state and national level, this is truly your organization.

Let's discuss some of the other Tea Party Groups.

      The Tea Party Express is a Political Action Committee (PAC).  They are run by a for-profit organization owned by a Republican consulting firm, Russo, Marsh and Associates in Sacramento.  They have a thirty year history of being political guns for hire, electing many RINOs to office over the years.  For over a year and a half they supported a racist Chairman who referred to the President as an "Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug," the "racist in chief," "a half-white racist,"a half-black racist," etc.

Most recently, they sent out a fund raising email using the Arizona shooting tragedy to try to raise money for their organization.  They do not have a grassroots organization, and operate at the whim of a small group of professional political operatives.  They are in the political "business," unlike you and I who are in the business of saving the nation for our children and grandchildren.  We are not implying that there is anything legally wrong with the way they do business.  It's just not our way.

      Maybe you've heard of Tea Party Nation.  They tried to set themselves up as the umbrella organization for all Tea Party groups, and it didn't work.  They are a "for profit" corporation owned by a private individual in Tennessee who has very little to do with any tea party groups even within Tennessee.  They had one well-covered event that drew less than 1,000 people, but had Sarah Palin speaking.  To my knowledge, they haven't had another event, though the man who owns it holds himself out as speaking for the tea party.

      There is an organization that has tried to undermine all legitimate the Tea Party groups.  They call themselves The Patriots Majority, another PAC.  However, they are a very liberal organization.  They don't appear to have achieved much success. 

      Freedom Works is another top-down, DC based organization (including a PAC) that works with various Tea Party organizations around the country.  In the past, we've worked cooperatively with them to stage events, including the 9/12 March on DC.  They've done some great work, and existed before and apart from the tea party movement.  Dick Armey, former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives heads this organization.

      Michelle Bachman started the Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives.  Their membership has pledged their efforts to be fiscally responsible, work towards a smaller constitutional government, free markets with less regulation and respect for the Constitution and Bill of Rights and a government that answers to the people.  Many are skeptical of politicians who try to use the "tea party" label for their own benefit.  We need to watch them closely to make sure that they live up to their commitments, and that they never claim to lead, or speak for the tea party movement.  You lead, and speak for the movement.

 If you have any questions about this article, email me at nctppinfo@gmail.com .

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      In this newsletter you will find information for a Constitutional Studies Seminar being put on by the Yolo County Republicans, Saturday, Feb. 5, in Davis.  If you are interested in learning more about the Constitution, make it a point to attend.

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      Our last $5 luncheon was another sold out event.  Assemblyman Dan Logue was our guest speaker and he brought us up-to-date on the latest in Sacramento.  If you didn't make it, you missed a terrific talk and lunch.

      This month our luncheon will be held on Thursday February 11, 2011 and will feature Sheriff Keith Royal.  He always has an excellent presentation and there will be plenty of time for you to ask questions.  The doors open at 11:30 am and lunch is served at noon.

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      Please remember that we are a non-profit organization and that we can always use your financial support.  The easiest way to contribute is to go to our website nctpp.org and use our secure PayPay account.

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      I need to express my thanks to your Board of Directors who have made life much easier for Elaine and me.  They have all taken a load off our shoulders and are doing a great job. 

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please email us at ncttpinfo@gmail.com .