The Boston Tea Party happened on December 16, 1773. The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783. It took our forefathers almost ten years to free themselves of British rule. To the patriots of today, who call themselves the Tea Party, don't be disappointed by the small gains you've made during the debt limit fight. You won an important battle in the continuing mission to free America from the tyranny of big government.

The mid-term elections of 2010 were the first major victory. Ousting Nancy Pelosi from her position as Speaker of the House was the first step forward in the long journey ahead. John Boehner as Speaker is no picnic; he has been part of the problem for a long time. But Boehner has to contend with solid conservatives and Tea Party freshman within the GOP that will not let him be a "yes" man for President Obama. Without the Tea Party influence, we would not even have had a national conversation. The old guard would have raised the debt limit with no conditions - end of story. Because of the Tea Party, no longer will accountability be a word only used during campaigns and never practiced. Thank you Tea Party!

The debt ceiling debate was just another win in the long battle ahead. Was it decisive? No. Did it let the world know we are a force to be reckoned with? Yes. Just as Lexington and Concord were not huge battles, it put the world on notice of our commitment. The political establishment in our great nation knows there is a new sheriff in town and he/she displays a Gadsden flag as a badge.

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you're not happy with the outcome of the debt limit ceiling vote. We shouldn't be. There is so much more to do. But we must also remember that we sent a message.

FDR was elected in 1932. That is 79 years of a left-leaning government- growing agenda in America with only a few short breaks. Rick Santelli's rant from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange happened on February 19, 2009. I believe we will be able to declare victory in this battle for fiscal sanity in the fall of 2019. Until then, never give up!

John Tsarpalas is the former Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party and President of the Sam Adams Alliance. He currently serves as the principal of Tsarpolitics, a candidate and campaign coaching organization. Learn more at www.tsarpolitics.com.