The Tea Party movement in our area is the real deal. I have realized that the unity of their passion is what makes this movement real. Smaller government, less taxes, and keeping the freedoms we enjoy today are their focus. Who doesn’t want that?  Hmm. The government, that’s who. Think about it, government is a system with no incentive for improvement. When there is not enough money to pay the bills, it borrows it and/or raises taxes to get it! Let’s compare. At some point in many of our lives we used an eight-track player as our preferred music listening device and rotary phones were the norm. Imagine if Apple had never improved upon that. Would you like to run around with and an eight-track player on your head? Why does Apple continue to improve? It’s simple – incentive!  The incentive is to create what people want and, in turn, generate revenue from the value they receive. Can you imagine no iPod or cell phone today? Apple would be doomed as a company. 

Government does not have that problem of being doomed. The system or way of doing business is 150 years old. No company in the world could do business the same way for 150 years and expect to keep its doors open. So how can government? The truth of the matter is, there is little desire inside the system to change it. Why? Because the revenue will come, regardless if the system changes. Keep on taxing and the revenue keeps on coming in. Out of money? No problem! Borrow it or raise taxes! The answer never seems to be to take a time out and improve the system or, heaven forbid, create a new system.  Look how fast Apple and IBM change how they do business. Every few months, they roll out the latest and greatest new advances. Here is the challenge; there are some really good people who work in government. I have met and worked with some great employees who really care, work hard, and have their heart in the right place. The problem is that they are not rewarded for their hard work. In addition, the system prevents them from making the necessary improvements I know they would like to make.  They don’t have that problem at Apple and Google. Employees are rewarded for improving the system.

So the answer is simple. People must continue to convene like they are at Tea Parties and other venues, and they must continue to have their voices heard at the polls. Once this movement has elected enough people with the political courage to improve the antiquated government system, things will really change. Then the people will start keeping more of their hard-earned dollars. 

Yes, it will take some time; protecting the kingdom is an art in government. But, I believe, after witnessing the Tea Party movement and listening to the talk at the water cooler, Americans have had enough of the excessive spending. During these difficult economic times, our families have been forced to do more with less. Frankly, the same standard must now apply to government. It’s time to make the tough choices. It’s time the government of the people, by the people, for the people LISTENS TO THE PEOPLE. To Kenlan Watson, Deb Hearn, and all the every day Americans fighting to have your voices heard, keep up the great work! You can reach me at pwyman8@aol.com.