After substantial discussion, the following resolution in support of the general goals of the present-day “Tea Party” movement was adopted by the members of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly during its Annual Convention on Thursday evening. Specifically, the RIRA strongly encourages participation in the “Providence Tax Day Tea Party,” to be held on the steps of the Rhode Island State House in Providence, on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
A RESOLUTION
By the Convention of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly – April 9th, 2009
In support of the “Tax Day Tea Party” to be held in Providence, RI
April 15th, 2009
Whereas; On December 16th, 1773, a group of American colonists, in protest of the imperial British government’s Tea Act (a tax on tea), boarded British ships and dumped their cargo of tea into Boston Harbor. This single act of defiance sent a bold statement to the British government that colonists in America would no longer accept the burdens of excessive taxation from a distant land, without representation.
Whereas; The “Tea Party” protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, in a broadcast from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, set out on a spontaneous self-described “rant” to expose the bankrupt agenda of the White House Administration and Congress; specifically, the flawed “Stimulus Bill” and pork-filled federal budget. He called for a “Chicago Tea Party” where advocates of the free-market system could join in protest against out of control spending, excessive and unsustainable borrowing, and the coercive involvement in the private sector by the federal government.
Whereas; On February 27th, an estimated 30,000 Americans took to the streets in over 40 cities across the country in the first nationwide “Tea Party” protest. Organizers of the February 27th events pledged to continue on with an even bigger and better protest to follow the first.
Whereas; With April 15th being “Tax Day” in the United States, it was decided by the organizers to schedule the second round of Tea Party protests to coincide with the tax deadline.
Whereas; The Tea Party effort is just a small piece of a much larger movement aimed at restoring the basic free-market principles our country was built on. We believe that the Constitution, for the most part, is being ignored by our current government and we intend on working together to correct the problem.
Whereas; The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, as a chartered affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, believes that the federal tax system is abusive to the American people and discourages investment and growth. We believe in growth-oriented tax policies which would gradually eliminate punitive income taxes and move our tax system toward that which was originally established by our Founding Fathers.
Whereas; The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, as a chartered affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, believes in the free enterprise system as the best hope for the most people to fulfill their economic hopes and dreams. We know that the free market is the most efficient and the least costly system to deliver the highest quality goods and services at the lowest price to the consumer. We will support only those who support the free enterprise system through legislation to reduce or eliminate intrusive government intervention in the marketplace.
Whereas; The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, as a chartered affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, believes in the supremacy of the power of individual citizens over the powers they choose to delegate to the state, a principle enshrined in the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. We believe that only small government truly serves the needs of the people and that those governments closest to the people are most responsive to their needs. We affirm the principle of Federalism, and its establishment in the form created by the Founders.
Therefore, Be It Resolved: That this Convention of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly – our state’s largest and most active conservative organization – supports the general goals of the present-day Tea Party movement. As such, the RIRA strongly encourages the active participation of its statewide membership, as well as that of all concerned citizens of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in the “Providence Tax Day Tea Party,” to be held on the steps of the Rhode Island State House in Providence, on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Founded in 2001, the Rhode Island Republican Assembly is a chartered state affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, our nation’s oldest and largest conservative Republican volunteer organization.
Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Raymond McKay, President, RIRA
(401) 487-2514 | president [at] ri-ra [dot] org | http://www.ri-ra.org
