The RIP Shirt success was an accident.I first just made the shirt for me and convinced a few other friends/family members to go in with me so we could get the best deal. I am still shocked by the response of the stir caused by that one shirt--and really, it's just a piece of cotton!
On July 4, 2009, my hometown was having a TEA party. I didn’t know anything about these “parties,” but I wanted to know what the fuss was all about. I really had no idea of what was going on in my country. After hearing the anger comes from the voices of those around me, I figured I should probably clue in and see what was happening. I dove into research mode. I’m an English major, so I was quite meticulous about it. For quite a while, and still now, I researched everything I could about the history of our nation and where we stand today. Needless to say, I was appalled. I read our Constitution, many times over (despite accusations that I’ve never looked upon it), and realized that our founding fathers wrote that document to ensure that our government’s power never grew to outweigh the people’s. Yes, the Constitution is a flexible document, brilliantly designed by the founding fathers, and it is written in such a way that it can adapt to the times—by constitutional amendments. We don’t see that anymore. While “we the people”, do hold the power to vote our representatives into office, we often find that they don’t follow through with their promises. They say one thing and do another, and when the time comes for them to be voted out, either the damage has been done or the ignorant masses just vote in a name they recognize again.
I felt that the government was smothering us, more than anything. All at one time, Healthcare and Cap and Trade were being crammed down our throats. These two bills have the capability to forever change the America we know and love. It’s not about Healthcare for everyone; it’s about a government running a monopoly as it reaches its suffocating hand around the throat of our economy without trying to increase competition in any other way. They jump to plan Z without attempting A-C even. I analyzed the other programs ran by our government and noticed they are now bankrupt. I couldn’t help but ask, “how can we trust those who cannot even run a rebate program (Cash for Clunkers) to run our health care—our very lives?”
RIP the US Constitution came to mind. Is it dead? No. It’s a hyperbole and somewhat fear of what could be. So while some ask “tell me how the Constitution is being threatened,” I feel they must first explain how it is not. Their explanation should consume less time. I included the quote of Ronald Reagan on the back to clarify where I felt the problem resided: “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem.”
Personally, I feel as if the Constitution has been trampled on by the bureaucrats in Washington. It is not something that has just occurred. It has been happening for far too long. I wonder how people can point out Bush’s destruction of the Constitution, yet turn a blind eye to actions of our current administration. Many Americans remaine fooled by the guise of humanitarianism, it seems.
Time and time again, I’ve said that I feel the power of the government is greater than that of the people, which completely undermines the purpose of our Constitution. Yet, people still claim I cannot explain my shirt. Well, to those I say, this is my opinion. I’ve used the freedom of speech that you delicately embrace when that power belongs to you, yet call it anything but a freedom when someone who disagrees with you uses it. I have thousands of Americans who “get” this message. For those that don’t, I have good news. You don’t have to wear this shirt.
Created by: Fusion Creative Marketing
