Tea Party

[Cheering472]

I support their right to voice their opinions, but where were they last year, or 4 years ago? They are complaining about taxation rates that were implemented under Bush and a Republican congress. Complaining now seems a little late.

Are they protesting possible future income tax increases? Bush (and the Republican congress) implemented a tax break for the wealthiest that included an expiration date. It's about to expire. Obama plans to let that expire. The tax break will stop for the top earners and the tax rate will go back to previous levels that were paid years ago. This is not a new tax, he's not raising it by going to Congress and asking for an increase. I believe he may well have to increase taxes across the board before this is over or our children will have to learn to speak Chinese.

Don't get me wrong. I don't like paying for all the programs and decisions the governent makes. I'm a pay as I go conservative spender. I'm upset that I paid for Social Security, but will never see it. I hate that wasteful spending has hurt our country. Many people don't like paying for "socialist" programs like Social Security or Medicare. Yet they'll certainly accept it. I didn't support the invasion of Iraq, yet paid taxes with a hopeful mindset that at least my money may help make our troops safer.

Sadly we don't get to pick and choose how they spend our money. Complain if you need to. Be involved and be heard. We still live in a wonderful country and I'll pay my taxes with as little angst as possible and drink my sweet tea with a little lemon. Carry on, I'm trying to control my blood pressure.

 

[Bob Wells]

Wasn't the original Tea Party because of the Taxation without representation problem. Do those involved in this current movement believe they are not represented reference taxation? What do those who participated/ support the Tea Party want the government to cut? Is there a consensus or is it a mish mash of ideas with no coherent objectives? If they do not believe their interest either as a group or as individual then they as a party or individual can run for office and work to affect change. Unfortunately I took from the Tea Party the same thing I took from the Throw the Bums Out movement, It brought people out gave them the opportunity to vent and will fall back. Take a look at Tallahasses, they have attemted, IMO, to cut out everything they can, in spite of the damage it is causing, IMO. I really believe the change will come when those who run for office won't be making a career in politics. Until that occurs, I will vote for the guy/ gal who more closely represents my beliefs.

 

[Lynnie]

Wasn't the original Tea Party because of the Taxation without representation problem. Do those involved in this current movement believe they are not represented reference taxation? What do those who participated/ support the Tea Party want the government to cut? Is there a consensus or is it a mish mash of ideas with no coherent objectives? If they do not believe their interest either as a group or as individual then they as a party or individual can run for office and work to affect change. Unfortunately I took from the Tea Party the same thing I took from the Throw the Bums Out movement, It brought people out gave them the opportunity to vent and will fall back. Take a look at Tallahasses, they have attemted, IMO, to cut out everything they can, in spite of the damage it is causing, IMO. I really believe the change will come when those who run for office won't be making a career in politics. Until that occurs, I will vote for the guy/ gal who more closely represents my beliefs.

Yes, it was about taxation without representation. And, from what I am reading/understanding, it's the same now with the bail outs (tax payer $$) with basically no representation. When you have 1,000+ pp. of bill proposed and it passed in (what was it?) 17-18 minutes, I have a pretty good chance at stating correctly that my representative did not read the documents.

But, the economy is getting better! When Texas secedes, get ready for the rest of us to have taxes increased! And, on the sordid tale continues~~~~~~

 

[Bob Wells]

Yes, it was about taxation without representation. And, from what I am reading/understanding, it's the same now with the bail outs (tax payer $$) with basically no representation. When you have 1,000+ pp. of bill proposed and it passed in (what was it?) 17-18 minutes, I have a pretty good chance at stating correctly that my representative did not read the documents.

But, the economy is getting better! When Texas secedes, get ready for the rest of us to have taxes increased! And, on the sordid tale continues~~~~~~

Won't disagree that they did not read it, but that does not mean we were not represented, maybe not represented well, but those are the folks we sent there to do the job. Unfortunately, I don't always agree with those I vote for, but I can do 2 things, vote against them next time, or run to have my entire view point represented.

 

[sunspotbaby]

Get your passports ready! You will need them to come visit DD and me.

Dam I didn't think about passports! I may be moving back!

 

[scooterbug44]

I think a lot of people need a lesson in what "taxation without representation" actually means.

It DOESN'T mean that the elected officials freely voted into office by the citizens of our country did something you don't like.

It DOESN'T mean protesting tax rates lower than or comparable to what you have previously paid.

It DOES mean being unfairly taxed by a government in which you have no voice - one where your leaders are not elected, one where you cannot vote, one where you cannot hold office at any level, and one where you do not get to voice your opinions or influence government policy in any way.

The original Tea party was about rebelling against an overseas hereditary monarch and using our economic clout to influence what happens to us because we couldn't vote and didn't have any representation in the government.

That change eventually got us a new form of government where every citizen could vote and be involved in their government - THAT'S how you change things, by contacting your representatives, by working for change, by being aware of what is going on - not by throwing tea and continuing to be unaware and uninvolved.

 

[Lynnie]

I think a lot of people need a lesson in what "taxation without representation" actually means.

It DOESN'T mean that the elected officials freely voted into office by the citizens of our country did something you don't like.

It DOESN'T mean protesting tax rates lower than or comparable to what you have previously paid.

It DOES mean being unfairly taxed by a government in which you have no voice - one where your leaders are not elected, one where you cannot vote, one where you cannot hold office at any level, and one where you do not get to voice your opinions or influence government policy in any way.

The original Tea party was about rebelling against an overseas hereditary monarch and using our economic clout to influence what happens to us because we couldn't vote and didn't have any representation in the government.

That change eventually got us a new form of government where every citizen could vote and be involved in their government - THAT'S how you change things, by contacting your representatives, by working for change, by being aware of what is going on - not by throwing tea and continuing to be unaware and uninvolved.

You're right. And, many believe that they aren't being represented, not represented fairly and certainly not heard. Perhaps there will be changes here soon......at least in the elections of 2010.

The protest in Boston was ironic as well because tea was so expensive. When you're fed up, you throw expensive tea into a harbor......sometimes, this shakes the powers that be up just a tad so they listen.

I think the Tea Parties yesterday (more to come as well most likely), were initiated because of that.....not because people are Anti-Obama. But, then again, I just don't think like that......what do I know regarding what really goes on in one's mind. Interesting times~~~~~

Cheers~~~~~~

 

[Bob]

You miss the point. What people are saying is we cannot continue to spend 4 trillion and collect 3 trillion. Either you cut spending or raise taxes. The tea parties are for those who choose to cut spending and do not want any more taxes. The truth is at this stage we have ourselves in such a mess that both will have to occur and the result will be painful. But I think we should cut spending first and only tax as a last resort.

where were the teabaggers during gw's reign of terror?

 

[Bob]

times up....the answer is that these protest are as much about racism as they are about taxes. no one said a word when bush buried us in red ink. scan the crowd photos for non white faces.

 

[scooterbug44]

They didn't buy & then throw their expensive tea in the harbor - they first refused to allow them to unload the tea, then when the governor wouldn't send the ships away w/ the unwanted tea, they crept aboard the ship dressed as Indians and destroyed the tea by throwing it in the harbor.

They didn't randomly destroy something to pitch a fit, they took further action when their initial attempts were thwarted.