On Wednesday I had some fun being creative in another way, as a bunch of concerned local citizens associated with the Americans for Prosperity local chapter got together to make signs for Saturday morning’s big event.
It wasn’t a large group (perhaps eight people, I wasn’t sitting there counting) but we cranked out quite a few neat little signs. This was the first one I created.
This is the group photo I took as we were somewhat hard at work.
I’ve seen a number of commentors on my left (and some on my side) openly disdaining the TEA Party movement. Well, let’s see what we have accomplished locally. In just three short months, we had a rally that drew hundreds of people on a chilly, raw day, rolled back a proposed tax increase in Somerset County, and found a potential political candidate who may have never gotten involved in the system if not for the TEA Party serving as an impetus. I didn’t know most of the people at the original TEA Party so one couldn’t say it was the same old political activists.
Personally I think we’re just the tip of the iceberg; a silent majority who’s choosing not to be silent anymore because the federal and state governments have finally overstepped their bounds to a point that people are mad and won’t take it anymore. Bailouts, stimulus, putting our grandchildren into debt: all this offended the common sense of millions of Americans.
Nor do I believe that these protests happened to spring up simply because President Obama came into office. Only a racist would see these TEA Party protests as racially-based.
I also happen to think that the higher echelon of the Republican Party better start paying attention to what we’re saying.
(I know there’s a tiny number of conservative Democrats out there, but in truth you may as well switch parties – don’t hold your breath waiting on that party to return to its Humphrey/Kennedy roots. You have the same problem conservative Republicans faced with a moderate President Bush in office; it’s difficult to go against a President from your party no matter how odious the policy.)
Perhaps the GOP is undergoing a schism that could divide the party much as Democrats divided over civil rights 60 years ago. But the Democrats resumed power shortly afterward and the GOP has the same prospect for 2010 and 2012 if they can take advantage of the motivated electorate coming out to the TEA Parties and adopt the program the TEA partiers seek – smaller, less intrusive government that doesn’t reach into our wallet as much instead of “politics as usual”.
Given the direction our President is taking us, that’s not too difficult of a sell job.
Michael,
Thank you again for coming. I’m not 100% certain, but it’s interesting to note that there are only two or perhaps three actual Republicans in the entire picture.
Regarding the future of this party, I am hopeful that a candidate will arise from the ashes of what many view as a “Neoconservative” Republican Party and assume the mantle of a true fiscal conservative. This person would be a follower of the original intent. Further, he or she would believe that freedom and less government held the key to prosperity. All the while protecting our environment and seeking real solutions for energy independence that considered the needs of today while working towards our desires for a future where imported energy, which really means exported prosperity, no longer held a place in these united States.
You were certainly a most prolific sign writer that day, I thank you for helping to make a difference.
Isn’t that really what a tea party is all about, making a difference?
Good Show!
Michael I agree with you. You sound awfully close to spouting Libertarianism, be careful. I think the two philosophies have come down to this – Democrats practice Tax & Spend, Republicans practice Deficit Spending. Spending is the problem. If congress took two years off, that would be a good start.
Muir, I’m not so sure that having Congress take two years off is the solution considering how much damage they’ve done in six short months – well, 2 years and six months when you consider Pelosi, Reid, and company came in on the heels of a “go along to get along” lame-duck President. We have plenty of damage done to Maryland in just 90 days when the General Assembly meets. And don’t forget that the last budget “surplus” our nation enjoyed came with a GOP-controlled Congress so the Republicans do have it in them.
Joe, I have a real solution for energy independence: it’s called “drill here, drill now, pay less.” It can be a bridge to whatever is next on the energy horizon yet not compel us to send our oil money to other countries. Aside from that, you have it down pat as far as philosophy goes – the trick is getting other people to “get it” and not assume that good government is the one which gives them the most bennies.
I couldn’t imagine more fun than hanging out with pincipled minded people planning to make a difference. You guys ROCK! We had a blast today. I can’t wait to see your post on today’s event. Important work can be fun too!
I’m thinking that will be Monday’s post since I already have something in the hopper for tomorrow…it’s an extension of what I spoke about today.
I am just as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!!!
Our socialist government is spending money like there was no end
It’s time to bring and end to the word “public”
An end to public health care
An end to public education
An end to public parks
An end to public roads
An end to public libraries
An end to public police
An end to public firefighters
An end to public military
An end to public politicians
It’s time to get rid of every socialistic institution in this country and hand it back to the private sector.
The private sector and market principles can do a better cheaper job than any government entity.
Show your support. Pull your children out of public schools. Avoid public libraries. Refuse to play in a public park. Don’t ride on public roads. Don’t call a public police if your house is robbed. Or a public firefighter if your house is on fire. And most of all, on election day, refuse to vote for any politician who makes a living as a public servant.
Stand up for your beliefs!!!
Norris,
Awesome. Don’t forget: don’t cheer for your publicly funded college and high school football teams!
Did someone say in this post that there should be an end to all public funding? I assume by your over the top comments that you think our economy is still not under sufficient government control. May I inquire as to how much government control of the formerly private sector you would like?
FF, same question
Chuck,
That’s easy–you don’t want big government, right? No socialized medicine (take away Granny’s Medicaid immediately!). Those football teams? Paid for by my tax dollars. We need to get rid of them right away so “big government” doesn’t start calling the plays, literally. Why should we all pay for the highways when we don’t all use them? I say privatize them. After all, the roads the elite media use in the north tend to be more costly due to bad weather. Privatize the police and let capitalism determine which towns have officers and which do not. If we cannot trust the government to educate our kids, why on earth would we trust them to defend us? Privatize the military. Outsource it. After all, veterans get a lot of socialized medicine–it really is a drain on our society. Don’t let some Muslim non-American President tell us we should provide the same health care for average Americans that elected officials get! That is not the American way! The rich and the elite deserve to get all of the breaks, and the poor should just quietly go about their business and continue to vote aaginst their self-interest.