Richmond Tea Party » Education

Americans for Prosperity: Restoring American Exceptionalism

Aha — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:21:14 +0000

From Americans for Prosperity: Dear Virginian: Today, our college graduates face the highest unemployment rates in history. American 15-year-olds rank 35th out of 57 industrialized countries in math and literacy. Americans shouldn’t rank 35th in anything! Join Americans for Prosperity Foundation, State Senator Steve Martin, Christian Braunlich from the Thomas Jefferson Institute, and Victoria Cobb from the Virginia Family Foundation for:

Town Hall to “Restore American Exceptionalism”

With Simulcast appearances by Fox News contributor Juan Williams and nationally-syndicated radio host Michael Medved!

7:00 PM

Monday, January 23

Southside Church of the Nazarene (6851 Courthouse Road) in Chesterfield

Reserve your free tickets ! here Let’s work together to support the future workforce of America. Don’t miss the chance to hear from our great speakers! GENERAL ADMISSION IS FREE – BUT you must reserve your free tickets here! Restoring American Exceptionalism is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It’s an American issue – our future depends on it! I hope to see you there. Sincerely, Audrey Jackson Virginia State Director Americans for Prosperity Foundation www.putkidsfirst.com

Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFPF educates and engages citizens to support restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFPF is more than 1.8 million activists strong, with activists in all 50 states. AFPF has 34 state chapters and affiliates. More than 90,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial contribution to AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.americansforprosperityfoundation.com

After the Elections, What’s Next?

Aha — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:56:34 +0000

After the Elections, What’s Next?

Tea Party folks across the Greater Richmond area helped get numerous folks elected to the General Assembly in areas as close as Goochland and as far away as Tazewell County (in the deep southwest corner of Virginia). What’s different about Tea Partiers is that we don’t just elect folks; we also hold them accountable. And one of the best ways to do so is engage the legislators when they come to Richmond each January. If you are interested in knowing how to lobby your legislators, then attending this training is for you. It is open to everyone and requires no previous experience. For planning purposes, please RSVP for each training to Julie Serfass @ julies@richmondteaparty.com.

Citizen Lobbyist Training Schedule

Thur., 8 Dec., 7-9 pm

- On-line walk through of the GA Web site: http://lis.virginia.gov

- Everyone does this from their homes

Sat., 10 Dec., 10:30 am-3 pm

- Four-hr trng w lunch – this would be the bulk of the trng - Bring $10 for lunch - Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Rd, Richmond, VA 23235

Tue., 3 Jan., 8-10 pm

- On-line walk through of the GA Web site: http://lis.virginia.gov - Everyone does this from their homes - A repeat of the 8 Dec. trng

Govt Student Loan Debt: The next hit to your wallet?

EricM — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:24:27 +0000

With the government annointing itself the sole provider of student loans, and with the cost of tuition continuing to skyrocket, will this mean that the taxpayer will soon be stuck with mountains of bad student loan debt? Watch this video for an eye-opening discussion on the cost/benefit analysis of a college education, and how nearly insurmountable that debt really is.
Grab some popcorn…this is a long one, but worth it.

Engaging in peaceful debates – teaching others

roncappelli — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:51:11 +0000

When we think of the word “debate” we often visualize two or more people arguing with one another, with each side trying to convince the other of who is right and who is wrong. However, rarely does such a debate convince anyone to change their mind. During formal debates the arguments can be stated in a civil way, but informal debates often turn into shouting matches with both sides screaming and throwing invectives at one another. The purpose of the Tea Party movement isn’t to have a debating society. What we want is to convince our lawmakers to vote the way we want them to, but to do that, we have to persuade them to see things our way. In some cases that will require changing people’s minds, but that doesn’t happen by yelling at them or engaging in name-calling. It’s done through the use of facts and well-reasoned logic. When a lawmaker doesn’t vote as we want, then we have the opportunity to help elect someone else who will. However, for that to happen, we have to convince enough voters to agree with our position therefore our goal is to educate, not agitate. To accomplish this we must not only know what it is we believe, but be able to clearly explain it to others. The media and many politicians have mischaracterized our position, either through ignorance or by design, so it is up to us to make our own case before the public. The other side is actively engaged in an all-out attempt to sway public opinion to their way of thinking. To defeat their efforts we must be equally engaged in swaying public opinion to our position. Some of the arguments used against us are based purely on emotion, but sometimes their logic can sound reasonable and appealing, especially to those who are not familiar with the principles of liberty. That is why we must become educated ourselves on these principles and then actively reach out to others to effectively educate them. It is only when a majority of Americans agree with our principles that we can then elect the kind of people who truly represent our views.

Virtue and Accountability – Is virtue old fashioned?

roncappelli — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:46:28 +0000

In today’s climate, people are afraid to talk about virtue because it makes them sound as though they are some sort of religious zealot. Thus, virtue is viewed as a quaint, old fashioned notion of a by-gone era that has no real meaning in today’s sophisticated, more highly mature culture. But virtue is just another word for integrity, which is another way of describing honesty. So what we are talking about when we speak of virtue is being honest. Of course, requiring honesty from a politician can sometimes be like showing a cross to a vampire – they run in fear of it. To get elected, all politicians must tell their constituents what they want to hear. Although that can easily be done if what the politician truly and sincerely believes is what the people he speaks to also truly and sincerely believe. But, with so many people having so many different ideas, most politicians say what they think they must to get the votes they need in order to win. And then, when they take office, they tell themselves that everyone knows they can’t keep the promises they made during the campaign so they don’t. Either that or they make excuses for why they just can’t seem to deliver on their promises. But, a person with integrity is more than just honest. They are someone who can be trusted at all times, in all places, and with all responsibility. They are someone whose word is their bond and whose handshake is as good as any legal contract. They are someone whom you could trust with your life. On the other hand, a person with little or no integrity can’t be trusted anytime, anyplace, or with any responsibility. Their word means nothing and they shake hands with their fingers crossed. They are someone who will smile at your face and then stab you in the back. Since when did honesty and trustworthiness go out of style? If it ever does there is nothing that can save us from destroying ourselves. That’s why the Tea Party expects virtue from those whom they elect to represent us.

You are invited: The Beacon Hill Society’s conference “True Impact”

LibertyJon — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:19:15 +0000

When: Friday, Jan 7, 2011, 12:30-5:00pm Where: the James Monroe Building, Richmond Register: www.thebeaconhillsociety.com by Jan 3 See our fb page! Come learn more about these timely issues:

Our true impact upon the environment and environmental policy with experts from the Heritage Foundation.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will address current state battles on environmental policy and healthcare legislation.
Karin Agness, founder of Network of Enlightened Women, on founding the conservative women’s college campus group, and impacting those in your sphere of influence.
Kathy White will address the power of worldview and help us to understand the mindset behind movies, music, education, legislative policy, etc.
Finally, local college students will share about their internships on a gubernatorial campaign, conservative research center, and the Glenn Beck program.

Click here for the event flyer. Questions? thebeaconhillsociety@gmail.com

Henrico Country Library gets it right

Standinginthagap — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:42:00 +0000

Last night I had the privilege of attending the opening of the newly renovated Henrico County Library located north of Parham on Staples Mill Road. I was shocked and you would be too when you walk into the lavish 9 million dollar, 25,000 foot learning palace. Board Supervisor, Dick Glover, the brainchild of this beauty has been a champion in leading this Library to be a place of excellence. I like Barnes & Noble, but this public library is one step above all else. It has 40 computers, large meeting rooms, 2 study rooms, 1 quiet reading room, a larger children’s area with dedicated story time and craft rooms, a large teen area, a fireplace, and a courtyard. It also comes with conference rooms. Mr. Glover and the county of Henrico did something else, though, that surprised me. They have a huge section called the Founding Fathers Collection. It has all kinds of materials on the Founding Fathers’ writings, including books, large volumes of CDs and DVDs to educate the public on what the Fathers’ thoughts were when they drafted the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and other documents that formed our nation. They even have a large wall with the Founding Fathers signing the Constitution. I was so taken aback they had to put me out the library. The even have this little thing like an MP3 that you can check out that has the full autobiographies of such people like Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and others. It is no less than a smorgasbord of information on the Founders and the creation of our now America. As an African American, I never much looked at this part of our history because it was considered a white man’s history. But since I began to read the works of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others, I was fascinated with these legends of history. Jamie Radtke (President of the Richmond Tea Party) once quoted Thomas Paine and spoke of him in her talks. I wanted to find out who this guy was that she was so passionate about. I had an opportunity to read some of his writings and said to myself, “Wow!” I began to see that these men were geniuses and scholars at designing such a nation as ours from scratch. I bet you didn’t know that Ben Franklin cared little or none about slaves when he was young. When he was middle age he owned a few slaves, but as he got older a trip to England changed his mind. When he found that slavery was wrong, he freed his slaves and worked to set others free. I never learned that is school! I don’t think many of my black friends know this either. That told me something about the person of Ben Franklin. Now I have an appreciation for who he is as a Founding Father of this nation. And I know that my defense in the cause of liberty has to go back to the original intent. We cannot defend core values if we have no idea of what those core values are. This new library provides a place where we can readily get the information and make our arguments based on original intent. Studying our Founders’ words and lives gives me the fuel to push all the stumbling blocks out the way. For those of us in the battle for freedom, do we know everything in those documents that give us that freedom? If we did, we would be on even more fire to fight for our country. Short of that, though, how can we hope to change the mindset of others? We have no grasp of how far we have drifted if we don’t fully comprehend where we started. If you cannot make it to this library I hope that you will find this critical information elsewhere to persuade others to come back to the core principles that you and I value so much.

Register Now! The Beacon Hill summer symposium “Herein We Stand”

Jamie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:25:45 +0000

Presents “Herein We Stand” a symposium for teens and adults at the Virginia State Capitol, Friday, July 30!

Are you tired of all the talk of ‘politics’? Are you allergic to politics or are you virtually a politico? Confused about all that is happening in the federal government? Are YOU worried about what the country will look like when you are older or not sure what all the fuss is about?

Join us for a symposium on Friday, July 30, 2010, 10am-5pm at the Virginia State Capitol! Becky Norton Dunlop, VP of External Relations of the Heritage Foundation, will be sharing with us from her years of experience both inside and outside DC! We’ve also invited Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is currently making headlines for his fight against the Constitutionality of the Federal Governments recent healthcare legislation. Come hear Aaron Watson of TeenPact Leadership Schools from here in Richmond!

We’ll cover topics such as Christianity and politics, the American Founders, the Constitution, the environment, worldview, and more! Take your questions one step further during a peer discussion during the forum, comprised of high school and college age students. There is something for everyone, including an art/poetry/essay contest! Parents are invited and encouraged to join us!

Questions? Thebeaconhillsociety@gmail.com Julianne Condrey (804)883-6482

Reminder: College Course on Conservative Philosophy This Summer

LibertyJon — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:36:12 +0000

Don’t forget that the continuing education school at the University of Richmond is offering a college course on conservative philosophy this summer. Here’s all the relevant information: This course at the University of Richmond may well be the only college-accredited course on Conservative Philosophy in Virginia. The course is for adults, students, college graduates–anyone, really. It is called “Modern Conservative Political Philosophy” and is a multimedia Political Science course held in a computer lab on the University of Richmond campus in the “night” school. The class will feature Reagan speeches, class discussions, and various class activities in addition to the lectures. The course will include such topics as the difference between Modern Conservative and Liberal thought (and how the two philosophies began); Economic Conservatism; the various types of Conservatism; and translating the principles into public policies. No term paper will be required for this class. It is easy to sign up. All someone has to do is: 1). Fill out a form for Summer School. 2). Register for the class. The information can be found on the Summer School class schedule–and scrolling down to the Political Science section. You will see the course number and name: PLSC 398U-01 ST: Modern Conservative Political Philosophy. The summer semester is six weeks long, and the class will be held from June 22-July 29 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. People should register as soon as possible but can register “late” through June 22. Students earn 3 credits from the University of Richmond for the course. The tuition is the Summer School rate. It may be a good idea for people interested in the class to contact the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies and/or the Office of Summer Studies for more information or to walk them through the process: Phone: (804) 289-8133 Fax: (804) 289-8138 Email: summer@richmond.edu Or go in person to: The Special Programs Building University of Richmond, VA 23173 Click here for a map. People over the age of 50 may be able to take the course at a discounted rate by joining the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Click on the UR site on Osher for more information.

Open to Everyone: College Course on Conservative Philosophy–This Summer

LibertyJon — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:46:22 +0000

We want to inform our readers about a class that is being taught in the continuing education school at the University of Richmond. This is quite a pleasant, surprising find and RTP wants to support this type of curriculum since it is so rare to find! Information on the University of Richmond Summer School Course: This course at the University of Richmond may well be the only college-accredited course on Conservative Philosophy in Virginia. The course is for adults, students, college graduates–anyone, really. It is called “Modern Conservative Political Philosophy” and is a multimedia Political Science course held in a computer lab on the University of Richmond campus in the “night” school. The class will feature Reagan speeches, class discussions, and various class activities in addition to the lectures. The course will include such topics as the difference between Modern Conservative and Liberal thought (and how the two philosophies began); Economic Conservatism; the various types of Conservatism; and translating the principles into public policies. No term paper will be required for this class. It is easy to sign up. All someone has to do is: 1). Fill out a form for Summer School. 2). Register for the class. The information can be found on the Summer School class schedule–and scrolling down to the Political Science section. You will see the course number and name: PLSC 398U-01 ST: Modern Conservative Political Philosophy. The summer semester is six weeks long, and the class will be held from June 22-July 29 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. People should register as soon as possible but can register “late” through June 22. Students earn 3 credits from the University of Richmond for the course. The tuition is the Summer School rate. It may be a good idea for people interested in the class to contact the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies and/or the Office of Summer Studies for more information or to walk them through the process: Phone: (804) 289-8133 Fax: (804) 289-8138 Email: summer@richmond.edu Or go in person to: the Special Programs Building University of Richmond, VA 23173 Click here for a map. People over the age of 50 may be able to take the course at a discounted rate by joining the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Click on the UR site on Osher for more information.