This is the most fascinating election season I have encountered since the first time I voted in 1977 and that is saying a lot!

Many of you reading this did not live through the malaise of the Carter years. We had double-digit inflation, gas lines, double-digit interest rates and the introduction of the “misery index.” The misery index was created to measure the pain and misery being endured by the people of the United States. The only thing the Carter administration could suggest was to set your home temperature to 60 degrees and wear a sweater. Sound familiar?We should check the inflation of our tires to save gas…where did we hear that recently? But I digress.

Back then, in the 1970s, we had a larger-than-life individual step forward that had incredible optimism and a common sense message that resonated with the American public: His name was Ronald Reagan. It is my hope that another Reagan will step forward, but today we have politicians saying anything to get elected and not showing a whole lot of core values.

So the question posed to the Political Animals this month is: “what is driving the mood of the American public”? How will we deal with a bunch of politicians who think they are the answer?

The fact is there are very few politicians that are the solution, because the majority are only exacerbating the problem. The most prevalent issues are the erosion of personal freedoms, the destruction of the Constitution by the progressives and the destruction of the free market system. So, it is no wonder we have such uneasiness with the electorate. They are dismantling the American Dream! Maybe that is why the Tea Party has been thrust into the spotlight. The Conservatives are heralding the movement, while the progressives are trying to paint them as fringe. So onto the task at hand to begin my research for this month’s article.

Climbing back into my man cave I first check out my e-mail and Facebook. I see some messages that are popping up in my alert window. I notice this one subject line and panic comes over me. Oh my, an invitation to a Tea Party function here in Maine!

Knowing only what I have heard on CNN, CNBC and PMSNBC —  which have described Tea Party functions and those who attend them as the radical right, bigots, promoting any phobia out there — both fear and curiosity enter into my mind. Curiosity is just killing me to check things out for myself.

As I ponder the idea of attending, several questions cross my mind:  What to wear? Should I disguise myself? Should I wear something to hide my face (like the anarchists)? Should I make sure my will is up to date? An awful lot to think about before I take the plunge! What the heck, I’m going!

As I arrive in the parking lot my heart begins to race. I expect to see and hear hateful things when I step out of my car, but all I see is happy people and bumper stickers advocating frightful things such as the Constitution, charter schools, school choice and —  oh my — a bumper sticker promoting religion. Strange that I did not see any signs or bumper stickers containing bigoted statements, hate speech against the Obamas or any inappropriate bumper stickers,  period. 

Well I just don’t know what to think at this point, so I proceed cautiously and enter the building. Somebody sees me enter and comes toward me, offering what appears to be a handshake gesture, so I oblige and shake hands. It is amazing that they, and everyone else in the room, appear to be happy, very polite and normal? Could it be that the lame stream media has mischaracterized the Tea Party folks? But, looks may be deceiving,  so I need to hear them speak before making my final judgment.

Looking around the room, I see people from all walks of life. There are seniors, middle-aged folks (like me), young couples and even younger people milling about. It appears that many of them are holding a copy of a small book that holds the words of the Constitution. Maybe I did pass into the “twilight zone” when I walked through the doors. I dare say that these people resemble many friends and neighbors I interact with on a daily basis! Take it a step further and they resemble me.

All right, what’s the catch? They will show their true colors during the speaking portion of the meeting. I settle into a seat at the back of the room, that way I can make a quick escape when the hate speech begins.

The speaker steps to the microphone and asks everyone to rise; (here we go) to begin the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. The hate and stuff has to be next, right? Only smiles, courteous introductions, talk of the Constitution, family-friendly dialogue and genuine patriotism fill the room. Maybe I have passed into a “twilight zone”, but one that reflects my values and principles!

These people are not the “fringe”, but they are the mainstream Americans that want the country to return to the days when government was there to protect us from foreign and domestic enemies. A government that fostered rugged individualism, risk takers (entrepreneurs) and a free market system where you could be who you want to be and make as much money as you wanted.

These folks are parents like me that want their children to be better educated, have more opportunity to succeed without government intervention and interference.

The next myth is that the Tea Party is a wing of the Republican Party. I’ll bet the media got this one right. Guess what? They are dead wrong on that point as well! There are Republicans, Democrats, Greens and Independents in the room  and agreeing with each other. I am blown away that people of different political persuasions actually agree on many issues that the parties accuse each other of partisanship. So what is the catch?

As people speak, I realize one thing: Everyone in the room agrees that the politicians are injecting themselves into every aspect of our lives. How can a prolifer, like me, agree with a prochoicer? The issue on which we agree is that the government is trying to tell both of us what we can or cannot do with our bodies. The attendees speak about education, healthcare, welfare, economy, deficit spending and other issues, with all of which I am in agreement.

The overriding theme is the erosion of our freedoms by the politicians who think we need to be saved from ourselves. The great President Reagan said it best: “Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” . The folks at this monthly Tea Party meeting understand the Constitution was intended to “protect the people against an overbearing, tyrannical government.”

The Founding Fathers also state in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” In other words, the people hold the power and not the politicians. We give them their power, not the other way around.

As my Mom used to tell me and my brothers and sister, “I brought you into this world, I can take you out”! The same holds true with the elected officials; we elected them, we can vote them out.

My suggestion is to research all candidates and make an informed decision, not just based on what you “heard” from a neighbor or someone in the office. Just make your voice heard and act on the rights many have fought and died to protect the freedoms granted for us to enjoy.

I would also suggest you check out the Tea Party groups: Cumberland County Tea Party, Maine Refounders, York County Constitutionalists, etc. by attending one of their meetings. You can check out their events calendar at: www.cumberlandcountyteapartyofmaine.ning.com , which has links to all the other groups in Maine.

Oh, by the way, those of you that think this movement will die after the elections…don’t hold your breath! These folks are great Americans and understand that restoring of the Constitution and values we hold dear to us will take years to rebuild. The Progressives have taken years to incrementally take our freedoms and the attempt to dismantle the Constitution, so we understand it will take years to repair the damage! I can predict if you get involved, you will get hooked just as all these mainstream patriotic American’s have.

Now on to the prognostication of the election results. It is no surprise to many that I predict the following outcomes: Congress, Jason Levesque and governor, Paul Lepage. In the legislature, I am predicting the Senate Republicans will win the majority and end up with a minimum of 19 seats. The House Republicans will gain 16 to 17 seats giving them a total of 71-72 seats.

Those are my thoughts, let me hear yours.

Scott Lansley and his family reside in Sabattus and is a former legislator and current Sabattus selectman.