A nugget of political wisdom holds that the world is run by those who show up.

And whether you share their views or think they're blinded by anger at the Obama administration, it's obvious to anyone who can count noses that the conservative tea partiers are showing up — in large numbers.

They show up at City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings. They show up at rallies against Forest Service decisions. They show up for candidate nights — indeed, the Redding Tea Party Patriots are holding more debates and forums this spring than the League of Women Voters.

And they show up for "tax day" rallies, including at least two planned for today in Redding.

It was at last year's April 15 protests that a crowd around the Sundial Bridge showed the potential of the movement locally.
there is little argument that this president is running up enormous deficits and taking some big gambles along the way — and the tea partiers aren't the only Americans rightfully concerned about where those decisions will lead.

Whatever their concerns, citizens who get off the couch and educate themselves about politics make our democracy richer and our nation stronger. A little overcaffeinated tea-partying beats apathy any day.