The Inconsistency in the Tea Party

[idlewind]

1. Are there adherents to the Tea party who are inconsistent? YES.
2. Is there ideological differences within the Tea Party? YES
3. Are there a few "bad people" in the Tea Party? YES
4. Can these same questions be answered in the affirmative regarding any other group in existence? YES Even liberal groups? YES

5. Can people grow or change their minds? YES Even Marco Rubio? YES

The basic belief of the Tea Party is that government spending and regulation are out of control and the Federal debt is a threat to national security. There may be differences as to what needs cutting but the core belief is the same. The next hurdle for the Tea Party to overcome is to educate and convince its members that long term improvement will require short term pain. Changing the environment in Washington will be a bloody affair.

The final question: Is the Tea Party perfect? NO But at least it has moved the national debate in the right direction.

 

[poppy]

1. Are there adherents to the Tea party who are inconsistent? YES.
2. Is there ideological differences within the Tea Party? YES
3. Are there a few "bad people" in the Tea Party? YES
4. Can these same questions be answered in the affirmative regarding any other group in existence? YES Even liberal groups? YES

5. Can people grow or change their minds? YES Even Marco Rubio? YES

The basic belief of the Tea Party is that government spending and regulation are out of control and the Federal debt is a threat to national security. There may be differences as to what needs cutting but the core belief is the same. The next hurdle for the Tea Party to overcome is to educate and convince its members that long term improvement will require short term pain. Changing the environment in Washington will be a bloody affair.

The final question: Is the Tea Party perfect? NO But at least it has moved the national debate in the right direction.

Besides finding it strange someone would ask themselves questions the other strange thing is this quote from your post

long term improvement will require short term pain

That's what many feel is already taking place.

 

[idlewind]

Besides finding it strange someone would ask themselves questions the other strange thing is this quote from your post That's what many feel is already taking place.

The post was an attempt to answer the group's questions. It was an easy mechanism to "provide insight beyond the talking points."

As far as pain, you have not yet begun to see pain. Wait until the debt is 20 trillion dollars and all the baby boomers want their Social Security. And their healthcare. And the younger generation wants their student loans and aid for children and everyone wants a decent job and a decent wage. This is where we are headed if someone does not put on the spending brakes.

 

[GoodWitch58]

The post was an attempt to answer the group's questions. It was an easy mechanism to "provide insight beyond the talking points."

As far as pain, you have not yet begun to see pain. Wait until the debt is 20 trillion dollars and all the baby boomers want their Social Security. And their healthcare. And the younger generation wants their student loans and aid for children and everyone wants a decent job and a decent wage. This is where we are headed if someone does not put on the spending brakes.

Or, we could get really creative and decide that we were "going to the Moon" as we did in the sixties!

Think how it might be if all the negative energy that is put out in the airwaves these days, could be channelled into a positive vision...America is a great country--and we are better than all this acting out. We need people to act like adults and set a good role model for the younger generation; we need people to lead, or to follow, or to get out of the way...

 

[idlewind]

Or, we could get really creative and decide that we were "going to the Moon" as we did in the sixties!

Think how it might be if all the negative energy that is put out in the airwaves these days, could be channelled into a positive vision...America is a great country--and we are better than all this acting out. We need people to act like adults and set a good role model for the younger generation; we need people to lead, or to follow, or to get out of the way...

I agree totally. We need to set our national priorities and spend our tax dollars to fund those priorities. This starts with our leaders stopping the habit of promising the moon in order to get a vote.

 

[GoodWitch58]

We also need the elected folks to stop campaigning long enough to actually govern.

It is no secret here that my politics lean pretty far to the liberal side of the chart--at the same time, I think our system works best with an opposition party. But, the opposition party needs to have some responsibility for governing just as the party in charge does.

The "just say no" strategy worked for the republicans to get reelected; but, what has it done for actually governing of the country?

 

[Matt J]

What I've always found interesting is that even when times are good no one has ever uttered the phrase "Let's raise taxes". It has been a slow and steady mantra from the right to lower taxes no matter what the economic climate is. Unfortunately by doing this in the best of economic climates we now find ourselves having to raise taxes. This is both on a national and local level.

Wouldn't it make more sense to raise taxes when times are good, people tend to complain less when you are taxing their excesses instead of their basics.

 

[Lake View Too]

What I've always found interesting is that even when times are good no one has ever uttered the phrase "Let's raise taxes". It has been a slow and steady mantra from the right to lower taxes no matter what the economic climate is. Unfortunately by doing this in the best of economic climates we now find ourselves having to raise taxes. This is both on a national and local level.

Wouldn't it make more sense to raise taxes when times are good, people tend to complain less when you are taxing their excesses instead of their basics.

This is precisely correct. In my attempt to be a broken record: John Stockman, who was Reagan's budget director, and the architect of the biggest tax cut in history, said that tax cuts are wrong, wrong, and very wrong. He said we have been in an "illusion of prosperity for 30 years", and I understand what he is saying. Yes, we should cut as much spending as possible,including defense, but everybody says this will not make a dent. We have to raise taxes. It could be as gradual as possible , say 1 or 2 percent each year, but we have to start doing it.

 

[AndrewG]

Yes it has... but the "war" has just begun!

We won. Nothing further to discuss. Now fall in line like a good boy.

 

[AndrewG]

SWGB, you make bitter taste so good. It's only just beginning...

Apparently these are the only responses we're going to get. Notice the thorough references, thoughtful discourse, and use of smilies. :roll: