The Nurturing of the Tea Party Movement

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Is Freedom Works the same group that funded/created the fake grassroots website angry renters or something like that? in opposition to bailouts of mortgage foreclosures?
I haven't thought about that in a while.
Need some fresh reading on Freedom Works - TY


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yes. FreedomWorks | Lower Taxes, Less Government, More Freedom

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?

Google KATE ZERNIKE the author, she seems to have a "bone to pick" with the tea party folks as she has written NUMEROUS articles about them...I wonder if she gets paid by the article or the word count?

You are apparently deliberately choosing to misunderstand my post. I posted to ask a question about whether or not the people on this board who align with the Tea Party movement (AndyA and others) are okay with the support and underwriting of Freedom Works when the local groups seem to be identifying themselves as "regular people" with no affiliation. 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?

The fact that they were doing training was part of the article, but had little to do with my original question. Whether you chose to believe it or not, I was asking a serious question...it would have been nice if someone had bothered to answer it, rather than being sarcastic about something that was incidental to the question I asked. Perhaps I could have phrased it differently, or not posted the quote; I find it interesting that what the regular people around the country in the Tea Party groups/meetings say, and what the national group underwritten by Freedom Works says, are not the same thing--and much of the name calling and inappropriate behavior has come from people who have been bused into meetings by Freedom Works and who have used the Freedom Works talking points. It seems to me that if I were one of those regular people , I would not feel good about that.
I was just trying to find out what some of the regular people in this area thought about it.

And I answered your question I thought as one deeply involved in the tea party. The tea party has many organizations and participants. Freedomworks is one, Walton County Tea Party Patriots is another. There are hundreds more. Why does their participation mean that the others involved are not "regular,ordinary people?"
I like what Freedomworks stands for and felt that way before the advent of the tea party movement. Lower taxes, less government, more freedom. And I understand their view that you take a page out of the left playbook to make your point of view heard. As a great American once said: ?I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.? Barry Goldwater.

Walton County Tea Party Patriots

This website has a useful feature- a list of the contact info for our Federal representatives. All are listed with first and last names, except the President, who is listed as Obama.

I forgot to add that if you are anything BUT Christian, you might not be welcome. This local tea party follows the Christian only mindset...if you look at the section titled "What We Believe", you will find the following:

Return of Christianity upon which our country was founded.

Why oh why oh why do we have to be so divisive and make ugly boundaries when we all live in the good ol' USA? When did the Christians start making the rules for being a good patriot?:roll:

I forgot to add that if you are anything BUT Christian, you might not be welcome. This local tea party follows the Christian only mindset...if you look at the section titled "What We Believe", you will find the following:

Return of Christianity upon which our country was founded.

Why oh why oh why do we have to be so divisive and make ugly boundaries when we all live in the good ol' USA? When did the Christians start making the rules for being a good patriot?:roll:

Should we continue to break the populace down by income, or are we going to abolish that ugly boundary as well?

Walton County Tea Party Patriots

This website has a useful feature- a list of the contact info for our Federal representatives. All are listed with first and last names, except the President, who is listed as Obama.

That's appalling.

That's appalling.

And such a poor example to set for young people.

No matter what one's politics, respect for the office of president should be a given.

If all the Tea Party members in Walton County feel the office of president should not be shown respect, then I agree, that's appalling.

And such a poor example to set for young people.

No matter what one's politics, respect for the office of president should be a given.

If all the Tea Party members in Walton County feel the office of president should not be shown respect, then I agree, that's appalling.

Not all tea party advocates feel that way and there is a possibility it could be a typo. And I feel quite sure there are left wing groups who did the same or worse to Bush.

And I answered your question I thought as one deeply involved in the tea party. The tea party has many organizations and participants. Freedomworks is one, Walton County Tea Party Patriots is another. There are hundreds more. Why does their participation mean that the others involved are not "regular,ordinary people?"
I like what Freedomworks stands for and felt that way before the advent of the tea party movement. Lower taxes, less government, more freedom. And I understand their view that you take a page out of the left playbook to make your point of view heard. As a great American once said: ?I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.? Barry Goldwater.

thanks for answering. My understanding of what I have researched about the Tea Party movement is not that Freedom Works is one of the Tea Party groups; but that Freedom Works is underwriting the majority of the movement; not all, but most.,

that is what I am trying to get to--do the people who belong to the local groups know that the direction and game plan for the movement is coming from Freedom Works, a national organization designed to achieve a certain agenda?

Or do members think the group they belong to is a spontaneous group of like minded people who get no money or direction from Freedom Works? and just sprang up because people were fed up with "big government?"

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.

AndyA, the ironic and funny thing is that they are using Saul Alinsky, perhaps the most left-wing radical ever, and his handbook to teach the members of the Tea Party how to do community organizing.
Not sure if they are teaching them "the other side" or not. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/weekinreview/23alinsky.html?

Freedom Works appears to be underwriting the movement and my question was: do the regular members of all the groups, realize that the direction is coming from this organization and if so, how do they feel about that? That's all I was asking.

Not all tea party advocates feel that way and there is a possibility it could be a typo. And I feel quite sure there are left wing groups who did the same or worse to Bush.

Okay. It could be a typo. I emailed the contact person and shared my opinion of such a "mistake".
As a member of the group are you willing to check it out and if it's a typo have someone fix it?

Anyone who does this to any president needs to be called to task; no matter what another group has done, it does not make it okay for it to be replicated.

thanks for answering. My understanding of what I have researched about the Tea Party movement is not that Freedom Works is one of the Tea Party groups; but that Freedom Works is underwriting the majority of the movement; not all, but most.,

that is what I am trying to get to--do the people who belong to the local groups know that the direction and game plan for the movement is coming from Freedom Works, a national organization designed to achieve a certain agenda?

Or do members think the group they belong to is a spontaneous group of like minded people who get no money or direction from Freedom Works? and just sprang up because people were fed up with "big government?"

To the best of my knowledge the local groups in this area receive no funds from anyone outside and certainly take no direction from any umbrella group. The local groups are homegrown and seek like-minded people to join them.

But if Freedomworks is funding groups and coordinating; SO WHAT? Does that change the validity of the message or the depth of belief in those who belong and support them? Are left-wing groups the only ones who are allowed to organize and promote theri agenda?

Your questions are borderline insulting in that they hint that the people who belong to the tea party and believe in the mesage are mindless robots controled by the evil Dick Armey. I guess it is beyond belief that anyone could decide on their own that they want less government, less taxes and more freedom.

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.

But it's ok to champion the Constitution and bash another's religion you don't fully understand while having never attended one of their gatherings.

But it's ok to champion the Constitution and bash another's religion you don't fully understand while having never attended one of their gatherings.

I am not "bashing" anyone's religion but I will oppose a bunch of nuts who fly planes into buildings and kill innocent people.

AndyA, the ironic and funny thing is that they are using Saul Alinsky, perhaps the most left-wing radical ever, and his handbook to teach the members of the Tea Party how to do community organizing.
Not sure if they are teaching them "the other side" or not. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/weekinreview/23alinsky.html?

Freedom Works appears to be underwriting the movement and my question was: do the regular members of all the groups, realize that the direction is coming from this organization and if so, how do they feel about that? That's all I was asking.

A. You do not have to agree with his politics to learn from his methods of organizing.

B. Asked and answered.:roll:

Didn't Freedom Works have to move their headquarters due to death threats from the left yesterday?

Didn't Freedom Works have to move their headquarters due to death threats from the left yesterday?

Death Threats Force FreedomWorks to Move

The mild mannered, respectful, left wingers strike against those mean old conservatives and their vast right wing conspiracy.

This double standard is what makes people roll their eyes when the left whines about the tea party.

Notice how it's not big news because everyone knows where the real hate comes from.

To the best of my knowledge the local groups in this area receive no funds from anyone outside and certainly take no direction from any umbrella group. The local groups are homegrown and seek like-minded people to join them.

But if Freedomworks is funding groups and coordinating; SO WHAT? Does that change the validity of the message or the depth of belief in those who belong and support them? Are left-wing groups the only ones who are allowed to organize and promote theri agenda?

Your questions are borderline insulting in that they hint that the people who belong to the tea party and believe in the mesage are mindless robots controled by the evil Dick Armey. I guess it is beyond belief that anyone could decide on their own that they want less government, less taxes and more freedom.

Idlewind, I have not said there was anything wrong with it. Nor did I say it changed the validity of the message or the depth of belief..and I certainly did not say anyone could not organize and promote their agenda...I asked if the groups who claim independence are aware of the backing and underwriting of Freedom Works? That is all I wanted to know. Sorry if you feel that is borderline insulting...but it would not be the first time that a large organization had used an agenda to influence a group w/out the groups' awareness...and without being transparent about it. There is a lot of info about this in the research.

Perhaps you are reading more into my questions than is there... I think we have exhausted the issue. Thanks for your replies/thoughts.

I know this thread is about FreedomWorks and whether or not TP members were aware of their involvement. But I just had some thoughts come to mind about my impressions of the tea party that I want to share.

We hear from good people who are involved with the tea party that the group's cornerstones are small government, lower taxes, responsible spending. And I say time and time again that I can get behind this. But the TP doesn't let me because they have mucked it all up-

The TP in theory is a group of nonpartisan like minded citizens who are fed up with government and the direction the country has gone. They are rising up to throw the bums out. Man oh man- that would work if that's what it was about in practice.

Instead the TP comes off as an anti-Obama spin off of the Republican party. I think where the TP is going wrong is allowing opportunistic Republicans and news media outlets (FOX NEWS) to go from being the tail to wagging the dog.

My analysis leads me to believe that the TP will make little difference in November this year. To clarify- I believe democrats will take a hit in the midterms and maybe even a big one. But I believe this would have happened anyway because A) this is the trend of midterm elections and B) there is national frustration with the poor economy/unemployment and dissatisfaction with President Obama. But all the tea party is doing IMHO is insuring that the folks who would have voted opposite of democrat regardless actually make it to the polls. I do not see the TP providing independents or dems with much to think about.

There is a thread that Glenda started about Charlie Crist. I believe he is onto something with his message and his tone and the new positioning of himself he is using. If the TP remained independent of (and above) the Republican party and of Fox News and used a message/tone more like Crist and stuck to their supposed cornerstones of small government, lower taxes, responsible spending---

WOW- I believe the ground would shake.

As is- I think we just see the Republican party trying something new. And that is a shame for folks like Andy A. and others whom I believe are the real deal.

Glenda, I do not believe the issue has been exhausted at all. You asked the question who is the leader of the Tea Party Movement? If you will go to the 8 minute segment of the Newsmax.com interview with Dick Armey, your question will be answered. You may not like or agree with the answer but it will be answered. In fact, you might find the whole 10 minute interview with Mr Armey and the head of Freedom Works interesting. I know I did, and a big thank you to Idlewind for posting the link so we could all further our education. And thank you, Glenda, for broadening my horizons by making me research Freedom Works to find out more about it. Maybe our local Tea Party group will petition them for some financial support since as far as I know, only what we donate at our meetings is what we get.

AndyA, I guess I was refering to the "talking past each other " that Idlewind and I seemed to be doing, not the overall issue.

I do not recall asking who the leader of the Tea Party was/is...I was asking if the members of all the local groups realized that the funding and campaign "direction" was being underwritten by Freedom Works which is underwritten, in part, by the Koch brothers ?http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5729456/koch_brothers_becoming_politicians.html

I have seen the videos and actually done quite a bit of research and reading on this subject for a project I am working on...I think I have a pretty good idea of what the movement is about in general. I am just interested in the question of transparency and integrity...from the local point of view, that's all.

Obviously, I don't agree with much of what I read/see/hear from the Tea Party given my politics, but I was not trashing or bashing the group; I was just asking for some information.

Sorry, Glenda, I thought I had read that you asked who the leader of the Tea Party is. There have been many that have and I thought I read it in one of your posts. The point is, there is no one leader at this time. That is the beauty of the movement in its present form. That is not to say this will not change in the future, though I do not see the movement evolving into a 3rd party. As far as Geo's assertion that it is part of the Republican party, I think he is wrong. I will readily admit that it is closer to the Republican party due to its ideals and goals but will maintain it encourages all with the ideals and goals it expresses to join them. It is probably the most "unevil" political force in the nation today.

Don't TP candidates run as Republicans? Are there any running as Independents or Democrats (or other)?

As far as Geo's assertion that it is part of the Republican party, I think he is wrong. I will readily admit that it is closer to the Republican party due to its ideals and goals but will maintain it encourages all with the ideals and goals it expresses to join them. It is probably the most "unevil" political force in the nation today.

Andy, I really am attempting to keep an open mind. But as I keep digging I arrive at the same place-

It seems the members of the TP movement are Republicans, the TP candidates are Republicans, the TP needs the Republican Party and the Republican Party needs the TP.

Just calling it like I see it, you saying you readily admit that the TP is closer to the Republican party than the Democratic party is like saying that Grayton Beach is closer to Destin than is the Jersey Shore.