About a year ago I got one of those e-mails, you know, the ones that make your hair stand up on the back of your neck. The patriotic music, the references to our founding fathers, escalating photo shots proving the just nature of the American Cause through the years, and all of the history lessons we are familiar with are a part of this communication. The main thrust of the video advertisement is simple. Today we face the same sinister designs against freedom as other generations. It challenges me to band together with other freedom loving, patriotic Americans to not only recognize the dangerous nature of our time, but to equivocate this cause with the American Revolution, WWII, the Cold War, and every other threat we have faced as a nation. I must admit, it worked, and I found myself very motivated to not only share this e-mail, but to find a local genesis of the Tea Party movement.

You should understand, I am the main demographic for this call to assemble. White, male, third generation military, conservative, religious, and politically active. Considering my demographic puts me in a rather large group might make one think there is some powerful momentum taking place. I would first contemplate, is this group of Anglo-Saxon males conditioned to being the political group on the offensive? Nope. For almost every major political battle over my lifetime (I am 40) we white guys have generally been the defendant. Civil Rights. Women’s Rights. Affirmative Action. Let me be clear, I point not to the justice or injustices of these actions, but to the historical fact that this is a demographic on the run, and not one used to trying to stand and fight. My generation has accepted this fact. Ward and June Cleaver, where have you gone??

So you see how appropriate the call to action is! All of the dreams shared between my Grandfather the immigrant and myself are under assault. I am now angry and I am not going to take it anymore!

I went to the first meeting expecting to really see something I had not seen before. Surely just the nature of our assembly, and the strength of our desire to act will lead to a wave of renewal that will be the stuff of history books years from now!

Not really.

That first meeting was loaded with passionate folks. There really was a wide swath of society. Teachers, farmers, bankers, men and women. Our meeting leader, intelligently told the group the mission was to educate, empower, then act. We watched a video from a media person who delivered a lesson on Constitutional principles. Pocket versions of the Constitution were passed out, along with piles of literature to educate attendees on the views of an overreaching Federal Government. Again, I found myself in general agreement with almost every value they discussed.

I attended several meetings, each one being a touch different, but always ending the same. I am angry, but still have no idea how these meetings will culminate in the extension of our political will. No one in the meeting disagrees with any principle or policy that is being bantered about. We are all in agreement, something must be done. No actions, other than to continue meetings, is assured.

Early on all of the leaders of the Tea Party movement have stated they owe no allegiance to any Party or Candidate. They are open to any and all that will base their service in the founding principles of the American Constitution. Sounds good on the surface. This is where the movement comes to a grinding halt.

Once placed on the high center of a self proclaimed political pedestal, how does the group intend to support a candidate that wants to run a positive campaign? If the candidate does not run purely on the negative aspects as seen by the Tea Party, will he or she not be seen as an activist by default? This brings us to the root of the problem. Lots of anger does not translate directly into action.

If the Tea Party movement does not set a track record of getting folks elected, they will evaporate. This is the plain simple truth. What else will satiate the folks that are attending the meetings? If the association is meant to be more than a low cost vent session where people can voice their grievances to those they agree with, there is no other answer. Bind together, and elect solid Constitutionalists. Sounds like a common sense plan of action. This takes money, durability, and passion, only one of which the Tea Party already has. Now they need to prove they can grow to a political maturity that is capable of flexing political muscle to effect.

I agree with my Tea Party friends on so many principles. I have to say, I have yet to see the structure or form that I can see turning into the political juggernaut some proclaim it will be. As my Grandfather told me as a child, “Any Jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a craftsman to build one. ” and let us add to that Sister Sally’s favorite, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions”

My friends in the Tea Party are well intended, but as much as I am prepared to fight the growth in government, I am not prepared to eliminate constitutional values from the course of normal political discussion by abusing them to no advantage now. We have the angst and anger. Someday we will learn how to turn them to actionable goals.