“It
had long since come to my attention that
people of accomplishment rarely sat back
and let things happen to them. They went
out and happened to things.” ~
Leonardo da Vinci
This quote turned up as a Facebook
friend’s post the other day. The
timing could not have been more perfect.
I love reading the quotes that people
share. Quotes can be inspirational and
motivational and educational. They can
back up our position on an issue. They
can prove us right – or wrong. They
can illustrate our state of mind, our
beliefs and our emotions. I love this
quote because it perfectly encapsulates
what the Tea Party movement has done for
the political culture of our country over
the last three years.
I got involved in the movement in early
2009 because I was exasperated by what
was happening in DC and by seeing how
intrusive government practices had
trickled down to the state and local
level. I was inspired by what I saw
others saying and doing about it. I
decided to make something happen!
Did I foresee in my future what I have
done since then? Absolutely not. Did any
of us think in mid-2008 we would be the
political activists we are now? Of course
not. Being that it is the beginning of a
new year the obvious question is what
happens next?
Aside from the elections coming up in
November, I don’t see how 2012 will
be much different from the previous three
years. Our job as political activists is
to continue to advocate for limited
government. This year, that will also
mean looking for and supporting
candidates that advocate for the same.
Then, of course, the challenge is to get
those candidates elected. Again, not much
different from previous years. We have to
make things happen.
The people that worked together to found
the Greater Boston Tea Party have many
beliefs in common but our strongest link
was and continues to be our status as
newcomers to the world of political
activism. While our enthusiasm was high,
none of us had ever been this politically
active before and we had no idea what we
were doing. We were determined to create
something unique and original. One of our
biggest concerns was designing an
organization that would last.
We wanted an organization that would
always stand up for Constitutional
principles and not get bogged down in the
politics of personality. We wanted to
avoid the difficulties political parties
face when a candidate deviates from
principles. We did not want to be tied to
candidates at all. We wanted to be a
source of information and education. We
wanted to teach people how to be
activists, how to be an asset to a
candidate or campaign and how to promote
Constitutional principles. I think we did
a pretty good job.
In the last two years, the Greater Boston
Tea Party has been a great source of
information, education and training to
those interested in the Tea Party
movement all across the commonwealth.
Because we have been deliberate and
consistent in our messaging, we have
become a go to organization for the
media. Elected officials approach us as a
gateway to reach out to activists across
the state. Candidates want the
opportunity to meet with us and answer
our questions. Because we have made
things happen, we are seen as a welcome
addition to the political culture in
Massachusetts. I am proud of what we have
done. I am looking forward to
accomplishing even more in the coming
year.
The Greater Boston Tea Party has elected
a new president, Christine Morabito. I am
happy to pass on the role of spokesperson
to her as well as I take a step away from
the day to day operations of the
organization. I know you will come to see
her as I do – as a thoughtful,
informed, passionate advocate for the Tea
Party movement. The GBTP knows there is a
lot of work to be done in 2012 as part of
our mission to educate, inform and
advocate. Christine has been at my side
for nearly three years and she
understands and embraces our mission. I
am already inspired by her readiness to
jump in and take lead. Under
Christine’s leadership, tea party
activists in Massachusetts will continue
to make things happen.
“It
had long since come to my attention that
people of accomplishment rarely sat back
and let things happen to them. They went
out and happened to things.” ~
Leonardo da Vinci
