Official Home of the Albuquerque Tea Party

Sylvia Bokor died of lung cancer on July 19th.

7/20/2018

Silvia Bokor was a tireless patriot who worked with all conservative organizations to expose those who would take away our freedoms. She relentlessly searched for the truth and if someone or some group in power was misbehaving, she didn't hold back. Her blog had subscribers all across the country. She helped the TEA Party from the beginning, lending us her knowledge of marketing and her tireless energy. She was instrumental in developing marketing materials that made the annual Constitution Day Dinner a yearly success.
Silvia is the third conservative woman we have lost this year. Marge Tapia, Maryanne Chiffele, and now Silvia will leave a hole in Albuquerque's efforts to bring freedom for all in our state and our city. These three women are models of decency, passion and dedication to conservatism and liberty for all. They will all be missed.

In Loving Memory... Marge Tapia's Video Tribute

5/10/2018

The ATP Board and Tapia family appreciate all who came to celebrate Marge's life at her memorial service. For those of you who were unable to attend, the Tapia family has shared the video tribute her sons created for her. A heartfelt thank-you to Stino and family for sharing this with us.

Power to the People Through Article V

2/16/2018

ACTION ITEM: Sign the COS Petition! The Convention of States is working to restore the federal government to constitutional governance by proposing amendments that will 1) impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, 2) limit its power and jurisdiction, and 3) impose term limits on its officials and members of Congress. Return the power to the people through Article V.

WARNING: ABQ Paid Sick Leave Ordinance will Hurt Employees and an Already Struggling City Economy! Read, Share, Vote NO

9/1/2017

ACHE [Albuquerque for a Healthy Economy] provides the following copy of the paid sick leave ordinance on the upcoming Municipal Elections, October 3, 2017. ACHE has highlighted some of the most damaging elements of this ordinance. Read, share and vote No come October 3!

Albuquerque Tea Party Finally Gets IRS Exempt Status

7/13/2017

After six long years and endless appeals, the IRS has finally granted the Albuquerque Tea Party (ATP) its long-overdue status as a nonprofit 401c(4) organization! ATP President Graham Bartlett states, "The decision by the IRS is a win for free speech for all parties."

ATP is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating the public on the importance of the core principles of constitutionally limited government and the free enterprise system.

As an example of ATP activities, on July 18 we are hosting a Mayoral Candidates' Forum at the UNM Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NE, in which all eight of the mayoral candidates have promised to attend. The event will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. Refreshments will be provided at a "Meet and Greet" starting at 6:30 PM, with the Forum beginning at 7:00 PM.

ATP hosted a similar event, also moderated by the League of Women Voters, for Albuquerque Public School Board candidates back in January of this year.

These events illustrate just how unjustified the long delay in granting ATP's nonprofit status really was. We hope the IRS will continue what appears to be its new and more balanced approach to evaluating applications for nonprofit status by conservative organizations interested in public affairs.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) represented the ATP pro bono before the IRS.

For more information, contact Graham Bartlett at gbartlett@abqteaparty.com.

Remembering Our Fallen

5/29/2017

ATP BOARD: Destructive Politics

5/29/2017

How did we get to the state we are in today? Our elected officials are no longer working to provide 'we the people' with the things our state and national Constitutions require of them. Their time is exclusively spent gaining power, and lately gaining power by destroying anyone who is not on their side.

Destructive politics has become a well-organized process. Can you imagine what our nation and our state would be like if our elected officials spent even half the amount of time promoting the general welfare than they do trying to destroy the opposition?

The relentless attacks on Trump by the media and the Democratic leadership are like a fine-tuned instrument. If at any time, you listen to the mass media, you will hear the same phrases repeated in every channel. Is that by accident or is someone providing the day's "talking points"?

But let's not limit it to the Democratic party - the Republicans are no angels. Depending on which way the political winds are blowing, they will throw anyone under the bus who does not fit their power agenda, including those members of their own party who are trying to be hardworking representatives of the electorate.

I am not sure if the New Mexico party bosses have taught the national parties how to destroy their opponents or the other way around. But NM is up there with the best (or worst) of them. Their attacks on the Sonntags are a perfect example of destructive politics, a la New Mexico style.

The current climate of destructive politics is disgusting. ATP will work to expose and defeat those politicians at the polls who practice that type of behavior. We will do this by seeking the truth on the issues and spreading the truth in all our education efforts. We believe in the Constitution and that governments exist to serve the people, not their own power ambitions.

We welcome all New Mexicans who agree with bringing civility back into our society to join us in making New Mexico and the United States a place where liberty is more important than power politics.

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.

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