The Tea Party, Victorious In Battle...

237 years ago last night, the Boston Tea Party erupted, a culmination of a resistance movement against the onerous taxation of the colonists by the British Crown. And as one of the earliest occasions of direct action against the Empire, it may have truly been the first shot of the American Revolution

And on its anniversary, their spiritual descendants rose again against a government that was suffocating them with taxation and regulation. Having voting out many of the offenders, the 21st century Tea Party's ominous stare was enough to make the foes of liberty quiver, and fail:

A massive bipartisan tax package preventing a big New Year's Day tax hike for millions of Americans is on its way to President Barack Obama for his signature.

In a remarkable show of bipartisanship, the House gave final approval to the measure just before midnight Thursday, overcoming an attempt by rebellious Democrats who wanted to impose a higher estate tax than the one Obama agreed to.

In a rare reach across party lines, Obama negotiated the $858 billion package with Senate Republicans.

"Rare", "Remarkable"....what made it so? Perhaps the pitchforks and torches encircling the Capitol?

While Obama was lucky enough to be able to retreat, Harry Reid amid the Senate Democrats were forced into unconditional surrender as their $1.3 trillion dollar spending bill - a battering ram to force the populace into slavery - was splintered:

Speaking on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) says he is “sorry and disappointed” to announce that he does not have the votes for the omnibus spending package.

John McCain, American hero:

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz) on the death of the omnibus: “I know this is a seminal moment, because for the first time since I’ve been here, we stood up and said ‘enough.’”

Again - was it the glow of the torches held aloft by the Tea Party that finally stiffened the spine of the Senate?

The Tea Party has drawn the blood of it's enemies, and they are being forced into retreat, leaving their discredited weapons and rhetoric on the ground as they flee, like an army of bullies and thugs torn asunder by their first contact with an organized, determined resistance.

The Tea Party Army must continue to move forward - early victories in battle do not presage triumph in the war.

Somewhere, our forefathers are high-fiving (or the 18th century equivalent), and toasting the New American Revolution with some frosty home-brewed ale...