Residents hold Plains tea party on Saturday

Danielle Switalski

The Sanders County TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party Patriots, a new organization dedicating to upholding the United States Constitution held their first ever TEA Party in Fred Young Park last Saturday in order to educate everyone about the government, the United States’ constitution and irresponsible government spending, said Tea Party organizer and President Ron Robinson. 

The Plains Tea Party coincided with hundreds of other Tea Parties taking place across the country. The day’s events began at noon with songs from the Assembly of God’s church band.  Spectators and protestors circled the stage set in the middle of the park.  Many held signs that read things such as “Taxed Enough Already” or “Limited government under God.”

With 53 members in the Tea Party Patriots committee that was just formed on August 4, Robinson said he was “excited about the support that we have.”

Member and co-organizer Sally Miller said they hoped for a little better of a turnout, however there were various events throughout the county on Saturday that took people away from the Tea Party.

“We had good speakers and the crowd wasn’t out of control at all.  Everyone was coming together and the camaraderie was great,” said Miller.

After the church band performed, the day was filled with various speakers including Montana state senator Greg Hinkle of Thompson Falls, past Montana Representative Rick Jore of Ronan, and Representative Pat Ingraham of Thompson Falls.  Robinson and pastor Jim Sinclair also spoke. 

During the speeches Hinkle spoke mainly about his Forest Service Project and Jore spoke mainly about the United States constitution and about America as a Christian nation and “one nation under God.”  

According to their mission statement, the Tea Party Patriots are a non-partisan, grassroots organization united by core values taken from the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Federalists Papers and the United States Constitution. 

Miller stressed that the group is not concerned with political parties and anyone can join regardless of who someone voted for in past elections or what political parties one belongs to.

“We want more people to get involved and they have to understand it’s not about any political party, it’s about America and we want to take it back, we want to fight for America,” said Miller.

The Tea Party Patriots also had a float in the Plains Parade the Saturday of Sanders County Fair, which received applause from the crowd as they walked by.  Robinson said they have not received much backlash from the community yet, and only had about three or four negative comments about their float during the parade.

The Tea Party Patriots hold meetings the last Tuesday of every month at the VFW at 7:00.  Miller said they are planning to have more Tea Parties, however they are waiting to coordinate a Party with the other groups throughout the nation. 

“I thought it was awesome the people that were there, everyone there was on the same track and everybody was in-tuned and I hope more people come out and get involved,” said Miller.