The political pundits keep insisting that the Tea Party movement doesn’t really stand for anything. Some Tea Party organizers insist that our economic and patriotic ills are a result of high taxes and our new President.

From day one, ReTeaParty.com has insisted that our grievances go well beyond an administration, a few policies, specific politicians, or a particular political party. The fuel behind our passion derives from the bipartisan destruction of our individual liberties, disrespect for our private property, and the shredding of our Constitution.

As such, ReTeaParty.com and FreeAndEqual.org offer the following statement of principles:

Corporatism: We believe that the role of the federal government is to uphold voluntary contracts executed by and between all individuals and entities within the bounds of the legal authority set forth in the Constitution of the United States. In no event, shall the federal government use its legal authority to alter the cost of production and/or service of one individual, set of individuals, entity, or set of entities relative to any other competing individual or entity.

The Federal Reserve: We seek a thorough investigation, evaluation and audit of the Federal Reserve System and its cozy relationships with the banking, corporate, and other financial institutions. The arbitrary power to create money and credit out of thin air behind closed doors for the benefit of commercial interests must be ended. There should be no taxpayer bailouts of corporations and no corporate subsidies. Corporations should be aggressively prosecuted for their crimes and frauds.

Privacy: We must protect the privacy and civil liberties of all persons under US jurisdiction. We must repeal or radically change the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the FISA legislation. We must reject the notion and practice of torture, eliminations of habeas corpus, secret tribunals, and secret prisons. We must deny immunity for corporations that spy willingly on the people for the benefit of the government. We must reject the unitary presidency, the illegal use of signing statements and excessive use of executive orders.

The National Debt: We believe that there should be no increase in the national debt. The burden of debt placed on the next generation is unjust and already threatening our economy and the value of our dollar. We must pay our bills as we go along and not unfairly place this burden on a future generation.