April 15, 2010 - Tax Day. What a perfect day for a Tea Party. No, this Tea Party was not full of cakes, china, or tea; it was filled with people looking for a change. These people came from all over northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and even parts of Michigan. Not only were they looking for a change, they wanted our government to hear their voices and opinions. When President Obama was campaigning, he campaigned for change. Now, a year later, a majority of America has realized it is not the change they had hoped for.

The name “Tea Party” originates from the Boston Tea Party, which was when the colonists revolted against Great Britain’s control and taxing. Today, the Tea Party is a revolt against our government’s control and overbearing taxes. Many who do not know the facts about Tea Parties believe they are meant for republicans and conservatives. Well my friend, they are not. Tea Parties are meant to forget about political rivalries and parties. Instead, Tea Partiers want to get back to the ways of the Constitution and our government working for the people versus the other way around.

Duluth, Minnesota held their first Tea Party last year on April 15, 2009. Just like many locations, this year was their second gathering. I attended my first Tea Party with my family this year in Duluth along with around a thousand others. With an easy thirty mile per hour wind, folks gathered in Bayfront Park on Lake Superior to share their concern, love, and passion for our great country. People painted their car windows, signs, and came with their voices ready for shouting.

When my family and I first arrived, a reporter from the news station walked up to us and asked to interview either me or one of my siblings. My sister, Christianne Astleford, accepted the request and was questioned about her feelings toward Tea Parties, our country, and the things our government is doing. After the interview, the Tea Party began. The event had numerous speakers from the age of eleven to sixty. One woman spoke of our rights and one thing she said really stuck with me - “For every right, there is a responsibility.” For instance, owning a gun is a right. One has the right to bare arms, hence the Second Amendment, and with this right, they have a responsibility to use it for protection. An example of something that is not a right is health care. Some in Washington believe everyone has a right to health care, but no where in the Constitution does it mention anything about health care.

There was so much information and proven points that it was hard to remember everything, but the main things that stuck out to me in my experience, and should be shared, are that Tea Parties are not the rioting, violent events that some news stations and papers have reported. Not one person got out of line or was out of control. Another thing is people have asked me, my siblings, and I am sure many others, if Tea Partiers are “Obama and liberal hating rallies.” My answer is no. Not one time while I was at the Tea Party did a speaker say negative things about President Obama. Instead, they blamed things like “Washington” or “our government.” Do I like Obama and the way he is directing our country? No, I do not. But he is not the only one who is pushing things like health care reform or higher taxes that are pulling America in the wrong direction; Washington and Congress are a big part of it as well. Come November, if you are able to vote and are against the socialist direction our country is headed, make your voice be heard and vote. Just as the people at the Tea Party said, “Make this a November to remember.”