But Senator, it’s very simple: NO MORE SPENDING!

As the Tax Day Tea Party Rally, a nationwide day of rallies scheduled to descend on courthouse steps across the country on Friday, April 15th draws near, FYN sat down for an interview with Jack Smith, Director of Communications for the Gilmer County Tea Party. As Mr. Smith recently took a trip to the nation’s capital to discuss the ongoing state and federal budget battles with Georgia state legislators, he had a great deal to tell us about these issues and where his party stands on them.

FYN: You went to Washington D.C. recently to meet with representatives; who did you meet?

JS: We saw Senator Chambliss, his Chief of Staff Charlie Harmon, Senator Isakson’s Chief of Staff Chris Karr, Senator Tom Grave’s staff, and Tom Graves himself.

FYN: What was your impression of Senator Chambliss and Senator Isakson’s positions on the budget crisis? Do they see eye to eye on the issue?

JS: They felt basically the same. The situation right now is that Senator Chambliss is working with the “gang of six”: two other Republicans and three Democrats to offer some advice on changing the tax structure and attacking the debt situation.

But they felt the same – that we’re overspending. They know that. My message to Senator Chambliss, when we were discussing the challenges we’re facing, was very simple: I said “But Senator, it’s very simple: no more spending”.

FYN: Representative Graves’ recent media messages seem to indicate that he is a supporter of the Tea Party. What impression did you get when you met with him directly?

JS: Yes…I would say the Tea Party’s objectives are what he really supports: a smaller, constitutional government with less taxing and less spending. In the Tea Party, that’s what we stand for, and we have been very pleased with Congressman Graves’ voting and the stance that he takes. He’s right in line with what we stand for.

FYN: Do you personally feel the attitude in Washington was to attack the budget? How do you feel the Tea Party is treated in Washington?

JS: On the surface, they’re polite. I think the overall impression up there is that…we are a problem.

Up until the Tea Party movement got going, no one was really questioning what was going on in Washington. The American public was pretty much passive. We had trusted, and entrusted to the elected officials, the governing of the country. And then all of a sudden, it became very evident that what was going on in Washington was getting to the point where we as citizens could no longer afford it.

We’ve watched an elite class develop up there, that, when compared to the rest of America, is like another world. Even though they’re polite, they really don’t like us.

FYN: What is your impression of Speaker of the House Boehner’s recent budget deal? Does he have an overall plan…is this current deal a precursor to something better?

JS: I think that we were let down. Right away, I would tell you that if the mainstream media tells us he made a good deal, I would be very skeptical. The MSM has made it extremely difficult for constitutional conservatives to get the message out.

As we have learned, even in Gilmer County…there is such a small number of people that really understand…not only the issues, but all the things that go into resolving the issues. It’s not a simple thing.

Trying to get the American public informed on the broader issues is no easier than even trying to get citizens informed on a county level. On the state level, it’s the same thing. I don’t mean this derogatorily, but we have an ignorant, apathetic population…and they’re only apathetic because they’re ignorant. They’re not well enough informed on the issues to make a solid judgment.

We (Americans) find it very difficult for the leadership to tell us one thing and do another. Now, and prior to the Tea Party, Washington has dealt in erroneous figures and fictitious numbers.

Here’s an example (of how Washington distorts information): “Last year, we spend 100 dollars. This year, we plan on spending 110 dollars. After some negotiations, we decide to only spend 105 dollars…so we’ve saved you 50%”.

Budget cut claims should be based on actual dollars spent, not fictitious dollars.

FYN: As a member since its inception, do you feel the Tea Party has an interest in third-party candidates?

JS: I have no interest, and, to my knowledge, the Tea Party has no interest in a third party candidate. In order to be realistic about that, we have to understand that this country is set up for a two-party system. To have a third party would be extremely difficult…and I don’t think we have the time (to do a third party), anyway.

What we have is a challenge in America to get good, principled, virtuous, constitutionalists to run for public office. In the beginning, virtuous men are who founded this country. This government was established and set up for virtuous people.

As you lose those virtuous principles, you lose this representative republic that we have. We are not a democracy; people tend to not understand that. In fact, one of the things our founding fathers feared was democracy.

FYN: Let’s talk about the Tax Day Tea Party rally planned for this coming Friday at the First Baptist Church parking lot. Is there a parade planned?

JS: It’s not really a parade. The plan is to have a caravan of decorated vehicles that we will drive through areas where there are lots of people, encouraging them to attend the rally.

FYN: The rally will be at the courthouse at 12 Noon?

JS: That’s correct.

FYN: To wrap this up, can you tell us whether you feel the Tea Party is still energized at this point? Does it need to re-energize for the next election?

JS: I think the underlying feeling for the party is stronger. But I think the activity, the activism (on the part of its members) has waned since the election.

I think you’ll see it get stronger and build back again as we get closer to the 2012 election. As long as the issues remain the same – taxes, spending, constitutional government and free markets – you’ll always have the interest there was in the beginning.

From what I see, across the country, from places I’ve been and people I’ve talked to, there’s no less interest in what we’re doing. While we may only have 15-20 million visible people involved, I believe for every one of us there are six to ten people out there that feel the same way we do.

People are beginning to realize we’re in trouble.