The Time is Now!
If one thing is clear from the decades of reckless spending and the bipartisan destruction of our Constitution, it is that Washington D.C. cannot be the pilots of our economy, and cannot be entrusted with our future.
Bailouts and stimulus packages rob responsible savers, promote recklessness, and stifle productivity. Fear mongering has become a tool of the governing elite and principles have seceded from compromise.
Election after election, Americans look to our political parties for respectable and honest candidates. Campaign after campaign is run on hyperbolized appeals to emotion, empty rhetoric, and meaningless debate; nothing changes.
Now, it is our turn.
Those that respect self-responsibility, honesty, and the ideals set forth in the Constitution have an opportunity to send a message to the thieves in Washington. We have had ENOUGH, and we’re not going to take it anymore!
Leave the reasons why you are MAD and what your solutions are to the problem.
The best posts will be featured as blogs on this site.
*Please remain respectful and use appropriate language for readers of all ages.
DK5 said:
My solution is very simple. Americans should use the stimulus money they will be getting back starting in April or June to rid ourselves of these corrupt politicians. Mr. Santelli, if someone would start an organized fund like a 501 where the people could send back the stimulus checks, then direct the money to the campaigns of the opponents of the very ones responsible for creating the mess we find ourselves in now. Starting with Barney Frank and Arlon Spector and ending in 2012 with Mr. Obama. I personally will be sending the total amount of stimulus I receive even though I have five children and don’t have much. I will be sacrificing a small amount each week,it will not be missed,but it will be money well spent trying to save my children, and America from forever changing into the Socialist States Of America. sincerely,DK5
February 28th, 2009 at 5:00 am
music maven said:
I was watching live the morning of “Rick’s Rant” and actually stood up, cheered and clapped. He hit the nail on the proverbial head and I was so inspired, I wrote a post about it on my own blog….
Righteous Richard’s Revolutionary Rant
Get Up. Stand Up.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Joe said:
Rick, thank you for having the conviction and courage to speak out for what is right. I salute you
February 28th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Terry said:
I want everyone to know that what we need in the country is Politicians who will simply “Say what they mean and mean what they say.”
Why do the clowns in Washington think we the people are going to sit by and allow them to trash this country, trash our constitution, and move us toward socialism?
The only difference between the clowns in Washington and the REAL CLOWNS at the circus is the clowns at the circus DON’T TALK!
Stand up America. Let the clowns in Washington know that we do not work for them….. THEY WORK FOR US!
Terry
Stow, OH
February 28th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Mary Anne McCabe said:
America lets take back our country
Lets Say Merry Christmas>>
Lets say In God We Trust>>
Lets March on Washington and demand accountablity from Pelois
Frank and Dodd..
Lets keep our country safe and praise our
troops!!! AMERICA LETS UNITE
February 28th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Hawk said:
I have not spent my whole life studying and working my butt off, through grad school, doing research, and going to medical school, with all the loans, and living just above the poverty line, to start finally making a living and a family at age 40, TO GIVE IT ALL AWAY TO LAZY BUMS WITH A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Nick said:
I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m a Seminary student who reads extensively. I have bookshelves in my room and now books on the floor because frankly, I’m running out of room. Now I live in a day and age where I believe the economy is going to go bankrupt and I have a hard enough time paying for my continuing education as is. What makes it different for me is that I can claim disability easily and call and get all of my education paid for and I refuse. I intend to work. Instead, Obama wants to reward those who don’t work and punish those of us who do. I want to be a success in what I do, and I fear the freedom I enjoy today to reach that success is disappearing right before my eyes due to the Obamanation that’s causing desolation.
Yeah. There are people who are suffering, but some of us like myself do work hard. When I need financial help, I contact friends, family, and the church. Not the government. The role of government is not the charity business, but to make sure that I have the freedom to pursue the dreams that I have.
I’m all for another tea party. I am an American and I believe in America. Jindal is right. Americans can do anything. Obama says I can’t do anything. I need the government to help me pay for everything. It’s not his role to save the world, but it might be up to the people now to save America.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Karen Blake said:
I sent over hundreds tea bags to various Representatives and Senators before the vote on the porkulus bill. Glad that many others have the same idea - if anyone is interested in some of the remaining tea bags, check out the http://www.eastindiancompany.com website and send me an email.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Caleb Byrd said:
I am a member of a generation of debtors. I am 15, and with Obama’s Marxist policies, my generation’s dreams will be crushed. In school, we work hard so we don’t have to take finals at the end of the year. This incentive causes my classmates and I to do better on our schoolwork. If Obama could follow this simple principle with the economy it would improve America’s situation. I would like to ask Obama two yes or no questions: Can America survive without welfare and Can America survive without capitalism. The problem with asking those two questions is that Obama can never seem to answer yes or no. Please protest Obama’s policies for the future of America that former generations have worked so hard to maintain.
Caleb Byrd
February 28th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Josh said:
I have no problem admitting I am in some debt, but I am not going to ask the government for them to pay it off for me. I am working on paying it off myself. I don’t want to make other people pay off my mistakes. I’m a senior in college and am tired of these people that aren’t responsible, or don’t care, living off the government.
I’ll admit that Bush made some mistakes, but Obama is killing him in that department in the one month he has been president. It is ridiculous and am extremely worried about where this country is heading. I am really starting to believe that he has absolutely no clue what is going on. I gave him the benefit of the doubt at first thinking that he might know a little something or surround himself with people that do, but instead he surrounds himself around people that don’t pay their taxes and get by with it.
He is putting this country in an opportunity for a rebellion.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Randall said:
Way to go Rick! Now let’s hope you’ve got more spine that the GOP and stick to your guns.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:47 am
PETE WUEBKER said:
We’ve never been very politically active. But we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore.
It is time for true patriots of all ages, types and shapes to stand up and be counted. Quit being herded around like sheep.
We’ll be spending our summer vacation at either the Boston Tea Party or at Chicago’s.
We’ve already ordered our black shirts and caps. For those who are like minded, here is the zazzle link with search terms included: http://www.zazzle.com/chicago+tea+party+gifts
I don’t have a solution, but I do know that paying for people’s financial irresponsibility only begets more of the same. And funding organizations like Acorn who use strong arm tactics to encourage and promote such behavior is nuts.
A Tea Party is just what this country needs, Or an enema.
I can tell you this, the main stream media is not going to provide any coverage except for the day of the events. Friends I’ve talked with across the country who are also fed up do not even know this site exists. We’re doing our best to help get the word out.
Revolution Is Brewing.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Brandan said:
Josh, what do you mean “an oppurtunity foe a rebellion”??
February 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Lisa Webb said:
Way to go, Rick!!! I, too, clapped and cheered when I saw you articulate so much of what many Americans are feeling!
I am furious because our country is turning into a bunch of mindless, mis-educated, lazy, whimpy, and entitled people.
Our Constitution is being shredded on a daily basis, and so many people know little if anything about our founders’ intentions and the wonderfully inspired Constitution. (Thanks, public schools! which my kids attend, BTW).
I am also mad that no one, even the politicians, understands the REAL causes of this crisis…I have been doing some self-education and have learned a lot! We are in this mess b/c of, not underregulation, but government intereference in the markets and monetary policies for over a century. Think the FED, the Treasury, the IMF, Fannie and Freddie, and the Community Reinvestment Act. The FED has been manipulating interest rates and money supply forever…if they would just let our markets be FREE markets, the dramatic boom/bust cycles would not exist, and the economic cycles would be much more stable and less volatile, healing from downturns quickly. But we have not had a TRULY free market for a long time.
No one is talking about the FED…it is a huge culprit that seems to escape any scrutiny!
Read “Meltdown” by Thomas E. Woods, Jr. if you want to really understand this crisis and what would truly fix it. A fabulous read!!!
Bravo to all of the Tea Party attenders! I hope to find one near me soon!
Keep your head held high, Rick…no doubt the left will try to villify you and make your life miserable. Tell them where to put their marxism!
February 28th, 2009 at 11:26 am
john didomenico said:
God bless rick santelli for having the courage to publicly broadcast how so many of us feel about our corrupt politicians,They no longer represent the citizens that elected them and their incompetence is banklrupting this country.I have always paid my taxes and practised personal responsibility but for the first time in my life I have lost faith in my government and wonder why I shoule send money to Washington so they can give it to irresponsible bankers
February 28th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Josh said:
Brandon-I am just meaning that he is setting it up there where people are going to be close to being fed up with the government all together. I am in no way saying I would start one, but they are making so many people mad right now that it could start some stuff because you have people that blindly following all of Obama’s policies and have the people who know what is going on and the slight of hand he is pulling. Those two groups aren’t seeing eye-to-eye right now. Maybe “riots” were the right word.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Carol said:
God bless you Rick Santelli! There are millions of us out here supporting you. You had the platform and the courage to say what we all are thinking and saying in our own circles, but we have no national voice.
These tea parties need to continue. Republican leadership needs to step it up and get involved in organizing these protests and articulating our cause to attract more to our numbers. Your bravery in standing up to Obama and the liberal media is truly inspiring. I know the liberal media is already trying to discredit you, so I just want you to know how much we all appreciate what you have done.
Keep up the great work.
February 28th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
SANTELLITOOL said:
wow alot of these comments sound like adcopy. unemployed writers need to do something i suppose.
more neocon viral ‘protest’
{The previous post by this commenter was removed for offensive language and promoting violence, against the Terms of usage found at the bottom of the site. We are also excited to see that this commenter has found something to do. -admin}
February 28th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Rejtan said:
Where does one begin? I say with natural rights! I have a right to life, liberty and property! These are individual rights that we are born with (maybe even the unborn), they are non-negotiable, self-evident, and cannot be trampled on with the “justification” that the end justifies the means. They are negative rights, they cannot be provided, they exist as long as man exists. Collectivists believe our income is society’s income, and that everyone has an equal right to his share of income…they have the right to enslave us. Ergo, our right to private property is now a “collective right,” the State decides how we shall choose to use our property, what and how much we can speak, and what we can and cannot do: we are subjects of the State.
Thus, our income is taxed, i.e. stolen, from us, corporations are subsidized with our stolen money, failure is rewarded via stolen money…our rights are manipulated…the Constitution is no longer applicable…a slipper slope to unlimited government, indeed.
I am MAD because I LOVE LIBERTY! Liberty is essential for man’s survival, essential for us to choose our means of living, essential to find happiness, and essential to love our fellow man. The Constitution is Liberty in action! And the Constitution has been manipulated, tortured, reinterpreted, and forgotten about…therefore, Liberty itself has been manipulated and reconfigured, so today many will say that we need greater control for greater liberty and to practice our liberty we need a greater controller! What!? I need not say more.
Liberty is sacred:
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty,or give me death!” Patrick Henry
I say hide your money before it is gone, organize others who love liberty before we cannot, converse with others on liberty before we cannot, buy lots of guns before we cannot, learn about liberty before we cannot, and protest before we cannot.
Perhaps what I wrote was extreme, but, remember extreme defense of liberty will never result in any murder, any stolen property, or any coercion of any kind on our fellow humankind, and if it does we are not defending liberty; think of what the extreme of other ideologies preach and have in action done to humankind? Which choice is moral?
In Defense of Liberty,
Rejtan
February 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Rejtan said:
Shoot got way into that, what needs to be done:
We need to educate people about Liberty, the Constitution, free markets, what caused the crisis, and why we should fear Statism.
We need to organize ourselves and protest in the tradition of the revolutionaries, to show our connection to our founding(Though…lets leave out the tar and feathers). Like the Boston Tea party.
We need to establish a platform that candidates for offices should take upon to limit government and resurrect liberty,
This platform shall be: The Constitution.
Things like:
End all subsidies and bailouts;
Get rid of the payroll tax, income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax etc…perhaps rely on a very low sales tax?
Protect property rights;
Protect gun rights;
End the Fed;
Further deregulate the market;
Amendment for a balanced budget;
Privatize all industries (like US Postal);
any more ideas?
In Defense of Liberty,
Rejtan
February 28th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
James said:
I couldnt agree more!!!!!!!! We are not alone in our beliefs ladies and gentlemen. We must come together. The very fabric of our beloved country is being torn apart under the disguise of crisis.
To all of those who are mad as HELL, but lack direction. I ask that you hang tight. We will right this ship and the momentum grows. Complacency is the path of treachery.
I will not surrender my country to socialism nor let my son inherit a nation devoid of the benefits I inherited without a fight.
In case I was unclear. I will never accept socialism. I will fight to defend the free market and the consititution.
This is only the begining. “While I live give me a country, a free country!” (John Adams 1776)
February 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Extremism in the Defense of Liberty « Rick Santelli’s Chicago Tea Party said:
[...] a recent post, supporters were asked to submit the reasons why they are MAD, and to give us their solutions to [...]
February 28th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Mary said:
This is an awesome movement, thanks Rick for saying what the rest of us have been saying since the first TARP money bailout was jammed down our throats by a bunch of corrupt politicians that believe refuse to represent the majority of their constituency that did not support this bill. It is a sad day in this country when the elected officials deem their knowledge of what is in our better interest takes precendent over the taxpayers that are expected to pay for it.
In light of the fact their is a class war going on now in this nation, it would make sense to not only send tea bags but for everyone that owes the govt. more tax money this April, or pays a quarterly payment to refuse to send those payments on to DC and see how they like it. They can’t arrest the entire nation now, can they ?
It would also be helpful if taxpayers were allowed access to each individual budget for every congressman and senator and allow us to determine what will appropriate deductions and what expenses will be deemed personal. This way maybe folks like Nancy Pelosi will quit flying around govt. jet and simply go commerical like the rest of us hard workings, taxpaying folks that support them.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:53 am
Andre said:
While I can appreciate the impassioned sentiments of other participants, we need a concrete plan to return our federal government to its constitutional origins.
First, the U.S. Constitution is the blueprint for our government. As such, we need to study the Constitution to determine what the Federal government will be responsible for. This includes the proper designation of cabinets and departments. The bottom line is, if it is NOT in the Constitution, it should NOT be part of the Federal government!
Second, we need to determine how much it will reasonably cost to operate this constitutionally-based Federal government. This should include some sort of “savings” provision. In other words, just like a well-run household, the Federal government should have a checking account and a savings account, and the savings account should only be used in the event of an emergency.
Third, a method of raising money must be refined to fund the Federal government. I propose a reasonable national sales tax (some call this the currently-proposed Fair Tax). This would be the ONLY tax which raises money for the Federal government. The several states would be able to organize their own tax structure, though I would recommend that they similarly institute a single state sales tax. The national sales tax would apply to new goods; the only non-taxed - or exempt - items would be (healthy) food, medical supplies, and baby supplies. There would be no loopholes or exceptions for corporations.
Fourth (and this is really a subset of the third point), the Treasury - and the Treasury alone - will be responsible for minting and distributing money. Furthermore, this money must and will be backed by a precious commodity, such as gold or silver.
Fifth, the Federal government must NOT be allowed to spend more than it takes in. While self-evident, this would also serve as a good example for the people. At present, we should not be surprised to see so many financially irresponsible corporations and individuals, as even our own Federal government cannot balance a checkbook or save money!
Certainly, there is more, but I think it’s a good start. How do we return to our constitutional roots? How do we simplify government at all levels (but particularly at the federal level)? Short of revolution (which I think should only be used as a last resort), we MUST demand of our current elected officials the passage of key pieces of legislation, such as the Fair Tax (though, personally, I think the Fair Tax is a bit more complex than it needs to be), as well as the legislation that abolishes the Federal Reserve (which is privately held). Furthermore, we MUST demand that specific federal departments and agencies be closed. But, you ask, won’t this result in a lot of people losing their job? In the short-term, yes, but if the free market will support a market-based equivalent of the closed federal agency, then those jobs will re-surface.
This is not going to be easy, but it can be done and MUST be done!! I would love to read your feedback! Most importantly, though, write to your representatives! And not just once or twice, but as many times as it takes to produce some real change! Good luck!
March 1st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Tom Chase said:
Yes, take our government from the scum. Then let them twist in the wind at the end of a piano wire. Both parties must be destroyed. They are useless lying parasites.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Tom Chase said:
By the way, who in Washington and at the local level is being bribed by the Mexican drug cartels? Many at the top are, otherwise they would not be blocking every effort to support this nation. At the same time they are all more concerned with the well being of illegal immigrants and the Mexican people. Just take a look at Holder’s comments about banning long guns (they are only assault weapons if you assault someone with them). He said a ban on them would help the Mexican Government. So what. I say put 20 heavily armed divisions on the border and dare one more to come across.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
prsmith said:
I have a very simple solution:
QUIT PAYING ILLEGAL TAXES!!
Become a true patriot and file zero-income tax returns by the tens of millions! Maximize your deductions to minimize withholdings or stop them completely if your employer will cooperate. DON’T renew your driver’s license. Don’t get concealed carry permits. Don’t pay any tax that goes either to your state capital or to Washington that you can avoid paying (not much you can do about gasoline taxes).
Let’s let Washington know precisely how unhappy we are!
Until the central government ceases to usurp the sovereign powers not granted to it by the Constitution and until the states reassert their (and our) sovereignty by shutting down the illegal taxes, departments, giveaways, re-distributions of wealth, etc, we have a God-given right to withhold our money until, per the 1st Amendment, our “right to petition the government for a redress of grievances” AND TO GET SAID REDRESS!
March 1st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Jenny T said:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2196767/posts
This guy has a great idea - not sure if he is sure on acting on it, but it very well could be done…..
Everyone says stand up, take America back….but how? what? Letter, emails, calls to our elected officials who are SUPPOSED TOBE WORKING FOR US, not the other way around, dones’t work. This is why the tea parties, or the guys post in the above link are the only tings that *may* get the attention of our elected officials. The Washington elitists need to be strongly reminded that they were elected by the people, and are PAID by the people. Both parties are corrupted, this is much worse than just a “republican vs democrat” issue. Both parties need overhauled, and someone needs to lead us with VALUES and who will uphold the founding fathers principles. I am tired of the silent majority - no more silence!!
March 1st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
GEH said:
People it would be nice if millions of us bonded together and marched on Washington and shut down every road going into DC. It would be a peaceful protest buts its time to take our government back FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE
March 17th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Carol Scott said:
I would agree that a TRILLION MAN MARCH! Is suiting for the Dollar amount we are spending for this administration to single handedly destroy our foundations for liberty, justice, freedom of speech and THE AMERICAN WAY ! I also agree that the March should take place in washington as close to The White House as possible……I have never protested anything formally in my life BUT, I HAVE HAD IT!!!! I never in my life thought I would hear what I am hearing regarding the threats to our freedoms and life as we all have known it , like I am hearing now. This is serious stuff and we better wake people up and take a stand! Sign me up! I am so there!!! CAROL
March 18th, 2009 at 2:47 am
GEH said:
Carol that 2 of us now we need a few million more this socalist/communist government has went on long enough. so come on people join up with Carol and Me lets get millions and march on DC.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:33 pm