You are welcome to be open about your Christianity, and you are welcome to be proud that you have been saved. Bless you for getting involved here.

However, I should like to be very clear that the Boston Tea Party was founded in 2006 by freedom loving individuals. We are not conservatives, in that we are not racists, we are not sexists, we are not religious bigots, we do not hate persons who have other religious ideology, we are not xenophobic, we are not homophobic, and we do not seek more government in any area that would conceivably constrain other people from behaving as their consciences dictate. We are extremely tolerant for many reasons. Perhaps the best of these is that productive people should not be taxed to support things they hate. A smaller government at all levels and on all issues is better for everyone.

A government which is strong enough to oppress your neighbour for thinking differently from you is also strong enough to oppress you for being different from her. The productive class, the Americans who work, own businesses, invest capital, should not be preyed upon by the parasitic class, those in government who steal our wealth and plunder our lives.

I would only further quibble with the right to bare arms, or any other part of the body. Nudity is okay by me. I also bear arms, in that I keep and bear weapons.

Thanks!

Having been a tireless advocate for DECADES regarding the principles now vigorously upheld by the BTP (with the exception of the unfortunate elitist proselytizing of "Christianity," [even though I am a duly-consecrated Orthodox Christian bishop]), I am delighted to report that I'm now finally ready to leave the planet (without assistance from NASA), for eternity. Because I am mostly so very, very grateful for you BTF. Bravo Zulu...Carry On!!!!!!

Perhaps you should have read the platform ( http://bostontea.us/platform ), program ( http://bostontea.us/program ) and some of the resolutions ( http://bostontea.us/node/430 ) passed by the BTP.

The platform states, "The Boston Tea Party supports reducing the size, scope and power of government at all levels and on all issues, and opposes increasing the size, scope and power of government at any level, for any purpose."

Program of the Boston Tea Party
Adopted in Convention, October 26th, 2008

[Note: The Boston Tea Party's 2008-2010 program consists of the Campaign For Liberty's four points, endorsed by US Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and presidential candidates Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party), Cynthia McKinney (Green Party), Ralph Nader (Independent), Bob Barr (Libertarian Party) and Charles Jay, the Boston Tea Party's 2008 presidential nominee.]

1. Foreign Policy: The Iraq War must end as quickly as possible with removal of all our soldiers from the region. We must initiate the return of our soldiers from around the world, including Korea, Japan, Europe and the entire Middle East. We must cease the war propaganda, threats of a blockade and plans for attacks on Iran, nor should we re-ignite the cold war with Russia over Georgia. We must be willing to talk to all countries and offer friendship and trade and travel to all who are willing. We must take off the table the threat of a nuclear first strike against all nations.

2. 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, elimination 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

so, if i did not agree with Reagan or Reaganomics and believe that religious principals are a personal and private issue, how does that impact my participation in your version of a "Tea Party?

thanks.

Sparky