Chicago’s 4th of July Non-Partisan Tea Party Is On!
Chicago America’s Independence Day Tea Party: A Non-Partisan, Astroturf-Free Tea Party
Chicago, Il - On Saturday July 4th, hundreds of “Tea Parties” will be held across the nation, drawing attention to the American people’s growing dissatisfaction with the actions of our Federal government.
Unfortunately, many of the Tea Parties are organized by “Astroturf” political consultants, intent on making the Tea Parties nothing but an artificial Republican Party rally, complete with the feigned outrage of talk radio talking heads.
The Free & Equal.org/ ReTeaParty.com Tea Party to be held in Chicago will be something very different.
Chicago’s Independence Day Tea Party will take place this Saturday, July 4th, 2009. The event will take place from 12 Noon until 4pm in Gateway Park at Navy Pier.
The America’s Independence Day Tea Party Movement is a nationwide demonstration forum for any and all groups and individuals dissatisfied with the current governance of the United States, regardless of ideology, partisan identity, or political affiliation.
On July 4th, 2009, we are asking Americans everywhere to re-declare our inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Listen to Ralph Nader talk about the Free & Equal/ ReTea Party 4th of July Event
America’s Independence Day Tea Parties: Astroturf Free!
The Independence Day Tea Parties are very different in nature from other tea parties taking place around the nation. The Free & Equal/ ReTea Parties are non-partisan in nature, and will feature speakers and guests from across the political spectrum.
“The Chicago Independence Day Tea Party is a fully nonpartisan event, with guests from all across the political spectrum,” said Free and Equal Chair and event organizer Christina Tobin.
Tobin added, “This will be a forum for any and all groups and individuals dissatisfied with the current governance of the United States, regardless of ideology, partisan identity, or political affiliation. While we may disagree on the solutions, on July 4th, 2009 we will come together as Americans to peacefully express our dissent from the current political status quo.”
Free & Equal.org & ReTeaParty have announced the speakers for the Chicago Tea Party. This diverse list of speakers includes members of several different political parties, activists from assorted political backgrounds, and authors who continue to challenge the current political status quo.
Read On for a List of Speakers:
Free & Equal Plan of Action
Free & Equal has released to the public our strategic plan to improve ballot access across the nation.
You can download the plan from our website here.
The plan details the steps Free & Equal will take over the next two years to eliminate the restrictive ballot access laws that make it difficult for Independent and Third Party candidates to secure their place on the ballot.
Ralph Nader & Ron Paul Agree: Ballot Access Laws are Rigged Against Independent & Third Party Candidates
Ralph Nader and Ron Paul, two of the most outspoken political leaders of our time, don’t agree all that often. But one thing they both understand is that the American political system is rigged against independent and third party candidates.
Restrictive ballot access laws across the nation prevent voters from having a real choice in who they vote for.
And the Democratic and Republican machines intend to keep it that way.
Former Nader campaign manager Theresa Amato’s new book Grand Illusion presents a scathing indictment of the current state of ballot access in America.
Grand Illusion recounts the story of the Democratic Party’s attempt to boot Nader out of the 2004 Presidential election, and offers insight into other recent independent and third party campaigns. Amato also lays out specific reform steps that can be taken to improve the state of ballot access in this country.
In this video, Ralph Nader lays the failures of our government at the feet of the Two-Party Tyranny. He encourages Americans to read the Grand Illusion and to get motivated to take our nation back from the two corporate controlled parties.
Click Here to Watch Ralph Nader on the Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny
In a statement released last week, Congressman Ron Paul commended the work of Free & Equal Elections, and also endorsed Amato’s new book.
“Our laws are stacked against any real third alternative in the two-party monopoly. By and large, candidates must conform to the system or have difficulty even getting on ballots. Americans deserve better, and across the country, people are waking up and working hard to remove unfair barriers. We deserve a system where third parties can compete, and Democrats and Republicans are held to their platforms and rhetoric. I am impressed by the work of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, and commend them for their leadership on this issue.
Theresa Amato has experienced the unfairness of our system like few others. Her new book “Grand Illusion” is an important contribution that anyone serious about ballot access reform should read. I thank Theresa for sharing her experiences with us and know her book will make a difference.”
Click Here to Read Congressman Paul’s Full Statement
Ron Paul Releases Statement of Support
Commends Free & Equal and Endorses Theresa Amato’s New Book Grand Illusion
Congressman Ron Paul, R-TX, has sent a statement of support for Free & Equal Elections, and an endorsement of Theresa Amato’s new book Grand Illusion.
In the statement, Congressman Paul says that Americans “deserve a system where third parties can compete,”that he is “impressed by the work of the Free & Equal Elections Foundation,” and that Theresa Amato’s new book is “an important contribution that anyone serious about ballot access reform should read.”
Democrats, Republicans, Minor Parties, & Independents All Agree: The Top Two Primary is a Bad Idea
One year from now, in June of 2010, the citizens of California will be asked to cast a vote on Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, also known as the California Top Two Primaries Act. The vote comes as a result of a back room deal earlier this year to end the deadlock on passing California’s new budget.
The amendment would institute a Washington state style “Top-Two” system, in which the top two vote getters in the primary are the only names to appear on the November ballot -even if that means only one political party is represented.
“… the biggest threat to the existence of minor parties in over 50 years.”
-Richard Winger, Ballot Access News
Free & Equal is a non-partisan election reform and activist organization dedicated to improving ballot access laws in the United States.
