Where'd all the Tea party enthusiasm go?

Last year the tea party protesters gathered in their thousands upon washington, all fired up and ready to take down the DC establishment. The establishment which was conveniently at the time majority Democrat and the first months of Obama. This supposed protest came of many things, the government bail outs, spending, government size, taxes, establishment, you name it. This was suppose to be a united citizen front, as diverse as the differences between a disgruntled Ohion Republican to the north and a disgruntled former Texan Republican to the south.

Well if anything, considering the 2010 elections now would have been the perfect time for the tea party protesters to show true independence. After all, this was a movement against both parties right? So where are the tea party rallies demanding more third party involvement? If this was not a Republican hijacked movement, where are the third party rallies? Well apparently there are numerous issues listed, one being that the movement internally has been divided:

A Tea Party convention billed as the coming together of the grass-roots groups that began sprouting up around the country a year ago is unraveling as sponsors and participants pull out to protest its expense and express concerns about “profiteering.”

The convention’s difficulties highlight the fractiousness of the Tea Party groups, and the considerable suspicions among their members of anything that suggests the establishment.

The convention, to be held in Nashville in early February, made a splash by attracting big-name politicians. (Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech.) But some groups have criticized the cost — $549 per ticket and a $9.95 fee, plus hotel and airfare — as out of reach for the average tea partier. And they have balked at Ms. Palin’s speaking fee, which news reports have put at $100,000, a figure that organizers will not confirm or deny.

www.nytimes.com...

Yes. Apparently the leaders of the movement woke up it being used for profiteering and political gain. As if the the Republican politicians participating in these events and the corporate sponsors last year were not evident enough, now folks are only awake to that fact. I mean what better way to represent the movement as independent and anti-establishment by following of all people, Palin.

But that doesnt seem enough for an explanation. Maybe enthusiasm for protesting has gone down because this so called "independent" movement that supposedly rallied against both parties, is too busy rallying and praising one of them? Yep, it appears the tea party movers are pushing Republican for 2010! Hows that for anti-establishment!

www.freedomworks.org...

www.freedomworks.org...

teapartypatriots.org...

taxdayteaparty.com...

The day these tea party protests started, I knew right from the start is was just another Republican astroturf campaign. Likewise many denied it, claiming this was against "both parties" arguing the acknowledgement of "both parties" among the anger, as this had nothing to do with Obama winning the election. I didnt believe word of it, as thats exactly what an astroturf campaign is, a disguise and denial of any political motive. So the fact there are for the time being not as big of a turn out to rally third party as the supposed independent movements against DC last year should be evident enough. Actually the fact many of these protesters sat indoors for the duration of the Bush administration should have been clue enough back then. This was a Republican-corporate controlled movement from the start, and their actions now just as in history should be all the more evident.

Now I cannot argue that every single individual in this movement were silent republican supporters. Its true many real independent third party conservatives joined up thinking this was the real deal. The fact of the matter however was that the basis of the population in this movement was just that, the disgruntled Republican of the 2008 election. The movement had and is being controlled and managed by the corporations and Republican advocates behind the scenes and there are agendas behind the scenes that conflict against the said values of the movement.

What about the supreme court ruling by the 5 judges over corporations and their rights to unlimited funding and campaigning? Part of the protests were against the lobbyists and the fact they need to be kicked out of DC so isnt it rather hypocritical we dont see the same turn out now? Where are they?

The excuses about this astroturf campaign will continue nevertheless, and I expect nothing less from tea party advocates. I'll just let the actions speak for themselves, and let people continue their denial. Its a shame there is yet to be a real independent third party movement as this nation is well overdue for one. There will always be political differences, but the need for third party movements of both sides should be something to look toward.

[edit on 26-1-2010 by Southern Guardian]

Like anything else it was coopted.

The very nature of the so-called grass-roots teabagger being limited government and greater personal liberty lends it to not mesh well with leaders, or figureheads, or even base organization.

They bailed on it long ago. Back to their lonely and wholly unpopular libertarian holes. Freedom may be popular but fear and dependence obviously trump freedom in this day and age.

The real 'teabaggers' are sitting right where they've always been for the past 300 or so years. Futily trying to convey personal liberty ans limited gov philosophy only to have some faker like Washington or Reagan or Obama or Palin twist it all up and fill it with caveats that exploit the fears and dependence of the stupid voting mass.

Sooner or later they'll get fed up. Most of them already are. Trouble is everyone hits their breaking point at different times and by nature they mistrust organization so in practice 'fed up" translates to "give up" and they just crack open a book and kill time till they die.

Longing for freedom is a sad state. Knowing there will never be any is a destetute state. Convincing people to chose the rough trail with the 60 degree incline is next to impossible. Regardless of how rewarding the trail is they always pick the horizontal paved path and still would drop to their knees and suck one for a ride.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Alot of your so called "astro-turf" organization here in Rhode Island mobilized in Mass. to help with the Brown campaign. HOPEFULLY all incumbents will find themselves unemployed in the up coming elections.

They are still around and they are still pissed. They need only to never polarize or fall in league with one party or another. Sorry for your parties loss with Coakley SG...

What do you want them to do or what do you want to see?

I think Virginia, N.J. & Mass are some strong signs that they are out there being influential and getting rid of what they preceive as a problem. Not to mention that in every poll for any major political office is being captured by Republicans.

And now, thanks to the Supreme Court, it will be even easier to get money to fund their political ads.

As far as a "good 3rd party". Not a good idea as the US is set up for a two party system. A 3rd side would make it a little to complicated to an already complicated process. The teabaggers are using the Republican platform and party means to get what they want.

Rest assure, if it was the Demo's and Liberals messing up so poorly and the Republicans were trying to force healthcare and the rest of the socialist agenda, they (teabagggers) would be using the Demo Party.

It will continue.... The silence is errie.... Rest assure, they are not done getting these bumbs out of office.

reply to post by Southern Guardian


There are many people working outside of the political mainsteam for viable third parties. The Tea Party gives people a venue to blow off steam but doesn't really offer anything else. Without a platform or stable leadership it will be relegated to the dustbin of history. And it makes the rest of us look bad. Now when I am stumping for my chosen party, I get to hear: "Are you guys like those tea party folks?" There are plenty of third parties out there with platform, members, etc. Find one that works for you and work for it.

reply to post by Southern Guardian


Real tea partiers think Palin and Brown are a bunch of socialist bums.

Both of them are war mongering fascists that support bailouts and big government.

There reason the movement is supposedly fractioned is because the people that attend those rallies know republicans are a bunch of bums. When organizers put people like Palin on the stage, they instantly loose the grass roots support.

The tea party is not really fractioned, the only "fractioned" part are the republican astro-turfers that attempted to co-op the movement.

Originally posted by Doom and Gloom
Alot of your so called "astro-turf" organization here in Rhode Island mobilized in Mass. to help with the Brown campaign. HOPEFULLY all incumbents will find themselves unemployed in the up coming elections.

Yes, you simply added another GOP member to the flock. After this party was in part responsible for much of this nations debt, in part supported the bail out (many republicans did including Bush who signed it), supported the continuation of troops in Iraq and afghanistan, had their own appointed supreme court judges give up DC to the highest corporate bidder last week (nevermind the lobbyists ya'll were protesting last year) and yet here you are rallying another candidate to their flock.

You are essentially supporting the party that was responsible for many of the cr*p that came about in 2008 that supposedly pushed your protests. That doesnt make sense to me.

Is Brown some how different from the rest of the GOP?? Where have I heard that one again. But yes thankyou for confirming where your true support lies.... right back into the establishment in DC.

reply to post by Southern Guardian


I made a thread about this a few days ago...it was pretty much ignored so I'm glad at least someone is looking at this one.

What about the supreme court ruling by the 5 judges over corporations and their rights to unlimited funding and campaigning? Part of the protests were against the lobbyists and the fact they need to be kicked out of DC so isnt it rather hypocritical we dont see the same turn out now? Where are they?

I agree 100 percent. This kicks the doors down for any legitimacy in government as corruption will flood through.

Looks like it's going to get worse before it's enough for people to really come together.

It's hard to do when everything is destroyed before it even gets started.

I want a populist movement...and I know that many of these people really have good intentions...

As for ATS.....

The BLATANT hypocrisy of some of the members here is disgusting. They don't care though.

They'd rather have trans-national corporations run the country...communists, facists....COME ON IN!!!!

It's ridiculous.

Originally posted by mnemeth1
Real tea partiers think Palin and Brown are a bunch of socialist bums.

Oh I dont doubt that Mnemeth. In part thats what brought upon some of the split, that there was too many connections to the DC establishment, that the corporations were getting too involved in this movement, that the movement was giving into the GOP. There were a minority within the movement that felt what I had stated in my OP, but they are unfortunatly a minority.

It may have been beneficial to see the tea parties rally third party because that would have atleast pushed liberal voters to rally a third party of their own, and would have done both sides some good to cut loose from the established two parties. Its unfortunate that didnt really happen, but I cant say im surprised by it.

The tea party is not really fractioned, the only "fractioned" part are the republican astro-turfers that attempted to co-op the movement.

Who happen to make up the majority of the movement. Its hard to say the Republican side is the only one fractioned when they take up the bulk of the movement and when they have been the driving force.

reply to post by Southern Guardian


I don't think that.

Republican lackeys aren't mad enough to actually go out and protest.

Its the people that really understand the evil behind big government that are out there.

The tea party rallies evolved around Ron Paul's campaign.

Thus we see when big government statists like Palin are called into speak, the party attenders boycott.

Hi SG,

Funny just about 10 days ago I remember posting about this on one of those rants that gets me excoriated.

It's no mystery they are bound by very thin ideological fiber.

Too many personal versions of Liberty, leads to a micro scenario where they sound like we do here except there are 20+ factions at any given TP function.

Also speaks volumes about the "Plan".

Let's see what this thread brings forth?

S&F

Cheers

Ziggy


[edit on 26-1-2010 by ziggystrange]

Originally posted by mnemeth1
reply to post by Southern Guardian

 

I don't think that.

Republican lackeys aren't mad enough to actually go out and protest.

Say that to the organisations managing these rallies and their connections to the Republican party. Have a look at the sources of my OP and my references, then tell me your movement isnt connected.

How can it be any clear? Even Doom and Gloom made it clear which party he was rallying for in 2010 for the tea parties.

Its the people that really understand the evil behind big government that are out there.

And yet they follow right behind republican speakers and Republican sponsored organisations, responsible for much of the big government over the last 10 years.

The tea party rallies evolved around Ron Paul's campaign.

How many turned out to Ron Pauls tea parties in 2007 before the Democrats took power? Why dont you compare the numbers?

Thus we see when big government statists like Palin are called into speak, the party attenders boycott.

How many boycotted on the tax day tea party protests when republican speakers attended? Turns out that 200,000 came out nation wise. What about the Glenn Beck sponsored 9/12 event that involved certain republican attendeess? Nevermind the fact fox news is right in the tank for the GOP, 70,000 tea party protests still turned out.

What about this little gem here?



It could not be anymore clear Republican involvement when Republican politicians arrange the protests. How many tea party folks turned out to that? It could not be anymore clear but you continue to turn a blind eye.


[edit on 26-1-2010 by Southern Guardian]

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere

The very nature of the so-called grass-roots teabagger being limited government and greater personal liberty lends it to not mesh well with leaders, or figureheads, or even base organization.

Limited government and personal liberty were hallmarks of the Reagan philosophy. How are Tea-Partiers substantially different from Reagan Republicans? True, Reagan, despite his philosophy, found himself in charge of a very large government, but that would happen to a Libertarian too, if he or she were themselves elected President.

My next question is how are libertarians substantially different from anarchists? I knew some anarchists in my undergraduate days, and basically their platform was unlimited personal liberty too. No laws. No military. No police force even. They believed (naively, I thought) that people would naturally find ways to live together without any outside coercion. Why people would not simply resort to brute force and survival of the biggest and bloodiest was never clear to me.

So basically what you define as the objectives of the tea-partiers are offshoots of movements that have pretty well existed from the beginnings of the country.

Maybe you could define tea-partiers as somehow purer than the present-day Republican or Democratic Parties, but unless they are more extreme it seems they will be hard put to differentiate themselves from the more mainstream political movements that more or less embrace many of the same objectives.

Teabaggers have been divided into smaller groups .. right at this moment .. these groups are in war with each other to see who is the best teabagger ..

I am loving it ..

Maybe this fragmentation can bring out the ones who AREN'T the misinformed general population...the ones that can protest big government and spending, without throwing out silly things like Obama not being a US citizen.

That I can welcome, even if the policies aren't what I'd support.

Originally posted by Sestias

You answered your own question about Reagan. A single Libertarian elected POTUS would certainly find himself in a similar position of futility.

My next question is how are libertarians substantially different from anarchists?

Not much really. Then, conservatism at its purist is not far off from anarchy. The whole boondoggle of 'conservatism' as it's used today is offensive by comparison.

The greatest difference between the two is simply image. One being some drugged up kid who gets wood from breaking glass, the other some guy in his 30's with a wife and kids who just wants to be left alone.

As to why we wouldnt resort to some Road Warrior-esque lifestyle full of pain and suffering is material for a different thread. The simple and short answer is to look at the futility of mans law (has it ever prevented any crime, ever?) then to ask yourself if suddenly tomorrow there wre no laws against murder or rape would you, or anyone you know, run out to murder and rape? Anyone who would not simply based on legality is a sociopath and has no place among the civilized.

Maybe you could define tea-partiers as somehow purer than the present-day Republican or Democratic Parties, but unless they are more extreme it seems they will be hard put to differentiate themselves from the more mainstream political movements that more or less embrace many of the same objectives.

Comparing libertarianism or roots conservatism or simply the most basic reason why this country exists in the first place to the Dems and the Reps is a pretty extreme difference. Sadly, as I touched upon in my first post, most people are uncertain or afraid of freedom so they stay with the status quo. Regardless of how much pain it causes them.

[edit on 26-1-2010 by thisguyrighthere]

reply to post by Southern Guardian



I am not an advocate for one party or another. Not one single elected official is worth a piss. In my honest opinion the entire governmental body needs to be scrapped. I honestly do not feel that there is any political idea, party or theory that will work as long as the human race is involved. So please do not confuse me with being a Republican or Democrat. You have to honestly agree that there needs to be an actual change in Washington. The 2 party system is not working as they are all corrupt.

reply to post by Southern Guardian


If neo-con republicans make up the bulk of the tea partiers, the tea parties in question would not be getting canceled due to boycotts.

Your own reporting refutes your claims.



[edit on 27-1-2010 by mnemeth1]

Please, go on and believe, shout to high Heaven, that the GOP, FOX, Bush and Neocons control the Tea Party Movement.

In the meantime, we will continue to support the conservative, small government candidates that best reflect our values. Regardless of formal affiliations.

We will follow up on the statewide VA, NJ, and MA victories, and the NY23 regional close-call, with more grass-roots support and more victories over the "progressives" who hide behind benign platitudes or party labels, hoping to disguise their far-left agendas and ride Obama's tattered coattails into office.

Please, by all means, distract your brethren by focusing your attacks on imaginary loyalties to FOX, the GOP, "Bushies," and whatever boogeymen you fear the most.

We will move forward. We will win again. And again. (If GOP members want to adopt our principles, great. If not, too bad.)

Please, continue. I dare you.

jw

p.s: perhaps you should remind your president and lackeys that "actions speak louder than words."

[edit for post script]

[edit on 27-1-2010 by jdub297]

reply to post by David9176


What recourse is left to us when our government refuses to redress grievances? SCOTUS is nothing but a scam,This last ruling on campagin finance is sickening.