Protesting

The government needs us to believe that the tea parties are a bunch of right wing loons, all lathered up in a racist fit of nationalistic pride that can only be outdone by a member of Mussolini's fan club.

The truth of the matter is far more complicated, and the national media looses credibility when one really looks into who is protesting and why.

To start it would be dishonest to claim that all tea party-ers are classical liberal ideologues who believe in the principles of freedom and equal rights for all. There are clearly tea party members that are clearly racist asses. But this is no less true of the left. Liberal supporting unions are filled with racist pigs equally as obnoxious. Racism isn't something that is unique to any human group or society.

But the real issue is that the government needs us to dismiss the tea parties as a bunch of kooks. Because if we listen to the message of smaller, more responsible government that actually follows the laws as specified in the constitution, it becomes a threat to the level of power currently wielded by the federal government.

The media ignores the fact that there is no evidence of racial taunting by protesters. Or evidence of people spitting. Despite dozens of people taping the entire event and an offer of a big bag of money for anyone who has anything to show.

The media ignores real violence by leftist (big government) protesters in California and Pittsburgh. But then again these people are not a threat to the federal government's power, just a threat to average citizens.

An honest review of the tea party movement would reveal a wide mix of politically conservative people who want responsible government. And within this group you will find both tolerant and intolerant people, conservatives and libertarians, people who are both socially liberal and conservative. Most of the people are not well trained in economics and politics and have difficulty in articulating how they really understand the problems. This I think is always a problem with populist movements.

But if you doubt my view as someone who has actually attended such demonstrations, perhaps you should come out and see one for yourself and talk to a few of your fellow citizens who feel moved enough to get up and speak out for the future of our country. If you rely on the traditional media outlets you will be grossly misled as to the true nature of who is at the heart of the tea parties.


Some fun viewing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0UIUdDMbeU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMdPTpOyUk4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjMF3y1ytQ&feature=related