Our Founding
The Mother Lode Tea Party was founded on April 14, 2010 when Austin Ford and "Uncle" Jack Vining convened a meeting of about 30 concerned citizens to discuss the possibility of a local Tea Party group. The decision of the group was an emphatic YES! Those present then chose a name, appointed key members and planning for our first General Meeting on May 5, 2010 began.
- Founders End of Year Message
About Us
The Mother Lode Tea Party is organized as a Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation under the laws of the State of California. Federal Tax status under section 501(c3) is pending.
We are people from all walks of life with every level of education and every skill set. We do not embrace, nor do we distinguish between any political party, religion or ethnicity.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to honor the Constitution of the United States as intended by the Founding Fathers
We respect each other and every individual’s right to be heard without interruption.
Our Leaders are Facilitators only. They do not govern.
We are self supporting through our own contributions and donations.
Mission
The Motherlode Tea Party is a gathering of Mother Lode Gold Country residents of Amador and surrounding counties who, out of a common love for our country and a grave concern about the direction of our present government, strives to reestablish and maintain the values of our Founding Fathers.
Our goal is to join with like-minded Patriots to demand accountability from our elected officials – local, State and Federal, and to bring our government back into compliance with the principles under which our Country was founded.
Our Beliefs – What we Advocate
Limited Government
The U.S. Constitution established a limited government. Limited government is incompatible with unlimited taxing, spending, and deficits.Individual Rights
The Bill of Rights should be interpreted as it was written. For example: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." " ... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."Capitalism
The only economic system compatible with individual liberty is one based on private property. Capitalism has always been, and should continue to be, the economic system of the United States. Socialism, in any form and to any degree, means tyranny. The federal government has no business owning, running, or controlling, any business in the United States.American Exceptionalism
No nation in the history of the world has secured the rights of the individual as the United States has, and no nation has set more people free around the world than the United States has. We have everything to be proud of, and nothing to apologize for.Private Property
The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that "No person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The Mother Lode Tea Party