This is more than a struggle over federal spending. The American people understand we're fighting over how much of our families' salaries they're going to spend. Government spending comes from somewhere and that somewhere is your pocket.
The American people want substance -- meaningful cuts -- not self-serving symbolism that Congress throws at the American people when patting themselves on the back.
The cuts proposed by Senate Leadership will not pull the country back from the fiscal disaster that is inevitable on our current course. Our bottom line is an agreement that puts America on a sustainable path that will preserve the country's fiscal soundness.
We're calling on Congress to lower spending by $100 billion. Some have called that draconian. Some have called that extreme. To put it in perspective, we're calling for a cut of 2.6 cents out of every dollar of spending!
The main problem -- we believe this is debate over America's future - not someone's political future. The American people are crying out for leaders with the courage to lead not posture.
Senator Charles Schumer is busy telling anyone who will listen that Republicans should quit listening to the tea party and just do what the Democrats tell them to do. Other Senators, anxious to curry Schumer's favor, are dutifully reciting his talking points. Blaming the tea party for the budget impasse is Washington's political game of the week. We get it -- blame everyone but yourself.
Mr. Schumer, Harry Reid and the entire Congress didn't even pass a budget last year. Is it too much ask the Representatives we elect to do their jobs?
Senator Schumer is blaming you the American people. That's right - the tea party is the American people. The results of last November's elections are clear; the American people support the tea party ideal of fiscal responsibility.
Rather than telling everyone what to say, perhaps he should be asking why the tea party is having so much success.
Mr. Schumer, the American people know Y'all haven't passed a budget since 2009. That's a lot of time to get it right.
If the government does shut down, we know it's the result of Mr. Obama and Reid's failure to lead.
Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots coalition with more than 3,000 locally organized chapters and more than 15 million supporters nationwide. Tea Party Patriots is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets. Visit Tea Party Patriots online at www.TeaPartyPatriots.org.