“In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”

The beginnings of change as occurred in Boston is a tax revolt. "It's imperative the American people understand the bond of personal, political and economic freedom is indissoluble. Personal and political freedom is impossible without economic freedom." William Simon

We fight for freedom and independence for ALL -- even those who would prefer to be privileged servants of the powerful. We must free our enemies, too, from their dependence -- hence there is war, for those that wish to get something for nothing will have to either subdue those upon whom they wish to yoke, or defend themselves from those who will not be yoked. Thus once freed from their own hypocrisy and ignorance they may feel patriotism for independence and self-reliance. I'm OK with that. Waffler can be free, too, even if he is a damn fool. ;-)

The revolt at Boston was not a "tax revolt" it was a "lack of representation revolt". The people did not have a voice in their own governance. Pure "economic" freedom, in which individuals have no part with each other in the ownership of common things has probably never existed in the history of man. As far as the quote I give it a 5. The patriots now are Koffee Klatchers, real people telling truth about our national debt problems and accounts not the air heads in the Tea Party.

Archer, I like it. "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly" it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain (now, the foreign despot / the statist theocracy infesting this land that claims inherent right), with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" (license, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity, the Patriot Act, etc., etc., etc.) and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God." (Thomas Paine)

The closest thing we have to an organization of patriots is the new Tea Party whose very name is significant of (peaceful) revolt against a regime of communist tyrants hell bent on destroying everything that is America. Nullification and Impeachment are the next steps to restoring the Republic.

Waffler had some points but they are negated by his referrance to Tea Party "air heads". I suspect that the early patriots in the American Revolution would have been called "air heads" if this description had been known. Waff, to see an airhead, just look in a mirror.

A true patriot is one who fly's the banner of peace and truth and always questions authority.

The Tea Parties are falling apart because the really have no cause celebre, raison d'etre. They came into existence the summer after Obama's election and the Democrat landslide in Congress. They are just reactionaires to that event.

Waffler they are reactionaries to communism, which is what we now have. And what the next landslide will be rallying against.

It is a courageous challenge to initiate change.