Don't Tread On Me

I am PROUD to say I attended the Tea Party today at our state's capitol building, along with many others - estimates are low from the media, at around 3500 - I believe it was closer to 5000. But regardless, we made a statement, took a stand, and voiced our dissatisfaction with our government. Veterans, mothers, men, women, all ages were there. And to be honest, it was mostly white people. Read into that whatever you want, but hey, I'm reporting here. Sophia and I both felt the excitement from the others around us - and those we spoke to - elderly men, mothers with small children - all were sharing our excitement. We had to park many blocks away, and Sophia, not having the proper "protest" shoes, did well as we made our way quickly to the capitol. As we rounded the building, the cheers and flags waving made us step up our pace. We worked our way to the front, and although it was hard to hear what was being said, just being there was great. Signs everywhere professed many different attitudes, some anti-Obama, some against Nancy Pelosi, many just like ours (see photo) that just said enough is enough. As the lunch hour ended, some people left, but that gave us an advantage to move closer to the middle, and to be able to see AND hear the speakers. It was terrific just to be there - to take part in something that is American as apple pie. Freedom of Speech, you know!? As the allotted time for the gathering came to a close, I believe we all came away with a sense of accomplishment - far more than what I got on Nov. 4th of last year....

I am proud of my country. I am glad to be an American. I'm speaking out in the way our forefathers provided for in the Constitution. I'm not against the president. I'm against the government as a whole, their taking and spending our tax dollars in ways that are nonsense, unrealistic, and fraudulent. I'm speaking out against the theft of our own values as a country of people, with inalienable rights, with common beliefs that WE MUST BE REPRESENTED, with the right to peaceful assembly, to being part of something that may or may not make change - OUR change, happen. I am not a terrorist. I am a wife, mother, citizen, taxpayer, patriot, but you don't have to label me a radical because I speak out. I speak out to have my voice heard, and so that my daughter, one day, can know that when pushed, I pushed back.

When I picked up my daughter from school today, running late from attending the Denver Tea Party, I was proud to tell her teacher where I had been. Her response was, "Do you think it will make a difference?" Sadly, I know that things like these die quickly. It is hard to keep the momentum. But I do think that it will make a small difference, and from there, we take it another step, and make a difference in another way. Yes, it will make a difference. If we keep it going, the difference will soon be seen. I am willing to be one who makes the difference, not only for me, but for you if you don't want to speak out. I will speak for you. It starts with one.

More to come........