I would like to thank Joann and BJ and the other organizers of this Tea Party. I am honored to speak to patriots.

In 1968 I was a Republican. I was an active republican, attending the state convention as a Reagan delegate, because Reagan spoke of following the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

At the time I thought that the Republican party was working for the same principles that I believe in:

individual liberty and responsibility
protection of my rights
a free market economy
a smaller central government constrained by the Constitution
and The Rule of Law

I attended a presentation by GOOOH.com (Get Out Of Our House) founder Tim Cox today in Clear Lake. Tim is a very unlikely revolutionist - but I think (hope?) that that is exactly what he is.

Consider this - 90% of us think Congress is doing a very poor job representing us, but 95% (or higher) of US Representatives are reelected each cycle. Tim has thought a lot about this and has identified 4 problems with our current (very broken) system:

• Money
• Party
• Career
• Accountability

We purchased a Chevy Suburban in 1999. Actually, a pretty good car, although we have replaced the transmission twice. We had the extended 100,000 mile warranty, so the replacements were on GM, not us. The next one, which seems very likely, will be on us. The Suburban is the best road car we have ever owned, and we have taken comfortable trips literally from coast to coast in it with as many as 7 passengers.

I just received an e-mail from the Texas GOP. Here is the essence of it:

June 11, 2009

Dear Bob,

YRUR Video Contest

Ask a Texan why they are Republican and you might hear one of a
hundred different answers.

People from across the Lone Star State identify with the Grand Old 
Party for a number of different reasons...

They are fiscally conservative
They are 2nd Amendment supporters
They are social conservatives
They believe in limited government

Because you are the most important asset of the Republican Party of 
Texas, we want to hear from you now.

... you are not paying attention!