What is the Tea Party?

Nothing says you have to agree but I was asked what the Tea Party is about. It makes perfect sense to me but then I've been around long enough to see many things happen in this nation so I'm sure my inclinations and observations are without merit because they have been formed by time and not elite intelligence.

elite intelligence as opposed to low intelligence?

I think the local tea party website is a good example of the "hyper-localness" of tea parties- they seem to differ by community. Some are still focused on the original fiscal conservatism and constitutional issues, but many have been commandeered the ultra-conservatives in their communities and diluting the original message with stuff like the Home Depot chain email crap and maintaining that Americans must be Christian to be true patriots.

IMHO two links on the entire web site does not characterize the entire group. But I agree stuff like that can be misconstrued, hence if the folks maintaining that site know what's good for their cause, they would not allow stuff like that to show up.

So you mean to tell me that when this "party" tried to have legislation passed this year that kept me from being able to pay union dues they were protecting me? I have news for you I had to sign a card saying I was ok with my dues being taken out of my paycheck. No one forced me to join. I joined for the same reason these people joined the Tea Party, they think it's the right thing to do. So, do me a favor and quit trying to stop my first amendment right of freedom of association. I don't throw stones at you while your getting together and I'm not about to lobby for legislation that makes your affiliation illeagle so stay out of my business and I'll leave you alone.

This statement is a completely false characterization of the legislation in question.

Andy A, I did not see that above quote when you first posted it. I hear things like that all the time about experience and being around for things, implying that this automatically gives you wisdom. That is a bunch of garbage. Everyone experiences life differently. Just because your old does not make you wise or smart. It just makes you old. You are the sum total of your life experiences and that is it. In your analogy none of us would be able to make an informed judgment on slavery because we were not around to see it. I have news for you intelligence or not I know right from wrong and I knew that slavery was wrong by the time I left first grade. American history is not really even taught in school these days nor is any type of history thanks to the FCAT. How can we stop ourselves from repeating our prior mistakes without knowing what has happened in the past?

I have something for you, go read up on President McKinley and see how closely what happened during his time as president parallels President Bush and the aftermath of the economy and how all that was solved. You would probably be surprised at what Teddy Roosevelt did for labor in this country.

I'll try one more time, though I doubt with the mindset express by so many here it will do any good because they only accept that part of what they read that they want to and discard all the rest. Here is a National explaination.

The Tea Party movement is a grassroots movement of millions of like minded Americans from all backrounds and political parties. Tea Party members share similar core principles supporting the United States Constitution as the Founders intended, such as:

*Limited federal government
*Individual freedoms
*Personal responsibility
*Free Markets
*Returning power to the states and the people

As a movement, the Tea Party is not a political party nor looking to form a third political party anytime soon. The Tea Party movement, is instead, about reforming all political parties and government so the principles of our Founding Fathers become, once again, the foundation upon which America stands.

The Tea Partier.net
This is pretty much what I believe and also what I think the Tea Party is basically all about.

This statement is a completely false characterization of the legislation in question.

Really? Then what was the point of the legislation? Was it to keep the strong arm unions from forcing me and others to pay union dues directly from our paychecks when we have already signed off on paying? Sounds like they are trying to make it harder for me to be in my union. We also, have an agreement in our contract that allows this. We have had members who with no trouble at all have stoped dues deductions and the state did not need to help them at all. Go to our website www.local3516.com and read up on the article called dues deduction. This whole thing was an attempt to weaken the unions of this state. When a state senator tells a group of firefightres in his office that these bills were just political payback for not supporting Rick Scott what do you think is the point? Who were his biggest supporters? I mean other than big business.

Also, can you tell me how these bills were going to create jobs, fix the economy and get Florida back on track? I sure don't see it.

Really? Then what was the point of the legislation? Was it to keep the strong arm unions from forcing me and others to pay union dues directly from our paychecks when we have already signed off on paying? Sounds like they are trying to make it harder for me to be in my union. We also, have an agreement in our contract that allows this. We have had members who with no trouble at all have stoped dues deductions and the state did not need to help them at all. Go to our website www.local3516.com and read up on the article called dues deduction. This whole thing was an attempt to weaken the unions of this state. When a state senator tells a group of firefightres in his office that these bills were just political payback for not supporting Rick Scott what do you think is the point? Who were his biggest supporters? I mean other than big business.

Also, can you tell me how these bills were going to create jobs, fix the economy and get Florida back on track? I sure don't see it.

Reduce government costs and insure union members have an solid understanding of what the union charges them. This isn't union specific either for me, payroll tax deductions should be abolished. It's a trick governments and organizations use to hide true costs from taxpayers / dues payers.

(None of this has anything to do with the fact that your original statement was dishonest, BTW.)

Do you even know how payroll tax deductions came about?

Also, how would that legislation reduced government costs? It could have cost more for some places. I'll give you an example. I am allowed to have my paycheck automaticly placed in my bank account. I can split this up between different accounts. All we would have had to do was have every member tell our employer that they wanted their dues to be direct deposited in to the union's bank account. If there is a charge for the multiple transactions then it would increase government costs where as right now we are just given a check and take care of that.

Also, this law would have been challenged in the courts (probably would have lost) thanks to the FL constitution and this would have cost taxpayers a bunch of money in court costs, but hey as long as we are being protected right?

I'll try one more time, though I doubt with the mindset express by so many here it will do any good because they only accept that part of what they read that they want to and discard all the rest. Here is a National explaination.

The Tea Party movement is a grassroots movement of millions of like minded Americans from all backrounds and political parties. Tea Party members share similar core principles supporting the United States Constitution as the Founders intended, such as:

*Limited federal government
*Individual freedoms
*Personal responsibility
*Free Markets
*Returning power to the states and the people

As a movement, the Tea Party is not a political party nor looking to form a third political party anytime soon. The Tea Party movement, is instead, about reforming all political parties and government so the principles of our Founding Fathers become, once again, the foundation upon which America stands.

The Tea Partier.net
This is pretty much what I believe and also what I think the Tea Party is basically all about.

what about he founding mothers? or the founding slaves? how about a whiteboy general for president? gawd bless amerikah, land of blue hair entitlements.

Also, how would that legislation reduced government costs? It could have cost more for some places. I'll give you an example. I am allowed to have my paycheck automaticly placed in my bank account. I can split this up between different accounts. All we would have had to do was have every member tell our employer that they wanted their dues to be direct deposited in to the union's bank account. If there is a charge for the multiple transactions then it would increase government costs where as right now we are just given a check and take care of that.

Payroll deductions cost money in terms of the individual transactions and the cost of managing the system. Ending the practice also places the responsibility squarely in the hands of the individual, which is where it belongs. The cost to the individual is low. For example I have automatic payments that are transferred via wire transfers set up with my bank.

If a union is convinced it's members consider their services valuable, what are they afraid of? I think we all know the answer to that. The union is afraid of the repercussions, which speaks volumes. Otherwise they wouldn't fight legislation like this, there would be no point.

Also, this law would have been challenged in the courts (probably would have lost) thanks to the FL constitution and this would have cost taxpayers a bunch of money in court costs, but hey as long as we are being protected right?

Why would unions challange the law if they know their members value their services?

I'll try one more time, though I doubt with the mindset express by so many here it will do any good because they only accept that part of what they read that they want to and discard all the rest. Here is a National explaination.

The Tea Party movement is a grassroots movement of millions of like minded Americans from all backrounds and political parties. Tea Party members share similar core principles supporting the United States Constitution as the Founders intended, such as:

*Limited federal government
*Individual freedoms
*Personal responsibility
*Free Markets
*Returning power to the states and the people

As a movement, the Tea Party is not a political party nor looking to form a third political party anytime soon. The Tea Party movement, is instead, about reforming all political parties and government so the principles of our Founding Fathers become, once again, the foundation upon which America stands.

The Tea Partier.net
This is pretty much what I believe and also what I think the Tea Party is basically all about.

But why have the homophobic links on the local site - if that isn't part of the 'core principals'? It is a huge turn off for many. Also, I have read many disturbing things said by Michele Bachmann, who once delivered a Tea Party response following President Obama's State of the Union address. She is very very homophobic.
Two of her MANY quotes on the subject: (just google and you will find many)

On homosexuality as a mental disorder: “Don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders.” — Senator Michele Bachmann, speaking at EdWatch National Education Conference, November 6, 2004.

On same-sex marriage: “… This is an earthquake issue. This will change our state forever. Because the immediate consequence, if gay marriage goes through, is that K-12 little children will be forced to learn that homosexuality is normal, natural and perhaps they should try it.” — Senator Michele Bachmann, appearing as guest on radio program “Prophetic Views Behind The News”, hosted by Jan Markell, KKMS 980-AM, March 20, 2004.

It is just too bad that the Tea Party couldn't have stayed as it was when it was first started by Ron Paul and his supporters. I have a feeling you are more along the lines of the original supporters Andy. Am I correct about that -maybe not IDK? My son was a huge Ron Paul (still is) supporter but can't stand Bachmann and any others who have turned the party into a "return to Christianity, gay bashing" agenda.

30a, It would have been challenged becuase we have rights. There are over 300 approved payroll deductions allowed in FL. I did not see anyone trying to end those.
In the end each member does benefit from membership, but you know as well as I do if you make something harder to be done then at the end of the day less people will do it. Which is write a check. I will say again we could easily have a portion of our pay redirected to another account which could cost some employers money based on how the direct deposit system works.

Have you figured out why your income taxes come directly from your check yet?

30a, It would have been challenged becuase we have rights. There are over 300 approved payroll deductions allowed in FL. I did not see anyone trying to end those.

I'd say we should end those as well then.

In the end each member does benefit from membership, but you know as well as I do if you make something harder to be done then at the end of the day less people will do it.

If people value services they will pay for them. It's no different than paying any other bill - cell phone, electricity, property taxes.. unions or any other group shouldn't be given special privileges.

I will say again we could easily have a portion of our pay redirected to another account which could cost some employers money based on how the direct deposit system works.

Independent of your actual pay, any costs incured should be paid for by the group receiving the funds right? That would be fair.

Have you figured out why your income taxes come directly from your check yet?

http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj14n3-1.html

To induce people into paying more than they would in cases where they paid directly out of pocket. This is the reason why groups such as yours fight the type of legislation proposed this spring.