The Tea Party movement is a populist, conservative/libertarian, political movement inthe United States that grew throughout 2009 into a series of locally and nationallycoordinated protests. The protests were partially in response to several Federal laws:the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009,and a series of healthcare reform bills.

Because the Tea Party’s most noted national figures include highly seasonedRepublican politicians such as Dick Armey and Sarah Palin, nearly all Tea Partycandidates have run as Republicans, and almost 80% of Tea Partiers considerthemselves to be Republicans, critics have suggested that the “movement” is not a newpolitical group, but simply a marketing tool for traditional Republican candidates andpolicies.

ea Party agenda“Contract from America”The “Contract from America” was the idea of Houston-based lawyer, Ryan Hecker. Hestated that he developed the concept of creating a grassroots call for reform prior tothe April 15, 2009 Tax Day Tea Party rallies. To get his idea off the ground, he launcheda website, ContractFromAmerica.com, which encouraged people to offer possible planksfor the contract.1.Identify constitutionality of every new law2.Reject emissions trading3.Demand a balanced federal budget4.Simplify the tax system5.Audit federal government agencies for constitutionality6.Limit annual growth in federal spending7.Repeal the healthcare legislation passed on March 23, 20108.Pass an ‘All-of-the-Above’ Energy Policy9.Reduce Earmarks10.Reduce Taxes Read more at www.scribd.com

George Allen is the first U.S. Senate candidate in Virginia to sign the “Contract from America.”

The Contract From America Foundation calls the document “a Main Street, tea party-driven legislative blueprint for 2011 and beyond.”

The main tenets of the document include protecting the Constitution, rejecting Cap and Trade legislation, enacting “fundamental tax reform,” cutting spending, and a pledge to defund, repeal, and replace government-run health care.

“To me, signing this pledge is an affirmation of my commitment to protecting individual liberty, limited government and economic freedom,” Allen said. “In the Senate I would support and build upon the basic principles of the Contract from America.” Read more at www2.godanriver.com