The Grass roots of the Tea party, and where it stems from

[ReverendHellh0und]

Poll finds most Americans are unhappy with government


Poll finds most Americans are unhappy with government - washingtonpost.com


Despite the disapproval of government, few Americans say they know much about the "tea party" movement, which emerged last year and attracted voters angry at a government they thought was spending recklessly and overstepping its constitutional powers. And the new poll shows that the political standing of former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who was the keynote speaker last week at the first National Tea Party Convention, has deteriorated significantly.

The opening is clear: Public dissatisfaction with how Washington operates is at its highest level in Post-ABC polling in more than a decade -- since the months after the Republican-led government shutdown in 1996 -- and negative ratings of the two major parties hover near record highs.

But nearly two-thirds of those polled say they know just some, very little or nothing about what the tea party movement stands for. About one in eight says they know "a great deal" about the positions of tea party groups, but the lack of information does not erase the appeal: About 45 percent of all Americans say they agree at least somewhat with tea partiers on issues, including majorities of Republicans and independents.

Read this whole article, it begins to explain the dynamic of the tea parties, and its voice for what MOST people are feeling towards thier government.

 

[lizzie]

I watched a news segment about the Tea Party movement this morning, and I will tell you my concerns about it. I support the ideas among the base founding of it. I support small government and drastic reductions in spending in all areas not Constitutional.
What I don't support, and I don't hear the rumblings yet, but expect to, is taking the moral ground on abortion. Although I don't like abortion personally, it is legal, and I hope that the moral issues tied up in political ideology don't hijack the movement.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

I watched a news segment about the Tea Party movement this morning, and I will tell you my concerns about it. I support the ideas among the base founding of it. I support small government and drastic reductions in spending in all areas not Constitutional.
What I don't support, and I don't hear the rumblings yet, but expect to, is taking the moral ground on abortion. Although I don't like abortion personally, it is legal, and I hope that the moral issues tied up in political ideology don't hijack the movement.

I don't think abortion is a main thesis of the "Tea party" phenomenon. As it consists of many pro-choice libertarians.


I think it is an issue that needs to be addressed, but the movement is simple in its calling out of government for redress of substantial grievences.

 

[kansaswhig]

I don't think abortion is a main thesis of the "Tea party" phenomenon. As it consists of many pro-choice libertarians.


I think it is an issue that needs to be addressed, but the movement is simple in its calling out of government for redress of substantial grievences.

Rev,

I think one problem with the Tea Parties is that many of them have become a platform for single issue folks (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-war, etc). Kind of reminds me of the movie PCU. The lack of focus for most diminishes the credibility of the movement. See my post here for further explaination:

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-...phony-media-matters-story.html#post1058552105

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

Rev,

I think one problem with the Tea Parties is that many of them have become a platform for single issue folks (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-war, etc). Kind of reminds me of the movie PCU. The lack of focus for most diminishes the credibility of the movement. See my post here for further explaination:

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-...phony-media-matters-story.html#post1058552105

There will always be those who latch onto any movement for personal gain. However, it touches more deeply than what the media portrays of us.


People are fed up with our government, some are pro-gun, pro-anti-abortion, some are, heck even liberals.....


Latching onto the kooks of the movement by the media, masks the real story, that I believe this article touches upon.

 

[American]

I think the tea party movement is a response to Barack Obama. Although many were angry at Bush and the Republicans for not maintaining anything resembling fiscal conservatism outside the tax cuts, they did not envision a huge leap to the left. Obama has thrown the country out of balance, and has angered a large group of conservative Democrats. The country is center-right, not left and not extreme left (Obama). Obama is a radical, and the tea party movement is a reaction to bring equilibrium to his actions.

 

[kansaswhig]

There will always be those who latch onto any movement for personal gain. However, it touches more deeply than what the media portrays of us.


People are fed up with our government, some are pro-gun, pro-anti-abortion, some are, heck even liberals.....


Latching onto the kooks of the movement by the media, masks the real story, that I believe this article touches upon.

Yes, but it's become about Obama and not about the Govt, in the eyes of most bystanders. They would have a lot more credibility if the Tea Parties would have started when Bush was still in office. But then again, FOX probably wouldn't have gotten behind it.

 

[kansaswhig]

I think the tea party movement is a response to Barack Obama. Although many were angry at Bush and the Republicans for not maintaining anything resembling fiscal conservatism outside the tax cuts, they did not envision a huge leap to the left. Obama has thrown the country out of balance, and has angered a large group of conservative Democrats. The country is center-right, not left and not extreme left (Obama). Obama is a radical, and the tea party movement is a reaction to bring equilibrium to his actions.

I would view the Tea Parties as much more viable if they would have began during Bush's tenure. I think everyone would have. Now it's just anti-Obama and it going to be difficult to attract moderates and independents.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

Yes, but it's become about Obama and not about the Govt, in the eyes of most bystanders. They would have a lot more credibility if the Tea Parties would have started when Bush was still in office. But then again, FOX probably wouldn't have gotten behind it.

Fox is not behind it, they are about reporting the other side of it, and doing a horrible job btw...



And they did start when bush was in office with Ron Paul... they EXPLODED when Bush pushed for bailouts..... while in office. The new guy got the brunt of it.


What we see on the MSM, is not what the Tea Party is about.

 

[lizzie]

I think one problem with the Tea Parties is that many of them have become a platform for single issue folks (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-war, etc).

IF the members can keep the movement about freedom and limited government, and not morph it into an ideological cause regarding specific issues, I can support it.

 

[kansaswhig]

Fox is not behind it, they are about reporting the other side of it, and doing a horrible job btw...



And they did start when bush was in office with Ron Paul... they EXPLODED when Bush pushed for bailouts..... while in office. The new guy got the brunt of it.


What we see on the MSM, is not what the Tea Party is about.

I know, but we both know perception is reality. Fox has been behind the Tea Parties. I remember Beck being in San Antonio at the Tax Day Tea Party with Ted Nugent. They went live all day. But Fox would not have supported Tea Parties critical of Bush.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

IF the members can keep the movement about freedom and limited government, and not morph it into an ideological cause regarding specific issues, I can support it.

exactly, if it morphs into what the media is currently falsey portraying it as, then its a non-starter.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

I know, but we both know perception is reality. Fox has been behind the Tea Parties. I remember Beck being in San Antonio at the Tax Day Tea Party with Ted Nugent. They went live all day. But Fox would not have supported Tea Parties critical of Bush.

That's a balance thing. MSNBC would never support anything lierberman right. :lamo



they are not "behind" the tea parties, that indicates organizational creation. Which is not the case.

 

[lizzie]

I would view the Tea Parties as much more viable if they would have began during Bush's tenure.

I don't think many conservatives saw what was happening under Bush for what it was. People were busy buying houses, making money, and worrying about the next terrorist attack, and not keeping an eye on what Bush was really doing. He caught many people on both sides off guard.

 

[Crunch]

I would view the Tea Parties as much more viable if they would have began during Bush's tenure. I think everyone would have. Now it's just anti-Obama and it going to be difficult to attract moderates and independents.

Google "Scott Brown Tea Party".

Then think Massachusetts.

 

[Winnb]

exactly, if it morphs into what the media is currently falsey portraying it as, then its a non-starter.

No.

"if it morphs into what the media is currently falsey portraying it as", then the media didn't falsely portray it.

Point being - If the tea party becomes a bunch of "we hate obama" rallies then that's what they are. The media be damned. And I hate to tell you this, but that's what they look like to me.

And I don't give a rat's ass about the media. Nor do I use them as an excuse.

 

[Fiddytree]

IF the members can keep the movement about freedom and limited government, and not morph it into an ideological cause regarding specific issues, I can support it.

It needs specific issues. A good "movement" should include a development of a specific agenda and figure out how to implement that agenda.

Having two basic principles is good, but the Tea Party movement will not last long as a viable interest group if they do not come up with a way to apply their distaste. Rand Paul is certainly a good start, but they need to implement their vision instead of being afraid of being tainted by politics.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

No.

"if it morphs into what the media is currently falsey portraying it as", then the media didn't falsely portray it.

Point being - If the tea party becomes a bunch of "we hate obama" rallies then that's what they are. The media be damned. And I hate to tell you this, but that's what they look like to me.

And I don't give a rat's ass about the media. Nor do I use them as an excuse.

Say what?


morphing means it changes. if it changes into how the media portrays it....


and winnb, perhaps as a self proclaimed "libertarian" you should attend one, once instead of badmouthing libertarian ideals all over this forum :shrug:


Sure the anti-obama stuff gets portrayed prominantly, but if we use some critical thinking we can see that even if some of the core appear "Anti-obama" perhaps thats because he is the current leader of the crap we are pissed off about.

 

[Winnb]

morphing means it changes. if it changes into how the media portrays it....

If the movement morphs into something the media is portraying it as then the media was right all along. That's my point.

Another example: If the media portrays me as a bank robber, and then I go out and rob a bank.... see what I'm saying?

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

If the movement morphs into something the media is portraying it as then the media was right all along. That's my point.

Another example: If the media portrays me as a bank robber, and then I go out and rob a bank.... see what I'm saying?

You weren't a bank robber until you robbed a bank, or is "thought crime" part of your "libertarianism"?

 

[Winnb]

and winnb, perhaps as a self proclaimed "libertarian" you should attend one, once instead of badmouthing libertarian ideals all over this forum :shrug:

That's funny. I thought I was defending Libertarian ideals. I guess you and I just have a very different definition of what a Libertarian is.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

That's funny. I thought I was defending Libertarian ideals. I guess you and I just have a very different definition of what a Libertarian is.

yes, apparently we do, yours seem to have an undercurrent of anti-liberty ideals. :shrug:

 

[Winnb]

You weren't a bank robber until you robbed a bank, or is "thought crime" part of your "libertarianism"?

That doesn't make any sense.

Again, my point = You can't blame the media for their portrayal of the Tea Party if their portrayal turns out to be true.

 

[Winnb]

yes, apparently we do, yours seem to have an undercurrent of anti-liberty ideals. :shrug:

Okay if you can't stick to the point I'll assume you're either whupped or you don't understand the point. Either way, this thread isn't about me. If you've got a problem with me or my posts take it up with the mods or whoever.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

That doesn't make any sense.

Sure it does.

Again, my point = You can't blame the media for their portrayal of the Tea Party if their portrayal turns out to be true.

Morph... if you give the fringe the limelight you can affect change in the base.


You are not thinking this through. :shrug: