As a wise man once said, “Matt, what you don’t know could fill a book.”
I need some help understanding this “Tea Party” movement. Â It makes me a little nervous, quite frankly.
I keep getting these Facebook messages from someone inviting me to a “Tea Party” and I was like, “Hmm, a tea party.  That sounds fun.  My friends and I used to have them at the bottom of the pool.”  But upon further inspection, it’s a party called “America Rising – Albany Tea Party”.
What is it? Â The description said this:
There comes a time when it is necessary for citizens to rise and resist a corrupt and out of control government. It is our duty to educate the electorate, educate the youth, and vote out the politicians that do not listen to the voices of the people. We are looking for statesmen to fill these positions, using the groundwork the Primary Challenge has laid.
We want FREEDOM, LIBERTY and to BE HEARD.
Yikes. That is definitely not like the tea parties we used to have at the bottom of the pool.
First of all, and correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this whole “Tea Party” movement being brought to us in high definition from the ultra conservative Republican right? Â Aren’t these the people that are pissed off that the Democrats cleaned house in ’08, and have now reinvented themselves as the Tea Party? Â Do I have this correct? Â Or is it an independent party made of people who don’t want to associate themselves with either Democrats or Republicans? Â I’m pretty sure it’s a hard core Republican movement. Â In which case I might sit this party out.
I’m certainly not against change.  Change is a good thing, obviously.  But what change does this Tea Party want?  Because if I know one thing about the conservative right, it means a lot of bad things for young girls who are pregnant, for immigrants, for gay people, for the environment, for non-religious folk, for science.  Just to name a few.
I want to like the Tea Party. Â I really do. Â I love the name. Â I think the marketing behind it is genius. Â And I almost feel like a traitor for NOT belonging to it already. Â I don’t doubt that there are a lot of very fine folks who are joining this party, Â I’m just worried it’s a very cutesy, deceptive name for a very harmful political force.
The other thing that makes me nervous is how quickly and vehemently the Tea Party will rally against someone who doesn’t share their agenda… even Republicans. Â Note the Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Â He was a very popular governor, widely believed to be a potential for President or VP, and then he foolishly gives President Obama a hug when the President was visiting Florida. Next thing you know, the Tea Party opens up a can of whoop ass on him, and now he might not even be reelected! He’s currently losing by 20 points!
The Washington Post wrote, “According to polls, Crist was once ahead by about 30 points in a primary contest widely viewed as a certain rout, a steppingstone for the 53-year-old Crist toward a bigger national stage and a future White House run. Now, targeted for extinction by “tea party” activists and the right-wing of his party, Crist is behind by more than 20 points, yet another reminder of the intraparty dangers awaiting Republicans viewed as too moderate.
How does that not make you nervous? Â I am seriously worried that this Tea Party is going to back some crazy christian candidate (no offense, but you know what I mean) who will somehow get elected, and then it’ll be George W. Bush 3.0 all over again.
Speaking of which, is there actually a real chance that Sarah Palin will be in the running for President in 2012? Â I mean, there’s no way, right? Â Please tell me there’s no way.
I cant’ imagine that Friday Puppy has a ton of Tea Partiers reading this blog, but I would love to hear what I can expect at this Tea Party. Â And if I am confusing the conservative right movement with the Tea Party movement, I apologize.
Ok, back to dogs…
Justin L
Apr 19, 2010 at 2:23 am
No Taxation Without Representation is a good way to sum it up. Just like the original Tea Party folks pissed off that the British Government/Parliament created the Tea Act on trading tea. This Party is a pretty MAJOR thing! How can you not know about it? “Cutesy??…” It’s name is based on something that started the American Revolution. Apparently it’s about 60% Republicans and the rest are Independant/Democrat (ish). All of them are pretty much for the same thing and that’s smaller government. Quit giving my money to some couch potato playing XBox so that he can keep giving you his vote. It’s not funded or headed. It’s all grassroots.
Crist is out of there because he’s wishy washy on his politics. Moderate is no good.The young and sexy Marco Rubio is going to kick his political butt. He’s conservative, speaks as well as Obama and has a backbone and sense of humor to boot.
Democrats vote no on gay marriage too. Why is that so overlooked? And then they even get credit for being the ones who are for minorities–how can it not be perfectly clear they say stuff to get a vote and never back it up? At least republicans don’t stick you when you’re walking away.
Anyway, the Tea Party. Smaller government, quit forcing me to buy your health care, quit giving my money to bums, quit reverting us back to where we came from. All good stuff.
Jeff
Apr 19, 2010 at 7:28 am
Yes and no on the conservative/republican thing. The TEA party doesn’t really have a party association, though they are closer to Republicans than Democrats. Basically they are a group of fiscal conservatives that are looking to change the way government is run because BOTH parties have been incredibly corrupt in their dealings for the last, um… forever.
I wouldn’t worry about it becoming George Bush 3 because even though Bush had conservative leanings he messed up a lot of things in the eyes of true conservatives (see the “bail out” most recently).
I know there has been a very strong effort to cast the TEA party in a “racist”, “sexist” and whatever else light, and since Ive never been to a rally I will hold out judgment but there was a big uproar about the “n word” being thrown around at a recent DC rally by many Dem senators, but the organizers of the TEA party offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who could prove it and the money hasn’t gone anywhere yet. Im sure both parties feel like this is a major threat to their power (republicans especially because a conservative 3rd party ensures the dems will win more often).
Anyway I feel like Ive rambled enough. Personally I appreciate the TEA party’s message, I’m a fiscal conservative and a social liberal (ie… I want to cut government spending but I believe in gay rights, gun restrictions etc). I just wish they would stop trying to shove Sarah Palin down our throats… she stinks.
M&M
Apr 19, 2010 at 9:09 am
Here are some statistics on the Tea Party. Also, it’s not just about taxation without representation for Tea Party supporters. They tend to have very conservative views on social issues as well. Against Gay Marriage; they believe poor people are given too much attention, think Obama is only working on African American issues. I think if you read a paper you can see thats just not true. Tea Party = Fiscally Conservative Republicans who are overwhelmingly White Males over 45. How is that for representation of America??
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?scp=3&sq=tea%20party&st=Search
Allie
Apr 19, 2010 at 9:09 am
The Tea party is a fiscally (very) conservative movement. Although it doesn’t have any explicit social values (to the best of my knowledge), the fact that an overwhelming majority of the members are older, white, upper middle class/upper class males, should indicate which way the party would vote socially if it even gained power. Basically they just want smaller government with less taxes. While less taxes certainly sounds great, they want to cut back on social welfare programs (nationalized healthcare, medicaid, social security, etc). So what can you expect with this program? Less taxes and a country where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer – every man for himself.
And Justin, No Taxation Without Represenation is NOT a good way to sum it up. We HAVE representation, unlike the original tea party members. The new tea party members just don’t like who the general population has been electing.
Just sayin’…
Apr 19, 2010 at 9:31 am
I would have more respect for the Tea Party movement if they weren’t slamming Obama for attacking their Medicare and Social Security benefits (by passing federal health reform), while at the same time screaming for smaller government and tax relief. Seems a bit inconsistent to me.
Plus, I agree with Matt, their intolerant social conservatism makes me more than a little uncomfortable.
Jo
Apr 19, 2010 at 9:38 am
ugh…. way to alienate the conservatives who read your blog, rather discouraging considering how much i enjoy your blog and respect you and all the great things you do for our city….
kriskaten
Apr 19, 2010 at 10:30 am
i’m with you, matt. the fact that fox news covers it, and sarah palin supports it, is enough of a reason for me to not get involved.
Hopeful
Apr 19, 2010 at 10:58 am
kriskaten – Perfect! Took the words right out of my mouth.
Scott
Apr 19, 2010 at 11:13 am
I’m responding to Jo for criticizing Matt for having an opinion, as admittedly uneducated about the subject as he may be. I’d expect Matt to apologize for not being everything you want him to be, seeing he is such presence in our community. But quite frankly, you don’t deserve one.
My props to Matt for being true to himself AND open-minded enough to listen to what those who disagree might have to say about the subject.
Allie
Apr 19, 2010 at 11:18 am
OMG! I read the article you linked, M&M and I’m embarrassed for these people! Did anyone else catch the quote at the end?? So typical – only cut spending where it doesn’t affect them:
“Some defended being on Social Security while fighting big government by saying that since they had paid into the system, they deserved the benefits. Others could not explain the contradiction. ‘I don
Montana
Apr 19, 2010 at 11:58 am
The simpleton Birthers along with the Tea baggers are the same whiners that were crying when the McCain/Bailin ticket lost. Now that their yelling and screaming failed to stop the health care debate and the bill from passing they are crying again. Let
kidkane
Apr 19, 2010 at 3:10 pm
For more on Charlie Crist and homophobia check out this movie: http://www.outragethemovie.com/
(great blog topic too…)
and for a more comical look at tea baggers check out this: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-16-2009/tea-party-tyranny
dgc
Apr 19, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Let me preface this by saying, I don’t belong to any party, because I think they are all blowhards. That being said, but I’m sorry but didn’t the war in Afghanistan start because the United States was attacked on September 11, 2001 and over 3000 people were killed that day…..please, correct me if I’m wrong or was that just supposed to go unanswered?
Also, yes the Republicans were in control of the White House for eight years, but did not control Congress, so getting things done can be a bit more difficult in that situation. The Democrats control the White House, Congress and the Senate, and haven’t appeared to get much done either……just how long was it they fought amongst them selves over the health care bill? Again, IMO they are all blowhards.
Oh, and I’m not going to bet the farm on what the NYT has to say about a conservative group…..they’re just as bad as Fox News, Bill Mahar, Rush, Al Franken, etc., etc…..the agenda with all of them is mind blowing. Some where in the middle of all of them is the real truth.
The Conservatives might have the Tea Baggers, but the Liberals have MoveOn and IMO any group that can only see the negative, and can not agree with one single solitary thing from their opposition, is narrow minded and living in a vacum.
Edna
Apr 19, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I dont know much about the political Tea Party,but I do have a pool and you and Mark can join me for a Tea Party anytime..;)
Ed R
Apr 19, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I’m with kriskaten. Sums it up perfectly!
devtob
Apr 19, 2010 at 6:16 pm
The local teabaggers are mostly Ron Paul types, Birchers, gun nuts, and others from the right wing of the Republican Party.
They have been activated by the election of a black Democratic President, and the non-stop anti-Obama propaganda on Fox and talk radio.
And though they don’t make a big point of it, many of them are “crazy Christians” (remember, they are the right wing of the GOP) who don’t care for teh gay at all.
Biff
Apr 19, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Hi Matt. My wife is a big fan of your blog. She mentioned your post here about the Tea Partiers, and suggested I check it out. I can’t adequately explain the Tea Party in the comment section on a blog, but suffice to say your take on them is just about on the money. They are corporate funded, older white folks who have suddenly become worried about the national debt (apparently, fiscal discipline only matters when a Democrat is in the White House). They claim to be fiscally conservative, yet had no problem supporting a guy who took us to two wars (one of which was unneccessary), with no means to pay for them. And yet, many of them rely on government assistance (Social Security, disability, medicare). In sum, they are like most other Republicans – hypocrites.
laym
Apr 19, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Matt,
but isn
Henry
Apr 19, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I am glad that the democrats fought amongst themselves over health care. It’s a really important, really big issue that is extremely complex. Of course it wasn’t an easy issue to make decisions about. How could it be?
And btw, Republicans controlled Congress between 1995-2007, excluding 2001 when the Senate was composed of 50 dems and 50 republicans. In other words, republicans controlled Congress before George W was elected and for most of his two terms.
If I was to apply faulty Tea Party/Republican logic to my life, the first thing that I would ask my government is, why do I have to pay school taxes? I don’t have children.
Answer: For the common good. Society (that means me AND you) is better off when individuals are educated. The same applies to healthy people. It benefits us all whether you admit it or not.
Justin L
Apr 19, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Allie, you let one article all of a sudden make you embarrassed for the Tea Partiers? And it was from the New York Times– there’s not many papers that is worse in propoganda. Representation for your and my tax dollars doesn’t matter if it’s coming from another country or from our own gov. Britain didn’t represent and either does the Obama Regime.
Do you think there’s a bunch of rich republicans gathering by the thousands and that’s what makes up the tea party? These people ARE the middle class. They’re not trying to eliminate themselves.
And again, Dems don’t represent gays either. Voting democratic for social rights is what the dems ride on. And then they DON’T represent.
devtob
Apr 19, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Justin — If the Dems “don’t represent gays,” please try to name one GLBT issue — AIDS/HIV, marriage equality, DADT repeal, hospital visitation, etc, — where Republicans took the lead on, or even voted for, basic equality .
I hear the crickets already.
CC
Apr 19, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Cherish and protect the right to speak freely. History shows us that that the failure to do so results in intellectual, social and physical enslavement.
“No socialist government conducting the entire life and industry of the country could afford to allow free, sharp, or violently worded expressions of public discontent. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance. And this would nip opinion in the bud; it would stop criticism as it reared its head, and it would gather all the power of the supreme party and the party leaders, rising like stately pinnacles above their vast bureaucracies of Civil servants, no longer servants and no longer civil.” – Winston Churchill
Ferfer
Apr 20, 2010 at 9:34 am
I think maybe the Obama people are behind the tea party “movement”. Think about it. All the racists and other freaks who would attempt assassination are now part of these loosely affiliated groups and the FBI can keep an easy eye on them. FOX News is in on it too. Honestly, no one could possibly believe advertising and promoting these tea party rallies is just honest journalism. It’s all about herding the masses. Maybe. :)
MacKenzie
Apr 22, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I’m a college student currently doing my senior seminar paper on the relationship between the Tea Party movement and the Republican Party so I’m bursting at the seams with stats and facts about these crazies. The Tea Party has no official relationship with the Republican Party, but Chairman of the RNC Michael Steele has endorsed the principles and goals of the movement. Their main ideas are fiscal conservatism, constitutionally limited government and free markets. Their main legislative focus has been to stop the passage of the Stimulus Bill and Obama’s Health Care overhaul. Most people assume they’re all Republicans but that’s not true. Most Tea Partiers are Republican, (60-75%) but a good percentage identify themselves as Democrats (4-20%).
But as a very liberal Democrat Matt I beg you to not associate yourself with this movement. They have proved to be a group of highly uneducated, racist, paranoid, misinformed bunch of crazies.
Jacquelyn Mannick
Nov 22, 2010 at 1:15 am
I was also wrong about the tea party movement until I found a great site that made me understand it better. I met alot of friends there and must admit I was impressed with the way they think. I assumed they were all insane people then I found out why they are the tea party movement. It is because they worry about the United States and the constitution.