Virginia Tea Party Federation: Fail
on December 29th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
- The VTPP Leadership Getting Instructions From Their GOP Masters
“The Virginia Tea Party Federation does not take a position on gun issues, including lobbying as an organization.”
This quote is from an email from Carol Stopps, who is a leader of this alliance of state tea party groups (VTPF) that we are not part of…
Now before I rant about this email, let me compliment Carol for at least encouraging people to get involved with the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) as they are an EXCELLENT group; one who is co-sponsoring our lobby day bus on 1-21-13. These guys have an excellent grasp of the states role in gun control and if you aren’t a member of the VCDL you should join them today.
That being said, I have three major problems with this statement from the VTPF leadership.
- Since when did the 2nd Amendment not become part of the tea party charter? Last I looked, tea party groups were generally in agreement to focus on fiscal responsibility and the constitution. The last time I looked, the 2nd Amendment is still a direct part of the U.S. Constitution. Are they trying to distance themselves from the gun issue? It certainly seems that way. Will they distance themselves from other parts of the constitution if they come under fire? I look at this position and one work keeps coming to mind: spineless.
- They once supported the Fire Arms Freedom Act, which was an attempt to build and house guns in Virginia, which would eliminate the role of the Federal government in regulation since the guns wouldn’t cross a state line. What has changed since then? Other than a growing sense that the state tea party federation is a joke. Did you not think we would remember that? Conveniently forgetting the recent past. Now that is something that politicians of both parties do on a daily basis. Welcome to the big time VTPF Leadership, if there was any doubt you have jumped the shark…this erases it.
- They have given a de facto endorsement and support of the 2nd Amendment by encouraging people to join VCDL. In trying to find a way not to be tied to guns, while looking like they are still “down with the struggle” they endorsed joining a group that is the most aggressive and effective pro-gun group in the state. You support VCDL but won’t directly support the 2nd Amendment? What genius thought that would distance you from anti-gun backlash. I have news for Carol and the rest of the VTPP leadership; no matter what you do, you are going to be demonized. So embrace the 2nd Amendment and stop leading from behind.
Tea Party Supporters. If you are in a group that belongs to the VTPF, why is your group still in it? Don’t expect any kind of positive response to any complaints about this dunderheaded decision. As the Roanoke Tea party has found out, any feedback to this silly organization’s leadership is fruitless and will be ignored or, in our case get your expelled from the group.
So do what the Roanoke Tea Party has done since or 2010 expulsion. Be a grassroots organization dedicated to princples and real change instead of a tool for the VTPF and whatever Republicans in Richmond are looking to push.
If you are just going to work for the Republicans, skip the middle man that is the VTPF Leadership and just be a Republican. If you want to fight the corruption on both sides of the aisle, get your tea party out of the federation and lets get back to what started this whole thing in 2009.
Caring about the Constitution and principles.
Chip Tarbutton
Thank you for posting this. I agree that if changes are to be made, we must be bold and fight the urge to appear moderate on Constitutional matters.
Just to clarify, is the VTPF the same as the VTPPF? Someone in Greene County has started a VTPF group here and I was naturally concerned when I read your article.
I use terms interchangeably. I am not certain how they classiffy it now. Most of the local groups in the federation do good work. They have no idea about the bigger picture and trust the federation to help make their local concerns at the state level. It’s been my experience that the leadership is easily lead off the path by whatever politician in Richmond grabs their ear. So don’t necessarily impugn the character of these folks. They may hace no idea what they are getting themselves into.