“Tea Party backs Coats” Huh?

The front page headline, “Tea partiers say they’ll back Coats in Senate bid” on May 6 caught me off guard. To start with, I consider myself a “tea partier” in that I am involved with the local group, the 6^th District Constitutional Patriots. We do not have any direct affiliation with Cindy Bachota of Concerned Citizens of Michiana, or any other group for that matter. Our general policy is that we do not endorse candidates; we provide information and forums so that candidates from any party and citizens can interact, allowing the citizens to make their own reasoned choices.

Ms. Bachota’s blanket statement pledging tea party support of Dan Coats as the Republican U.S. Senate candidate is not something our local group was consulted on. Had we been consulted, there would be no such support (regardless of the candidate or party). If individuals who happen to attend our meetings wish to support Mr. Coats or any candidate, that is their choice.

It is also, in my individual opinion, disconcerting that a tea party group would publicly pledge support for any candidate, let alone one who drew so much ire from the tea parties. A pledge of support, like a vote, should have more value and be earned, not automatic. A pledge of support, like a vote, should represent trust and confidence in the candidate, not blind allegiance to a party. Ms. Bachota’s pledge appears to be based on the resignation that “Oh well, he’s the guy with the ‘R’ after his name.”

I thought one of the reasons we all left the comfort of our homes to get involved in a grassroots political movement was to push back at the national political parties that have done this kind of thing over and over. I thought we were tired of Washington elites proselytizing to us. I thought we were pledging our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor for something different, not more of the same. Did something change?

My intent is not to dissuade anyone from voting for Mr. Coats. Your vote is your choice. My intent is, however, to encourage each to know the candidate before the vote is cast. Blind allegiance is one symptom of the disease of tyranny; the cure is an educated and independent electorate.