This past week I received an Email through one of the many blogs that I belong to. It was an invitation from the Republican Party, IE., "The Republican National Committee" to join them in
Washington, DC for a Tea Party".
I have decided NOT to attend this function.
Here are my reasons:
* I have been a member of the Republican Party since I was old enough to vote. While I support the Republican candidates at the local and state levels (most of the time) something happens at the Federal level. My thinking is that successfully elected candidates are either suddenly struck by lightning while traveling to Washington which causes a form of amnesia where they forget where they came from and who they are there to represent, or there is an invisible "force field" around Washington, DC that causes brain damage. Whatever it is it seems to be a reoccurring phenomena because as soon as they leave Washington and return to their districts at election time they somehow regain their memories only to loose them again once they return.
* The fact of the matter is that no matter which party they are from, they seem to check their convictions and values at the door of Congress and bow to those who control the power base within the Party and the National Committees that they belong to. Unfortunately, I have come to the sad conclusion that like the Democratic party the Republican party has become a "PART OF THE PROBLEM & NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION".
* The "Tea Parties" are a "grass roots" effort to change politics as usual in Washington. They are made up of concerned Americans on both sides of the isle. Democrats, Liberals, Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians, from all walks of life, races, and ages and all have come to the same conclusion. "That the current crap coming from the government in Washington is NOT serving the best interests of the citizens and voters of this country.
Our nation is facing serious problems that are NOT unsolvable but have become a basis for power plays by both sides. Neither party is serving the "people" but are more interested in serving the special interest groups and lobbies that control Washington.
The Republican's are trying to re-energize their party by reaching out to those within the Tea Party movement. It is the considered opinion of this writer, that if it is allowed to happen, the movement will die.
Why???
Because the common thread that binds the movement together will be lost. The thread is simply this. It is not about parties or agendas, something that neither party seems to understand. Its about a run away government that has become so blatantly corrupt that those in Washington don't even bother to hid it anymore. Its about those who have shown true arrogance in abiding by the Constitution and the rule of law. Its about taking back our government and electing leaders who will again put the interest of "We the People" ahead of partisan politics and actually try to work together to find common ground to solve problems and issues rather than use them to gain life time power.
These are people who believe strongly term limits, a flat tax, running government within its
spending limits, state's rights and will stop throwing money at every single pet project that comes along.
If you take a few minutes to research both the Constitution and the "Federalist Papers", written by those who understood the principles behind the Constitution you will find that term limits actually did exist and that representatives were not elected but to be appointed by the states for a limited amount of time and were to serve without pay.
If the Republican party is allowed to hi-jack this effort it will kill the movement and the status quo will remain and continue unchecked as our country slowly sinks to third world status.
Frankly, I think that are founding fathers, if they were alive today, would be leading the charge and would be both proud and supportive of this effort. Its the same principles that they fought and in some cases died for.
Please continue to support the objectives of the movement, and the party be damned.
God Bless
BrotherJ
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9 comments
The "Tea Parties" were nothing close to a grass roots movement, as they were started by lobbying firms. There were virtually no Democrats involved. It can hardly be called a "movement." And you have to love the far overused "what would the founders of the Constitution say" question we hear so often. The founding fathers had their own agenda as well. The best aspect of the Constitution is its' ability to change and amend. Returning to papers written a few hundred years ago by those with self-serving interests will accomplish little. Expecting our representatives to work without pay, thus limiting those that can run for office as simply those rich that can afford to accept the job at no salary? More wealthy business owners in Congress? And what might that agenda look like?
May 17, 2009 at 10:59 AM"While I support the Republican candidates at the local and state levels (most of the time) something happens at the Federal level."
May 17, 2009 at 10:49 PMSee, the problem is when republicans make it to the Federal level, their primary message loses a lot of power. How can you claim "government sucks... DOWN WITH BIG GOVERNMENT!! GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM!!" and then run for congressional and high office? Aren't you inherently becoming the problem? It would seem to me for a republican, the Governors Office is the highest in the land, and they can use their influence to sway congressional votes, no matter what party a senator or representative is from.
But alas, even today, the GOP craps all over their governors. Some of which who have interesting ideas, or at the very least are willing to at least try and find middle ground. So you champion state's rights and leave your moderate Gov's hanging out to dry, and you have contempt for the federal government, and decide it sucks so you don't want to play ball.
Then you have a "grass roots movement" which was orgranzied and sponsered in part by News Corp. (thus no longer a grass roots movement), which was about out of control spending? Why didn't have a tea party when Bush blew 700 Billion at the middle east?
If you want to know the real problem with the GOP, there is no message, and the message you have going on is obsolette. The people with ideas in your party get shut down by Jerk Limbaugh and Hannity, and the (bad) ideas floating around now ONLY appeal to an increasingly shrinking base.
Wow BrotherJ. I find it interesting that as you criticize the Republicans the liberals are there to criticize your criticism.
May 18, 2009 at 8:08 AMtL and Mark,
Not grass roots? Where's your proof. It's the left that pays their protesters. I have yet to hear one credible source proving the Tea Parties are being funded by lobbyiest, Foxnews, or evil corporations.
tL,
I know we've discussed this several times, but one of these days you are going to need to explain obsolette. I'd like to know what you are talking about. Social issues? Gallup just had a poll showing more people are against abortion than for it. That's the first time in over 15 years. Gallup also showed more people concerned with big government than big business. What are you talking about? In the wake of Obama, conservative ideas with never be more important.
Mark,
I'd rather read and promote the ideas of a group of brilliant Americans who in their wisdom created the greatest nation in the world, than to put my faith in the ignorant elitists who run the federal government.
"the ideas of a group of brilliant Americans who in their wisdom created the greatest nation in the world." I believe this is a great nation. However, this viewpoint is the issue we have with the rest of the world, exceptionalism. Are we the greatest? I don't know. And telling the rest of the world we are, then acting like it, their opinion be damned, is the biggest issue we have. The founding fathers were imperfect, as we are, and made decisions in their best interest, as we do. There was corruption, deceit, and lies, the same as today. As I stated, the wisest decision they made was to recognize this, and allow an amendment process. They knew they were not perfect, and that their ideals and laws could not and should not stand for all future generations, and therefore created liquid documents. Looking at them as geniuses that should guide everything we do a few hundred years later is absurd.
May 18, 2009 at 10:02 AMAnd grassroots? An amazingly fast campaign in which every city had its own website set up at the same time. hmmmm...sounds like grassroots to me.
BTW, I apologize for taking so long to add your blogs to mine, I am still figuring how to make all this stuff work.
May 18, 2009 at 11:37 AMMark,
May 18, 2009 at 1:18 PMI'm not sure, but it sounds like we are in agreement that the founders were geniuses, who established the foundations of a government that would last 200 years. Yes, part of that stability is in the ability to amend the constitution. I believe our disagreement would be over what should be amended. However, when looking and discussing the constitution it seems wise to me to look at the ideas and intentions of the geniuses in the past. That's why history is important. Big government is not new. It's been around forever. What are the lessons in the past that should be learned and applied today.
I'm new to your blog and your posts, so please forgive me if I do not see your conspiracy theory on the Tea Parties as a reliable source.
Thank you for adding me. I greatly appreciate getting a left leaning view on the issues.
If you want to see real grassroots, just look at the Obama campaign. Although resources liek bumper stickers, pamphelts, flyers, t-shirts, etc. were available on Obama's website, the *actual* organization was very much a very very large number of individual, unconnected groups of people. As a somewhat active member of that site, I can tell you from experience that there were no "calls to action" save "get out and vote." Nowhere on the site did it give places and times to mobilize the people. (the only times listed were for Obama speeches and rallies).
May 18, 2009 at 6:22 PMOr even look at the vietnam war protests. Or Civil rights movement. The post I wrote on the Tea Parties detailed Fox News' inappropriate involvement in the tea parties... in short you can't mobilize a call to action, and report on the story as if you were an objective non-participant.
But you are right though, I have not adequately exaplined my stance on my idea that GOP ideas are obsoleete,.. I have only done so in responding to posts... so I will dedicate the very next episode to the subject =)
CG - I am aware of the GOP thwarting this movement and must protes this as well. The Tea Party that I attended in Oceanside, CA was chock full of folks that were totally p-oed at the GOP as well. I hope and pray that the party stays away from this movement.
May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PMPost a Comment