The Nurturing of the Tea Party Movement

[GoodWitch58]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/us/politics/26freedom.html?_r=1&hp

This is a three-day ?boot camp? at FreedomWorks, the Washington advocacy group that has done more than any other organization to build the Tea Party movement. For 18 months, the group?s young staff has been conducting training sessions like this one across the country, in hotel conference rooms or basements of bars, shaping the inchoate anger of the Tea Party with its libertarian ideology and leftist organizing tactics.

Tea Party leaders at the boot camp gasped when Mr. Steinhauser emphasized the importance of going after so-called Reagan Democrats and then noted that he himself was not born until 1981, after Ronald Reagan?s first inauguration.

For those who continue to say the Tea Party movement is just "regular everyday people who are concerned about their country", how do you feel about the molding being done by Freedom Works?

 

[AndrewG]

NYTimes isn't a reliable source imo. Their paper is going down the tubes.

 

[idlewind]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/us/politics/26freedom.html?_r=1&hp



For those who continue to say the Tea Party movement is just "regular everyday people who are concerned about their country", how do you feel about the molding being done by Freedom Works?

Sounds like conservative "community organizing" to me. Do you know that Saul Alinsky's book is reccommended reading for all tea party members? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Sounds like conservative "community organizing" to me. Do you know that Saul Alinsky's book is reccommended reading for all tea party members? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Yeah, that is mentioned in the article. I found it quite interesting--just wondered what some of the folks who had been talking about "independence" of the tea party being a definitive issue, thought about the effort to organize, using the "best practices" of organizing and funding by Freedom Works.

 

[idlewind]

Yeah, that is mentioned in the article. I found it quite interesting--just wondered what some of the folks who had been talking about "independence" of the tea party being a definitive issue, thought about the effort to organize, using the "best practices" of organizing and funding by Freedom Works.

How does learning methods to express your views in a politically effective manner compromise the group's independence? The tea party stands for smaller government, less taxes and more freedom. We wish to advance these views. Freedomworks has taken the lead in training anyone who wants the training how to advance their views in the political arena. What is wrong with that?

 

[GoodWitch58]

How does learning methods to express your views in a politically effective manner compromise the group's independence? The tea party stands for smaller government, less taxes and more freedom. We wish to advance these views. Freedomworks has taken the lead in training anyone who wants the training how to advance their views in the political arena. What is wrong with that?

There is nothing wrong with the training; and nothing wrong with Freedom Works footing the bill. As long as this is transparent I'm fine with it.

But, Freedom Works has an agenda that is well known and if it is underwriting the Tea Party, then the Tea Party can hardly call itself
Independent and "just regular folks" giving the impression that they are just individuals who are concerned about something and are on their own iniative showing up to protest, support, whatever. leading many
to believe that there are thousands of people spontaneously rallying around a cause.

I'm just looking for integrity and transparency.

 

[Andy A]

Yeah, that is mentioned in the article. I found it quite interesting--just wondered what some of the folks who had been talking about "independence" of the tea party being a definitive issue, thought about the effort to organize, using the "best practices" of organizing and funding by Freedom Works.

Let me start by saying the Tea Party Movement is a large group of many and diversified organizations and not all have the same goals. What they do have in common is limited government, less spending, fair taxation and a belief in a higher power as basics. I am sure ther are more but that is the essence of their beliefs.
Now, to the local Walton County Tea Party Patriots. I have never met a finer group of people. They are not right wing extremists or zealots. They are ordinary, hard working individuals like you are, trying to find a way to get a government they believe is off the track back on it again. If you really want to know what they do, attend a twice monthly meeting. They aren't held in secret and are open to the public.
Now, to the Freedom Works. I am not familar with this group but someone needs to get the "other side of the story" told to our youth. It has been almost 30 years since I last attended a college teaching setting. Even then, it was obvious that many of my professors were biased in what they presented to the class. One or two of them hated to see me on their class roster, I'm sure, because I would make sure the class got to hear the other side of the story. In fairness, it never affected my grades since I never received anything lower than an A. (Yeah, I know but a little bragging now and then helps one's morale). It is really disingenuous to bash the Tea Party Movement and their efforts and goals until you attend a meeting and know something about what you are bashing.

 

[Geo]

Let me start by saying the Tea Party Movement is a large group of many and diversified organizations and not all have the same goals. What they do have in common is limited government, less spending, fair taxation and a belief in a higher power as basics. I am sure ther are more but that is the essence of their beliefs.
Now, to the local Walton County Tea Party Patriots. I have never met a finer group of people. They are not right wing extremists or zealots. They are ordinary, hard working individuals like you are, trying to find a way to get a government they believe is of the track back on it again. If you really want to know what they do, attend a twice monthly meeting. They aren't held in secret and are open to the public.
Now, to the Freedom Works. I am not familar with this group but someone needs to get the "other side of the story" told to our youth. It has been almost 30 years since I last attended a college teaching setting. Even then, it was obvious that many of my professors were biased in what they presented to the class. One or two of them hated to see me on their class roster, I'm sure, because I would make sure the class got to hear the other side of the story. In fairness, it never affected my grades since I never received anything lower than an A. (Yeah, I know but a little bragging now and then helps one's morale). It is really disingenuous to bash the Tea Party Movement and their efforts and goals until you attend a meeting and know something about what you are bashing.

I was with you until you said it is disingenuous to bash a group until you attend one of their meetings.

 

[AndrewG]

The Tea Party is growing exponentially because they represent mainstream America. I don't think the attendees care who puts it on as long as the basic principles of less gov't, less dependence and greater free market principles are encouraged.

So many people are trying to attach a label to Tea Partiers in an attempt to undermine them. The racist tag failed so they need something else. That just speaks volumes about how scared they are.

Dems are already saying they know they're going to lose the House this November. Some Dems are actually bragging that they voted against the healthcare bill. The big question is can the Tea Party folks turn things around when they get voted in?

 

[Andy A]

I was with you until you said it is disingenuous to bash a group until you attend one of their meetings.

Geo, I am talking about a local meeting not the national rallies so fairlycovered by our unbiased mainstream media.