On the road back to responsibility

By Alexia Storey

I would like to extend my thanks to all of the concerned citizens who made the time to attend the Tea Party in front of the Legislature building April 15. It is my sincere hope that we have begun a movement back toward small government, personal responsibility and individualism that has slowly eroded over the past 40 years.

The tea parties on most national news outlets were portrayed as being much smaller, and much less significant, than they actually were. In most cases, attendance was reported in the hundreds, when in fact it was in the thousands at each of these tea parties.

The media also framed the tea parties as "Republican" events, when in fact this movement has nothing at all to do with political affiliation, but is, rather, a recognition by people of all political persuasions that we have lost our way, the American way, and it's time to take it back.

A strong message needs to be sent to our employees in Washington, D.C. It seems that they have forgotten for whom they work. While the tea party focused attention on taxation without representation, we must continue to face down the larger issues that have gotten us where we are today.

The upcoming 2010 election will be upon us soon. I ask each one of you to take the responsibility to educate yourselves about the people who present themselves for election. Take the time to check their records, see how they have voted. Make your decisions wisely, not based on party loyalty or name recognition. If we all do this, I think we will find that there will be no more incumbents in office, because they have failed the people who hired them.

Finally, some have made the Tea Party movement appear to be an outcry against the president. Whether or not we agree with his policies, recognize that he is only one man. Our government is designed with checks and balances. The founders designed it this way to prevent dictatorial rule. The office of president has term limits for the same reason. Should not Congress also be subject to term limits? There are congressmen who have been in office for more than 40 years. Congressional service was intended to be just that, service. It was never intended to be a career, yet many of these people have made fortunes while misrepresenting their constituencies.

Please consider carefully when you elect your next representative. Do not rely on the media to inform you. Take the time to understand their agenda, and make your choices at the polls based on the facts. Let your voice be heard. It is not too late.

- Alexia Storey of Carson City is a concerned citizen and community activist.