Before you attend a tea party, perhaps you should...

With all the Tea party madness going on (the madness being the poor/inaccurate reporting), and people saying they've had enough big government, bad government, and overall shenanigans, it made me wonder if people actually understand their governments, not just how they work, but what each entity's purpose is. Granted, there's definitely room for debate on this when you get down to the details, but I think the overall purpose is something that can be, at the very least, loosely agreed upon. I think if more citizens were to take some time to think about this, as well as what they want from their governments and how to let their voices be heard, it would help get everyone back on track.

So, with that, I ask that you consider doing the following:

1. Sit down with your family and figure out what's really important to you and your family and classify them into what's concrete (education, roads, polar bears, pizza, etc.) and what's abstract (religion, speech, bearing arms/children, other rights & such, etc.).

2. Now take your list of concrete items and figure out what on that list would benefit just you and your family. This is what is your responsibility. You can always ask for help, mind you, just accept the fact that you may not get it.

3. Next, figure out what on that list would benefit other like minded people, but not necessarily everyone. These things are for organizations/associations/clubs. If money or other resources are needed to help see these things through, you can raise funds as a group to accomplish these things. If you truely believe these things are important, then you will contribute to these groups. Just remember, not everyone cares about polar bears, baseball, mustangs, corvettes, girl/boy scouts, etc.

4. Then, figure out what on that list would benefit others in your area, no matter who they are (transportation, education, historical buildings, etc.) and write your local city council members, county and/or state legislators as appropriate. That old gym used for dances might concern your town or county, but not the state (just think about it).

That's it for your concrete list.

5. As for your abstract list, almost all of these things can be lumped into personal freedoms or prohibitions that you should be allowed to believe without persecution or prejudice.

6. Anything that involves limiting freedom, like speed limits, drinking ages, lifestyle choices, etc. are not necessarily true for everyone, and therefore are subject to debate with those around you at your city, county, and state levels as appropriate. This country was founded by its states, each with their own sets of ideals and personalities. What was important for one, was not necessarily important for another. This is why definitions of limitations were left out of the constitution and amendments.

7. Then take the rest of your list, things that don't limit you or others, things that you believe should be allowed, and write your federal level legislators to make sure this country continues to allow for you to have those freedoms and beliefs.

8. Also, remember that those in your community might not have the same list. If they're writing to their respective powers when you think that what others submitted doesn't agree with what you submitted, you may want to write in protest.

9. Finally, keep in mind that doing all that stuff you wanted isn't free. Just like clubs have dues, governments have taxes. If you don't like your city or state's laws and/or taxes, you can always move to a place that does. Same goes for the country. This may sound harsh, but where you live is more than just a location. You live in, and are a part of, your surroundings, your community, your city, etc.

Hopefully, this helps others as much as it has helped me, and help people realize where certain limitations and freedoms should be upheld.