Jim Stillman
Nevar
Tea Party goers are a mixed bag.
April 27th 2010 23:22
The Tea Party folks have our attention. Now what?
One of the more prolific writers on Orble, S.L. Braddish, has posted comments relating to a Tea Party:
Ms Braddish wonders, and then gives her opinion, why rational and sane people have lost interest in the Tea Party movement. I have my own opinion.
There is a tale about a dog that, every day, chased a bus. The poor animal tried over and over to catch the vehicle but, each day, the noisy object of the pooch's desire escaped. One day, however, the bus made an extra stop and the dog caught the rear bumper, finally victorious. And the dog learned that he had a new and more serious problem: what was he going to do next? What was he going to do with the darn bus?
The Tea Party movement is made up of different groups. There are the crazies, those with anti-Obama obsession and hatred who carry misspelled signs accusing the president of being the same as Hitler, a foreign born pretender to the throne, determined to cause the destruction of America and the slaughter of the elderly and disabled children. These nutty souls live and will continue to live with their paranoia; nothing can be done to introduce reality to these folks. One of my personal favorite nut jobs cannot even say or write the president's name, never mind his birthplace! She calls him "Barry Soetoro" the name of his stepfather.
Another group within the Tea Party umbrella is that led by Richard Viguerie and Dick Armey. This team has been attempting to use the Tea Parties as a device to purify the Republican Party. Mr. Viguerie, for example, has spent much of the past decade arguing that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were too liberal. He and Mr. Armey now declare that the days of even the most minimal moderation are now over in the Republican Party. These extremist views are now on full display in Florida where Governor Crist is being drummed out of the Party.
What Messrs Viguerie and Armey wish for should be welcomed by Democrats but is not in the best interests of the nation. The country needs strong and vibrant opposing political parties. The nation as a whole is in the ideological center of Right and Left, most people feeling most comfortable in that neighborhood. "Purification" of the GOP forces a candidate to cater to the Far Right fringe to win a primary where chances for election in a general election are slim.
But, as I have written in the past, the Tea Party movement is comprised of many rational and frightened people. They are worried about what they perceive as overpowering national government, oppressive taxation, a society that has lost its moral compass and a general distrust of politicians of both parties. The websites of the Tea Parties are filled with the things the members are against: high taxes, an oppressive federal government, socialism, Obama, failing educational systems, in short, a plethora of grievances. So they want to elect representatives who will fix everything.
And now we're back to the dog that has the bus in his grasp. What the Hell will he do with it?
The Tea Party movement is the successor to the Ross Perot movement, people dissatisfied with politicians of both parties, sick of partisan squabbling. And the problem these folks have is that they have no coherent positive message. They are against "oppressive taxes", "socialism", Barack Obama; but exactly what do they want? Get rid of all socialism, all government entitlement programs? Certainly not to the extent of getting rid of Social Security or Medicare or VA hospitals or benefits. Get rid of oppressive taxes? One may have the right to his or her opinions but not of facts! In fact, middle class taxes are the lowest in over 50 years. Cut local budgets? Sure but then how do you support an adequate police force, a fire and rescue department? What other local services will be cut?
Really Long Link
When a politician becomes an office holder, it is to be hoped that it is with the intent of using that position for the public good and not to justify a future election. If he or she is honest, they soon learn the difference between campaigning and holding an office. Slogans won't cut it. The Partiers have to decide what to do with their recognition. Right now they have the bus in their teeth with no plan on what to do next.
Woof.
One of the more prolific writers on Orble, S.L. Braddish, has posted comments relating to a Tea Party:
“Last year, when I first moved to this area, I threw a Tea Party. Attendance was pretty dismal, and even the local newspaper didn't understand what the Tea party was about. Things have not improved much, as far as I can tell.”
Ms Braddish wonders, and then gives her opinion, why rational and sane people have lost interest in the Tea Party movement. I have my own opinion.
There is a tale about a dog that, every day, chased a bus. The poor animal tried over and over to catch the vehicle but, each day, the noisy object of the pooch's desire escaped. One day, however, the bus made an extra stop and the dog caught the rear bumper, finally victorious. And the dog learned that he had a new and more serious problem: what was he going to do next? What was he going to do with the darn bus?
The Tea Party movement is made up of different groups. There are the crazies, those with anti-Obama obsession and hatred who carry misspelled signs accusing the president of being the same as Hitler, a foreign born pretender to the throne, determined to cause the destruction of America and the slaughter of the elderly and disabled children. These nutty souls live and will continue to live with their paranoia; nothing can be done to introduce reality to these folks. One of my personal favorite nut jobs cannot even say or write the president's name, never mind his birthplace! She calls him "Barry Soetoro" the name of his stepfather.
Another group within the Tea Party umbrella is that led by Richard Viguerie and Dick Armey. This team has been attempting to use the Tea Parties as a device to purify the Republican Party. Mr. Viguerie, for example, has spent much of the past decade arguing that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were too liberal. He and Mr. Armey now declare that the days of even the most minimal moderation are now over in the Republican Party. These extremist views are now on full display in Florida where Governor Crist is being drummed out of the Party.
What Messrs Viguerie and Armey wish for should be welcomed by Democrats but is not in the best interests of the nation. The country needs strong and vibrant opposing political parties. The nation as a whole is in the ideological center of Right and Left, most people feeling most comfortable in that neighborhood. "Purification" of the GOP forces a candidate to cater to the Far Right fringe to win a primary where chances for election in a general election are slim.
But, as I have written in the past, the Tea Party movement is comprised of many rational and frightened people. They are worried about what they perceive as overpowering national government, oppressive taxation, a society that has lost its moral compass and a general distrust of politicians of both parties. The websites of the Tea Parties are filled with the things the members are against: high taxes, an oppressive federal government, socialism, Obama, failing educational systems, in short, a plethora of grievances. So they want to elect representatives who will fix everything.
And now we're back to the dog that has the bus in his grasp. What the Hell will he do with it?
The Tea Party movement is the successor to the Ross Perot movement, people dissatisfied with politicians of both parties, sick of partisan squabbling. And the problem these folks have is that they have no coherent positive message. They are against "oppressive taxes", "socialism", Barack Obama; but exactly what do they want? Get rid of all socialism, all government entitlement programs? Certainly not to the extent of getting rid of Social Security or Medicare or VA hospitals or benefits. Get rid of oppressive taxes? One may have the right to his or her opinions but not of facts! In fact, middle class taxes are the lowest in over 50 years. Cut local budgets? Sure but then how do you support an adequate police force, a fire and rescue department? What other local services will be cut?
Really Long Link
When a politician becomes an office holder, it is to be hoped that it is with the intent of using that position for the public good and not to justify a future election. If he or she is honest, they soon learn the difference between campaigning and holding an office. Slogans won't cut it. The Partiers have to decide what to do with their recognition. Right now they have the bus in their teeth with no plan on what to do next.
Woof.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
As for anyone using the name "Barry Soetero", why do you have such a problem? He was legally adopted by his step-father and used the name himself for many years. As with the usage of his initials, you seem to be searching for something offensive, even when it isn't there.
Concerning the TEA Party movement, of course there are plenty of different complaints. It was begun as Taxed Enough Already and that was the original focus of the complaints. Most people are not one-dimensional and have several concerns when it comes to government mishandling our money. Perhaps you enjoy supporting illegal aliens and deadbeats, but some of us don't.
One of the main criticisms of the B.O. (B.S.) administration is that the Constitution is being studiously ignored. Democrats proudly admit that they make things up as they go along, or aren't interested in what the Constitution has to say about anything. The Federal government (under too many presidents) has neglected to protect our borders and this is yet another concern.
Do I dislike the current president? I detest his policies and object to his abuses of power. But he's only one of many that are guilty of the same bad behavior. Nasty Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Frank and plenty of others are doing the same things and should be booted out of office, if not prosecuted.
Are you sure it's a bus chasing dog you're thinking of? Sounds more like the guy who keeps fishing but doesn't catch anything. When he finally lands a whole mess of fish, he knows just what to do with them. Fry 'em up for dinner!