Official Home of the Albuquerque Tea Party

Bartlett Pair

7/20/2016

A pair, two things that are similar, such as twins (which I know a lot about). But also, two things which are different but together form an essential combination – yin and yang, positive and negative, progressive and conservative. For the next few months, let’s look at some pairs, essential for the successful life of our country.

There are many of you out there, like me, that are disgusted with the federal primaries – on both sides. Petty personal attacks, lies, and no discussion about the REAL issues facing this country. A natural reaction is to just give up on the whole thing, since our vote doesn’t really count anyway, and go back to living our normal, everyday lives, adding value to our families, our work, and our communities.

On the other hand (the other half of the pair), while all the campaigning for president is going on, we have local races in our communities and our state that are also very important. Our local and state politicians make decisions that directly affect our lives and our pocketbooks. The Albuquerque School elections being a case in point. The history of those elections shows bond issues worth millions and APS board members win or lose by just a handful of votes. In local races, your vote counts – a lot!

Even if you are turned off by the presidential fiasco, stay informed about local races. There are lots of sources of good information, such as Rio Grande Foundation, New Mexico Business Coalition, and of course, the Albuquerque Tea Party plus other sources. Stay informed, and Vote Local!

By the way, your vote does count at the presidential race, too and is very important. Chin up – silly season will be over soon.

Graham Bartlett
President ATP Board

Celebrating the Constitution!

6/6/2016

During a unique time in history, a number of very brilliant men and women came together to arouse residents of 13 British colonies to fight for their independence. Victory was the result of their courageous battle -- and more: a new form of government was envisioned and a constitution written to give it shape and substance.

Today, power-lusters erode the principles contained in that constitution and little men cry that it is "out of date and flawed" as they seek to expand their power over others to order to control lives and pocketbooks.

“If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” – The Federalists, essays by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison.

The Federalists’ reference to “control of the governed” was in the context of recognizing the sovereign autonomy of the individual, which means the protection of individual rights wherein the violator is properly fined and/or punished. It was not in the context of centralized government imposing restrictions, regulations, guidelines, rules and heavy bureaucracy or any portion thereof.

Writings of the Founding Fathers show a high caliber of mind and philosophy that rejected millennia of centralized government and founded a new principle of government -- individualism -- which recognized that the fundamental source of prosperity and happiness is man’s mind. It is a philosophy based on the facts of reality -- not whim -- and that to survive, individuals must be free to create the values they require and each, therefore, should keep the money each earns.

Today, our individual rights, our freedom, our Constitution is under attack. Collectivism in the form of the welfare state is rampant. In today’s rush to return to centralized government, the actions of the vast majority of politicians and political leaders show no interest in or concern about the validity and virtue of our Constitution.

We need to recall our Constitution, the basis of a government that some countries copy, many nations admire and for which millions of people yearn, desperate for freedom, longing to create their own opportunities and be happy.

Over several decades, American citizens – not the government – worked to established September 17 as Constitution Day, the date the Constitution was signed. It is for most of us a day of remembrance and appreciation and gratitude. And for many Americans a celebration that inspires and re-ignites that original fervor, which drove the framers to an historic and unparalleled cultural achievement.

On that day, in this year, constitutional expert Shane Krauser will be the keynote speaker at the Albuquerque Tea Party’s annual Constitution Day Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser at the Marriott Uptown hotel in Albuquerque.

A popular speaker throughout our nation, director of American Academy for Constitutional Education, adjunct professor of constitutional law and experienced trial attorney, Mr. Krauser has lectured extensively on the principles of freedom and the Constitution. He has been called “the best instructor of the Constitution in the country.” He is passionate, outspoken and devoted to one of the most important documents ever penned by man, the Constitution of the United States of America.

The public is invited to join the Albuquerque Tea Party’s celebration of that great document, which from 6:30 to 9:30 will offer a lively gathering of songs, auctions, displays and fine cuisine. Doors open at 5:30 P.M.

Because a large crowd is expected, the ATP needs to start immediately a head count; so, you are being asked to RSVP now for individual tickets and/or for tables of 8 but delay your payment until September 12 -- or earlier as you prefer. To RSVP contact Marge Tapia, 505-296-0220.

For attendee’s convenience, Marriott is offering discounted prices on its rooms. Marge has info on that, also.

Thoughts on Memorial Day

5/30/2016

Good times and Memorial Day often go together. Children laughing as they run around picnic tables, fathers manning the grill and moms stealing a chance to catch up with old friends.

But in that happy cacophony, for those whose loved one came home on an Angel Flight, or not at all, there is a reverence in the revelry. A quiet ache. A love. An honoring.

Those remembered fallen had in their hearts that same indomitable spirit found in Martin Treptow, a young private killed in action during the First World War. Years later, President Reagan recounted the words found on his body. ''America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.''

Today, we honor that spirit and purpose to express it in our own lives. As Abraham Lincoln stated, "It is for us the living... to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought... have thus far so nobly advanced."

We here today, bow our heads in reverence and honor for those who have given their full measure for those principles of Liberty that have made America that City on a Hill, that beacon of freedom to those oppressed throughout the world.

As we now battle here at home to restore those principles, let us be filled with courage and joyfully fight for freedom, buoyed by the love for America so dearly expressed by our fallen.

May Monthly Meeting Tuesday

5/16/2016

JOIN US TUESDAY!
Tuesday, May 17, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

UNM Continuing Ed Building
Room C 1634 University Blvd
(Near the NE corner of University & Indian School)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KELLY ZUNIE

Cabinet Secretary of Indian Affairs
Kelly Zunie is the first Pueblo female to head this agency. She has extensive experience in critical issues facing New Mexico's Native American population, including public health, energy, and emergency management.

TOPIC
An engaging presentation about the support and unique relationship
the Native Indian Tribes have with the New Mexico state government
Come enjoy an informative evening + lively discussion.

Refreshments - Free Raffle - Your Chance to "Sound Off"

(505) 999-0904 ~ www.abqteaparty.com ~ Follow us on Facebook

Recruitment & Activation Meeting Tonight

4/5/2016

Our next recruitment and activation (R&A) meeting is tonight, Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 7:00-8:30pm, at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel NE, Albuquerque, 87113.

Last week we had great success initiating our voter registration drive. Please join us again tonight and help plan many upcoming events this exciting election year. Help us organize our "Vote Local" initiative. As always, let's work together to steer political power back to our local communities and away from Washington. Remember, we all have two jobs. Our "day" job, and our civic job. There is nobody but you to help carry the load! Participate! Join the Tea Party!

ATP March Meeting: Chairman Ruvolo, Guest Speaker

3/8/2016

ALBUQUERQUE TEA PARTY
March General Meeting
Tuesday, March 15, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
UNM Continuing Ed Building, Room C
1634 University Blvd, Near the NE corner
of University & Indian School
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chairman FRANK RUVOLO
Republican Party of Bernalillo County
SPEAKING ON
REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS:
Clearing up the Confusion
When, Where, & Why
Explaining the purpose of each one

Refreshments - Free Rafﬂe - Your Chance to “Sound Off
(505) 999-0904 | www.abqteaparty.com

Editorial Board: IRS Abuse-of-Power Aimed at ABQ Tea Party

3/7/2016

ABQ Journal Editorial Board knocks IRS for its treatment of the Albuquerque Tea Party. Read & Share
Posted by Albuquerque Tea Party on Monday, March 7, 2016

ABQ Journal Covers IRS Attack on Albuquerque Tea Party

3/7/2016

Rick Nathanson of the ABQ Journal goes in-depth to give you the latest regarding the IRS's years-long attack on the ABQ Tea Party. Read & Share
Posted by Albuquerque Tea Party on Monday, March 7, 2016

NewsBusted: Super Tuesday Edition

3/2/2016

ISIS saves A-10 from scrapheap

2/27/2016

(CNN) Defense Secretary Ash Carter has made it official: ISIS has saved one of its deadliest enemies, the U.S. Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt.

The inelegant but well-armed and well-armored ground-attack jet, nicknamed the "Warthog," was facing quick retirement after the Air Force said it needed the money and crews being used to keep the A-10s flying for the brand-new F-35s and other missions.

Then came Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition's campaign against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

"I saw some of the A-10s that are flying bombing missions against ISIL (the Pentagon's term for ISIS) when I was at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey last December, and we need the additional payload capacity they can bring to the fight," Carter said in testimony on the Pentagon's Fiscal Year 2017 budget before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Thursday. [MORE]

<<Previous

Forward>>