Some people may have chuckled when they heard that the Tea Party is coming to Lawrence County but allowing citizens to feel as if their votes truly can make a difference is no laughing matter at all.

Unfortunately, many Americans feel that the status quo of the current political party system isn’t working for them.

So, with that in mind, members of the Meigs County Chapter of the Tea Party visited Tuesday to help organize a local branch. This is a positive for citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

Even if an individual does not agree with the specific principles of the Tea Party the fact that our nation is starting to consider the concept that we can be more than a two-party system is encouraging.

There is a place for the Tea Party here. As there is for the Green Party and the Libertarian Party and any others.

At its core, what is a political party? It is nothing more than a group of individuals sharing similar ideals who have joined together for common cause.

That is exactly how our nation was founded.

The growth and interest in alternative political party options may be the first step for Americans to just start thinking of themselves as individuals with varying ideas instead of cookie-cutter members of any organization.

If the Tea Party can help facilitate more people being engaged in the election system, we will certainly raise our cups to that.