Sadly, I believe the TPM WAS a grassroots movement, but before the tiny seedlings could take hold, the GOP came in with a lawnmower and smashed everything to smithereens. I doubt that 5% of the "movement" are real tea partiers. This is a GOP branch.

A grassroots movement doesn't hire the most popular GOP leader, who's enmeshed in Washington politic$ and the political elite to give their keynote address. And they certainly don't pay their speaker $100K!

That is NOT a grassroots movement...

I'm not surprised in the least that there are people trying to turn a profit off the Tea Party movement. At over $500 a ticket, it's rather blatantly obvious that this is nothing more than attempt to make money off the frustration many people are feeling. The founder of this particular group saying they are a for-profit organization only confirms the obvious.

The movement itself and most of the people involved truly are a grass-roots movement. A snake in the grass doesn't change that. Everyone just needs to be aware of who they are working with to prevent the snakes from taking charge and turning the whole movement into something it's not.

This article exemplifies the repugnant fact that corruption no matter the amount of profit, always starts out small and once people know there is money to be made, it becomes all about the money.

This is what is inherently wrong with America these days. It's all about making money and when the making gets easy, you begin surrounding yourself with those that will help you make more money and while you share the ability to make money, everyone that you share the ability to make money has to want to make money and this goes on and on until someone gets caught by the law and then there is a cover-up because of course no one wants anyone to know their so called professional pursuits are really just about making money.

We see that corruption and the quest for more and more money at all costs. When it begins to undermine the purpose of the Tea Party, it must make the establishment laugh to realize we will never be a threat to their power because they can begin to corrupt us wherever we are by just using money as the motivator. I am sure they also think they can bribe us for less money than it takes to bribe one of the so called elite elected representatives.

The enemy is corruption and once bitten by the vampire of greed, everything becomes about getting more and more until these criminals become blind with power and greed at all costs. The Tea Party has some challenges, but it also seems that the American public has some challenges as well. The America public must put a wooden stake into the heart of corruption in America because if we don't, the beast will continue to rise up and destroy everything that is good and decent.

I think everyone should start a cream and sugar movement to counteract the TPM.

I went to several Parties in the smaller community I am in. 250k population.

Yes, the 2 party snake Must destroy the movement or actual change could occur. The Dems and Repubs cannot allow their monopoly on power to change now. Just when they are THIS close to complete tyranny and control. We all saw the Republicrat back the Demoncrat in a recent election when the 3rd party candidate was going to win.

Go two party snake, you can destroy the US if you put your backs into it!

[edit on 1/26/2010 by endisnighe]