Why the Tea Party won't work

OOPS! Forgot the link. Here it is:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/m...ue&id=3&d=09-16-2010

OK, you have to scroll down in the box on the left. Click on "Tea Party Supporters Debate Movement's..."

I agree. It's not a well-organized group.

I predict the Tea Party movement will fade, especially if the republicans gain a majority of seats in the House this November, and definitely if Obama doesn't win a second term in 2012.

Their only real strength is feeding on opposition. If republicans gain back the majority, there's nothing to combat and they'll disperse.

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
I know a lot of you dislike NPR radio, but this morning I heard an interview with two different "leaders" of the Tea Party. They pretty much can't agree on most things.
This is why I don't believe the Tea Party will be able to accomplish anything. While there may be some Tea people elected, they don't have any unified idea of where they want to take this country.

I can envision the Tea Party breaking up into smaller factions that will end up fighting each other just as much as Republicans and Democrats do now.

Please take a moment to listen to the entire interview. Then let me know what you think.

You heard 2 leaders of 2 of the many small groups of the so called TEA party. There is no TEA party. The whole of the so called TEA party are the majority of mainstream Americans. It's not a party but an ideal that our country has gotton away from the intentions of the founding fathers and the US Constitution. Though there are disagreements on different issues as a whole they are pretty much united. I don't agree with my wife on a lot of issues. Perhaps you're not paying attention. The TEA party has already accomplished more than anyone ever thought possible. Not only are the liberals and Democrats running scared but the establishment Republicans that have lost touch are running scared too. One of the things the left cannot understand is that Beck, Palin, Hannity, etc. are not calling the shots of the TEA party. It really is "the people" as in we the people.

My point though is, the Tea Party is made up of so many diverse people and ideas that they don't have any kind of unified stance. Words like "fiscal responsibility" and "back to the Constitution" don't mean anything unless you give ideas about HOW to achieve those goals. So far, nobody has said anything of substance, or if they had, they have been unable to get a majority of their members to agree.

The only thing I have heard consistantly is that they hate liberals. And they have exaggerated so much about what liberals stand for that they sound silly. Saying that liberals "hate America" or want to "ban the Constitution" are untrue, and it only makes them look like extremists.

quote:

Originally posted by ferrellj:

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
I know a lot of you dislike NPR radio, but this morning I heard an interview with two different "leaders" of the Tea Party. They pretty much can't agree on most things.
This is why I don't believe the Tea Party will be able to accomplish anything. While there may be some Tea people elected, they don't have any unified idea of where they want to take this country.

I can envision the Tea Party breaking up into smaller factions that will end up fighting each other just as much as Republicans and Democrats do now.

Please take a moment to listen to the entire interview. Then let me know what you think.

You heard 2 leaders of 2 of the many small groups of the so called TEA party. There is no TEA party. The whole of the so called TEA party are the majority of mainstream Americans. It's not a party but an ideal that our country has gotton away from the intentions of the founding fathers and the US Constitution. Though there are disagreements on different issues as a whole they are pretty much united. I don't agree with my wife on a lot of issues. Perhaps you're not paying attention. The TEA party has already accomplished more than anyone ever thought possible. Not only are the liberals and Democrats running scared but the establishment Republicans that have lost touch are running scared too. One of the things the left cannot understand is that Beck, Palin, Hannity, etc. are not calling the shots of the TEA party. It really is "the people" as in we the people.

Not so fast, ferrellj--

The Tea Party movement is hardly a pure grass roots initiative. There is a lot of Astroturf out there weeding up what natural grass might be at the "root" of the disorderly phenomenenon called Tea Party.

Whatever they are and wherever the Tea Party folks come from, they are delivering lots of trouble to the GOP with a gaggle of candidates who are daily placing their incompetence before the public. That does not augur for nearly as much success in November as the wingers are happily slobbering over.

Here is some good educational material:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04...inion/13krugman.html

So what you America hating obama supporters would prefer is more less informed voters, or in the case of obama supporters mis-informed. All it adds up to is that you can't handle the fact that tax-paying Americans are fed up with carreer politicians of bothe parties.

Quoting The New York Times is much like citing The National Enquirer or wikipedia as a credible source of news.

quote:

Originally posted by Tomme73:
Quoting The New York Times is much like citing The National Enquirer or wikipedia as a credible source of news.

Then you just stay secure and dumbed-down in your little Fox News/Limbaugh/Hannity corner of the world.

Reading Paul Krugman is a lot like reading betternu. If it doesn't agree with him then you must be crazy. Hardly what I would call an objective article on the TEA party. Betternu, what is your definition of a grassroots initiative? Does it have to be left wing, progressive, or Democratic? Sure some career conservative and Republican types have jumped on board as they would in any initiative left or right. Some Republicans have not and now they're having heartburn because TEA party backed candidates have kicked the liberal career Republicans to the curb. Does that mean a Democrat might win the general election? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Does the TEA party have all the answers? Maybe not but again refer to the definition of insanity. So betternu, according to you the only people fit for office have to highly competent right? Who defines that competency? I hope I spelled everything correctly.

quote:

you America hating obama supporters

It is words like that that divide out nation. Am I an Obama supporter? Yes. Do I hate America? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

The difference between conservatives and liberals is not that we want different things for our country, it's that we just believe in totally different ways to accomplish our goals.

Conservatives love the Constitution. Liberals love the Constitution. Conservatives would like to see America get back on track. Liberals would like to see America get back on track.

Here's an example: The Bush tax cuts that are about to expire. Conservatives believe that ALL the tax cuts should be renewed. Liberals believe that only those who make less than $250,000 per year should have the tax cuts renewed.

Conservatives think that those "new" taxes on big money earners will hurt businesses, causing them to hold off on hiring. Liberals believe that the "new" taxes won't hurt the wealthy very much, and will help drive down the deficit.

Now, does that mean one group or the other "hates America"? NO! It means we BOTH want what's best for America, but our view of what's best is different.

Actually, I personally believe the reason Repubs and some Dems don't want these "new" taxes levied on the rich is simple. The largest percentage of campain money either party gets comes from those same wealthy people. They don't want to offend potential donors.

And come to think of it, if these tax cuts are so good for the economy, why is it that the economy crashed while they were in effect, and why is it that they have done nothing to improve the economy so far?

quote:

Sez ferrellj:
Reading Paul Krugman is a lot like reading betternu. If it doesn't agree with him then you must be crazy. Hardly what I would call an objective article on the TEA party. Betternu, what is your definition of a grassroots initiative? Does it have to be left wing, progressive, or Democratic? Sure some career conservative and Republican types have jumped on board as they would in any initiative left or right. Some Republicans have not and now they're having heartburn because TEA party backed candidates have kicked the liberal career Republicans to the curb. Does that mean a Democrat might win the general election? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Does the TEA party have all the answers? Maybe not but again refer to the definition of insanity. So betternu, according to you the only people fit for office have to highly competent right? Who defines that competency? I hope I spelled everything correctly.

Don't expect a rational answer very soon. Your post is too long. Right now he's probably having to cool the tip of his index finger from constant sliding through his thesaurus to find...the RIGHT words to WOW us with...

Here's you some more "bait" U...

Seems it's working pretty well.
The dems are more divided than the Tea Party. It was purposely not one big party, so as not to lead to corruption.

Just wait a few more months.

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:
I agree. It's not a well-organized group.

I predict the Tea Party movement will fade, especially if the republicans gain a majority of seats in the House this November, and definitely if Obama doesn't win a second term in 2012.

Their only real strength is feeding on opposition. If republicans gain back the majority, there's nothing to combat and they'll disperse.

The demise of the tea party movement was predicted over a year ago. Like Mark Twain said, the report of his death was over rated.

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
My point though is, the Tea Party is made up of so many diverse people and ideas that they don't have any kind of unified stance. Words like "fiscal responsibility" and "back to the Constitution" don't mean anything unless you give ideas about HOW to achieve those goals. So far, nobody has said anything of substance, or if they had, they have been unable to get a majority of their members to agree.

The only thing I have heard consistantly is that they hate liberals. And they have exaggerated so much about what liberals stand for that they sound silly. Saying that liberals "hate America" or want to "ban the Constitution" are untrue, and it only makes them look like extremists.

Science fiction stories predicted the emergence of leaderless movements over 15 years ago. Interesting that the first successful one is composed of conservative constitutionalists. More and more, the left resembles woolly mammoths slowly treading into the La Brea Tar Pits. All the while convincing themselves they represent progress.

quote:

Originally posted by elinterventor01:

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:
I agree. It's not a well-organized group.

I predict the Tea Party movement will fade, especially if the republicans gain a majority of seats in the House this November, and definitely if Obama doesn't win a second term in 2012.

Their only real strength is feeding on opposition. If republicans gain back the majority, there's nothing to combat and they'll disperse.

The demise of the tea party movement was predicted over a year ago. Like Mark Twain said, the report of his death was over rated.

If they don't "get it together" they'll just continue to be fodder for the left.

Obviously I lean more left than right, but I do actually understand the original intent of the "movement".

They're just entertainment to me as of now, but I'll be honest and tell you my mind is more open now than a few months ago to new ideas/parties because I'm so disappointed with what we're stuck with.

quote:

Am I an Obama supporter? Yes. Do I hate America?

You have to.
You voted to fundamentally transform this great nation into something quite different. You voted for a man who, along with the people he has surrounded himself with, hate what America stands for, American heritage and the American Constitution. He has been mentored by and surrounds himself w/ 60's radicals who cheered when American soldiers were killed by the Vietcong, blew up police stations and the Pentagon, and believe American got what it deserved on 9-11. They despise the free market system known as capitalism. They are systematically introducing the ultimate Nanny State through big government solutions that throw billions of borrowed and taxpayer money at problems while ignoring the root causes of those problems.
Obama's failure in his job as president is the definition of the 'Peter Principle'.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:

quote:

Originally posted by elinterventor01:

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:
I agree. It's not a well-organized group.

I predict the Tea Party movement will fade, especially if the republicans gain a majority of seats in the House this November, and definitely if Obama doesn't win a second term in 2012.

Their only real strength is feeding on opposition. If republicans gain back the majority, there's nothing to combat and they'll disperse.

The demise of the tea party movement was predicted over a year ago. Like Mark Twain said, the report of his death was over rated.

If they don't "get it together" they'll just continue to be fodder for the left.

Obviously I lean more left than right, but I do actually understand the original intent of the "movement".

They're just entertainment to me as of now, but I'll be honest and tell you my mind is more open now than a few months ago to new ideas/parties because I'm so disappointed with what we're stuck with.

What do they have to "get together"? They're kicking 30 and 40 year career politicians out of office. They have the full attention of both major political parties. I would say they pretty much do "have it together". You sound like a future TEA party participant to me.

quote:

quote:
Am I an Obama supporter? Yes. Do I hate America?


You have to.
You voted to fundamentally transform this great nation into something quite different. You voted for a man who, along with the people he has surrounded himself with, hate what America stands for, American heritage and the American Constitution. He has been mentored by and surrounds himself w/ 60's radicals who cheered when American soldiers were killed by the Vietcong, blew up police stations and the Pentagon, and believe American got what it deserved on 9-11. They despise the free market system known as capitalism. They are systematically introducing the ultimate Nanny State through big government solutions that throw billions of borrowed and taxpayer money at problems while ignoring the root causes of those problems.
Obama's failure in his job as president is the definition of the 'Peter Principle'.

GOM, that is your OPINION. That doesn't mean it's the truth. As a matter of fact, when you say that ANY American was happy to see the 9/11 attacks happen, when you say people like me hate America, hate the Constitution, and hate the free enterprise system, you are hurting yourself. Any reasonable person can see that you are exaggerating at best, and ranting insanely at worst.

In other words, any REASONABLE person would just ignore you.

Now, if you would like to have a rational discussion, I'm all ears, but if you're going to accuse at least half of America of HATING America, just because they disagree with YOUR idea of what America needs, then you need not talk to me anymore.

Dont be so rational O No!. The far Right fringe, which seems to have established an epicenter in AlObama, would not be as kind. People like me, an AlObama native cant get far enough away from them, the birthers, baggers, et al, so much so that I am considering voting Dem in the next national election.

People hate the Tea Party because it is winning. Obama extended and enhanced the Patriot Act that the libs all yelled foul on when Bush enacted it. He appoints czars so they don't have to have a confirmation vote.
His Obamacare is mandating the purchase of insurance which will be shown to be unconstitutional and then they will call it a tax.

Juan, if you think all the ills of the world is the reps fault, feel free to reelect all the majority candidates. Maybe Krugman can get them to spend another trillion in 'infrastructure'.

quote:

Originally posted by ferrellj:

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:

quote:

Originally posted by elinterventor01:

quote:

Originally posted by Buttercup:
I agree. It's not a well-organized group.

I predict the Tea Party movement will fade, especially if the republicans gain a majority of seats in the House this November, and definitely if Obama doesn't win a second term in 2012.

Their only real strength is feeding on opposition. If republicans gain back the majority, there's nothing to combat and they'll disperse.

The demise of the tea party movement was predicted over a year ago. Like Mark Twain said, the report of his death was over rated.

If they don't "get it together" they'll just continue to be fodder for the left.

Obviously I lean more left than right, but I do actually understand the original intent of the "movement".

They're just entertainment to me as of now, but I'll be honest and tell you my mind is more open now than a few months ago to new ideas/parties because I'm so disappointed with what we're stuck with.

What do they have to "get together"? They're kicking 30 and 40 year career politicians out of office. They have the full attention of both major political parties. I would say they pretty much do "have it together". You sound like a future TEA party participant to me.

I wouldn't go that far, ferrell. I am just at a point - like most people - where I'm really interested in third party candidates. Considering the win by that O'Donnell nut, I don't think the Tea Party can provide it - not right now, anyway.

I do actually watch Beck and Hannity on Fox and listen to their radio shows as well, and I compare notes with the "progressives" and the middle-of-the-road types, read some newspapers and articles from Time, Newsweek and other sources on the Internet, then come to my own conclusions.

Again, it's no secret that I don't like Beck, but that's not 100% due to the ideology he espouses (though quite a bit of crazy speak does come out of his mouth that just makes me laugh); it's more his presentation that turns me off - which is for ratings, of course.

But then, on the left, there's Ed Schultz who can't seem to say anything of substance. All he's concerned about is doing what it takes to one up Beck - including constantly talking about a rally of his own - and comparing his ratings to CNN. CNN. Really?

Speaking of lack of substance, I don't care at all for Olbermann. He should have stayed on SportsCenter...at least he didn't suck as bad there. Maddow is very smart, obviously, but she seems to just have an ax to grind all the time.

So I consider myself to be pretty open to new ideas at this point; that's why I visit the Politics section.

Butter, I applaud your tactics.

Heck, even I can't stand Hannity, he's tooooooo far right.
Beck has some good points. I don't watch MSNBC but I do go to their web site.
I also go to CBS and ABC to compare hot topics of the day.
The time I watch Fox is Special Report at five. It catches me up on the day.

O'Reilly rarely, he talks too much and doesn't let his guests talk.

O No's quote -

quote:

when you say people like me hate America, hate the Constitution, and hate the free enterprise system

-----------------------

I guess you better go back and reread my post, although you pasted it up there, you must not have read it. I said Obama and his mentors, and appointees hated America and what it stands for.

Another ono quote - "when you say that ANY American was happy to see the 9/11 attacks happen...."

I said they "believe American got what it deserved on 9-11", I didn't say you or anyone was happy about it. .

And, of course it's my OPINION! And that is your opinion as is most of what you write, like the rest of us. That goes w/o saying.

In summary, MY OPINION is that Obama and the people that surround him hate the American heritage and way of life and what made us great and the ones who voted for him and back him were either duped, hated Bush so much, are ignorant and uninformed or believe like he does. Some may fall into all of those categories.