Calvin Collins

I was raised in a very apolitical household; however my family valued three important things: God, family and country.  Although my parents did not know the difference between Democrat and Republican they taught me what it means to be an American and live in the most blessed country in the world.  

Inspired and motivated by the post 9-11 political scene, I got involved with the California College Republicans and interned for Col. Oliver North’s Freedom Alliance.  In 2005, I was asked by my friend and California state legislator, Howard Kaloogian, if I would head up his run for the United States Congress.  As campaign manager for Howard Kaloogian, I discovered how powerfully grassroots movements can have an impact on national politics.  I continued to devote myself to this concept while working with Move America Forward, the largest grassroots, pro-troop organization in the US.   In 2008, I worked with Our Country Deserves Better PAC on a national tour in support of the McCain/Palin ticket.     

I continue to champion conservative values by dedicating my time traversing the country on the Tea Party Express.  It’s been no surprise to me that most folks who attend tea party rallies are just like my parents—most never having attended a political rally in their lives.  I feel that this new awakening inspired by the Tea Party movement is something we must continue to support because it represents the real “hope” and “change” this country needs.  Being a part of this momentous and historic movement has been a defining chapter in my life.  I look forward to the day when I can tell my grandkids about how we started out as a small ragtag band of patriots, but quickly blossomed into a movement that would secure freedom for future generations and change American history forever—just like our Founding Fathers did.