GOP Fails to Hijack Maine Tea Parties
So my first tea party is over and its time to look back on what was achieved.
I think there are several ways of looking at the events nationwide. From what I have seen, there was none of the promised trouble from anti-tea party activists, though there were plenty of problems for those brave souls who volunteered to organize local events.
Things were not much easier for the state coordinators, some of whom were finding out about additional tea parties the evening before tax day. Even with all the new technology, we were faced with people who didn’t communicate, dodgy mobile phone reception, frozen and overfilled email accounts, hacked websites, and people who were trying to take over the day’s events for their own partisan aims.
It became obvious along the way that many of those who signed up to arrange events did not know the hassles and annoyances that come with this sort of endeavor. I was able to help people locally and nationally deal with some of the ins and outs of dealing with the media. (In fact, a few kind souls on a conference call took notes which can be found here. These might prove useful the next time you encounter journalists.)
We can all agree that the national effort was a cracking success. We should all be very proud. There were problems that could have been avoided if certain decisions had not been made at the national level. One of the major mistakes made by the national movement was the ill-conceived decision to accept the help of Newt Gingrich and his American Solutions organization. Gingrich is a very divisive and high-profile Republican. His entry into the movement marked the beginning of a campaign by Republican groups to take over and ruin the non-partisan cred.
This decision gave a cudgel to the mainstream media and those on the other side. National Republican attempts to sponsor the tea parties did not help either. The following was posted on a Maine forum after the announcement Newt Gingrich was on board.
Sounds like the perfect event for Republicans to gather together to lament the fact that they lost the election, and that the Democrats are running the country because the people elected them to do so. Also a good time to forget how the Rs under Bush spent like crazy, grew government, and left office with the country in a mess. Should be fun to watch all the teeth gnashing!
Gingrich’s attempt to co-opt the tea parties had the effect of creating an opening at the top. Previously there had be no pyramid, no organizational head. It also gave Republicans an excuse to “move in” on tea parties and it provided a reason for more fringe groups to have tea parties to “counter” alleged “control” over events.
Amen to that! Those mofos have lost the faith of Conservatives. They had NO right to try and claim credit or clamor their fat arses on the podium or butt-in on an otherwise grass-roots movement.
EFF ‘em all!
Everybody is mad at the government, even illegal aliens…. What a country !!!
The GOP is desperate right now. They couldn’t win an election for toilet cleaner. They just blew a special election in NY 20 where Republican registration outnumbers Democratic registration by over 70,000. The Democrat, Murphy, is coasting now to a decent lead as absentees are counted. Even the military ballots, traditionally Republican territory, are trending Democratic. It would seem that the word Republican is synonymous with gonorrhea. Nobody wants it . . .
None of the entrenched, corrupt, politicians really get it. Republicans especially, if they’re not Patriots we want them gone. The Tea Parties were the opening volley of a seachange in 2010.
Sorry, but the Tea Parties are going to be tied directly to the GOP because it’s true. The Fox News talking pint about it being all Americans isn’t going to fly. Here’s our message . . . “The GOP is the party of white angry Americans. Just look at the Tea Parties.” Looks like you’re going to have to find some dark people to bus in . . . oh, wait, you’re opposed to bussing.
The politicians think that we are so dumbed down that that all they have to do is show up and we will fall all over them. Their lies and corruption is finely catching up with them. Our aim should be to get rid of them all. This country needs a new start with an old piece of paper( The Constitution of the United Statyes of America).
“…in states like Maine and Pennsylvania, where it’s hard to tell some of the senior Republicans apart from Democrats.”
How true….and in many states besides ME and PA. Republican Party leaders better start to “get it” before the conservative base deserts them entirely. I receive weekly pleas for $$$ from the national Rep Party but refuse to return one thin dime, and the same goes for the Washington State Republicans. Get it together or we will, when true leaders emerge, get it together under another banner.
Bill Perron: And I could give a #*@&!+% what any illegal alien thinks.
Yep, right now I don’t want democrats nor republicans. The republicans that have been in office for the past decade or so have let us down. They are not really conservative, and they need to be sacked and shunned.
If not for the fact that the entire NE quadrant of the United States continuously votes for their very own serfdom time and again no matter how bad are Rangel, Dodd, Franks, Snowe, Spector, Murtha, Collins, Clinton, Schumer etc., etc., you may just have a point here.
Personally, nothing will change the serfs who must vote for their serfdom, decade after decades from one generation of serfs to another and at this point I am leaving NE quadrant of serfdom and heading for freedom.
And…I am taking my tax dollars with me! When Maine and surrounding states of serfdom is slobbering all over its slavermaster-in-chief just to get some spoiled rice and beans DO NOT LOOK TO THOSE LIVING IN FREEDOM TO BAIL YOUR OUT!
Conservative principles did not screw Maine, the principles guiding Serfdom screwed the useful idiots who continusiouly voted for their serfdom.
Voters voted for this, now they must suck on the misery they elected.
And another thing…what about all the Darwinian apes evolving in PA who vote king poker John (traitor) Murtha (D) for three decades?
What do the Darwinian apes give that traitor? an award for bravery.
The problem is not the party , the problem is that none of the ENTRENCHED serfs get it; they VOTED for their slavemasters.
I don’t know anything Newt however since 9/11/2001 I do know that the VOTERS keep VOTING into office Murtha, Franks, Dodd, Schumer, CLinton, Snowe, Collins, Spector, Rangel and all the other con artists.
I cannot wait to leave Serfdom and head for Freedom, taking my tax dollars with me.
Good. Keep the politicians out at this point.
‘Everybody is mad at the government”
This is a fallacy since VOTERS keep electing Franks, Dodd, Schumer, Murtha, Snowe, Collins, Clinton, Rangel and this is just the east coast VOTERS for Serfdom…there still remains the Kingdom of Serfdom called California where serfs VOTE to ELECT Pelosi, Boxer, Waxman, Schwarzenegger.
The VOTERS voting for SLAVERY are the problem so they should really be mad at themselves for voting into power one slave sucker after another.
Question, just how many of the slave suckers got out the vote for Bill Russell in order to defeat king poker John Murtha(D)?
My guess is not one Serf voted against John Murtha (D); again, the problem is that the Serf VOTE for their SLAVERY and only have themselves to blame for empowering their Slavemaster.
Until the VOTER stops electing Slavemasters they will never be free; politicians pander however, it is the VOTERS who are suckers for Slavery….one generation after another.
Praetorian – and the Democrats are better? Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, “Rat face” Waxman, Barney Frank, Ted Kennedy, Maxine Waters, Debbie Staubenaur, etc. etc. I certainly would not leave them alone in my house, not alone with my dogs, and I certainly wouldn’t allow them near my kids. A true pack of jackals. They’re some of the most despicable people walking the planet today but since I assume that you’re a hard-core leftists “jack-ass” then of course the creeps in the GOP are worse and yes, many of them are creeps. The GOP has failed because their leaders haqve tasted the “good life” and become Democrats “Lite”. That’s something you and others like can not understand.
Sadly, I do not think the split in this nation is repairable. The difference between people like you and me is too great and neither side is willing to give an inch. I know I don’t want to live in a nation with the value system you hold dear, and I’m sure you feel the same way.
I do not see the Democratic Party relinquishing power in a peaceful way. It’s just not what they’re about.
There MUST be a Tea Party on July 4 or this one will be a footnote with no real substance. Of course, and I have my doubts, 2010 must show a change in who is in Congress leadership.
GEORGE BUSH LED THE COLLAPSE OF THE G.O.P. Let us not look back in anger.
THE DEMONCRAT SOCIALISTS ARE UNBEATABLE. Nor forward in fear.
WE NEED INSPIRED LEADERS, WHERE ARE THEY ? Look around in awareness.
8. Saltherring: . . . “Bill Perron: And I could give a #*@&!+% what any illegal alien thinks.”
Funny, that’s the same thing Mitt Romney said when he hired them to do his yardwork.
Another doofus goes down for the count!
Mr Dodge, thank you for signing on for the fight…are the tea parties going to continue? I hope so, or that the movement keeps growing, I can’t remember, there were other protests after tea in 1773-76. Finally, neither political party should be involved, we are protesting the status quo in government: the buying out of the electorate, with money from taxes that have yet to be raised…whether right or left in power. Great article.
What I see in the tea parties are the citizens of this country who pay thir taxes and think that money is wasted. I see people who think that trying to resurrect the borrow and consume economy of 2005 at a cost of trillions is foolish and doomed. Especially when there is no debate as to what is being done or how it is being done. The Government, and the federal Reserve are spending trillions of dollars with no public debate whatsoever.
The large banks and the federal reserve control the money and the financial system of this country. Both political parties are in the banks pocket, and so is the media .
Please please please get a person with a prepaired statement next time. Stating that the common man needs a bailout is straight from the Code Pink text book. Seriously in most parts of the state that is what we head on the news.
What will not be so funny about the smart-a$$es that are making comments on this post is when the 250 trillion in debt this country has will find us ALL in the breadlines at the mercy of Obama and his henchmen.
There is absolutely NO way we can pay off even the interest that is piling up on our indebtedness, let alone the principle ammount. Just how do you expect a quarter of a quadrillion to be paid off when our GDP is only 14 trillion a year? Doesn’t anyone know math? We know Obama doesn’t, but does that mean the rest of us have to act like a bunch of idiots as well?
The Tea Parties were a great start. It gave voice and focus to the critical issue and that is the necessity for Government, at all levels to be Fiscally Responsible, Limited in Scope and Faithful to the compact enacted to give our government it legitimacy, The Constitution. If the fight to restore a government, true to the founding principals is not successful, then further conversations about social issues are irrelevant. And, I agree that it is essential that there be a followup on July 4th.
Many people have expressed a willingness to support candidates from third or fringe parties if they adhere to core principals. While noble in intent, this is a sure way to make certain the Statists stay in power. Remember 1992? Ross Perot’s campaign only served to elect Bill Clinton.
Many are waiting for new leadership to evolve that will galvanize the “movement” and lead the way to electoral success. But waiting for someone else to raise will reduce the chances that it will actually happen.
Organizers of the Tea Party events were correct in keeping politicians out. Rather than allowing the Republican Party to co-op the Tea Parties, the reverse needs to happen. The Tea Party participants need to take over the Republican Party. It already has the organizational structure to operate at all levels of government as well as the mechanism for primaries. But it needs new leadership.
There will be thousands of local elections between now and November 2010. This is where we can begin to take back our Government. Want to break the power of the Teachers Union? Put true Conservatives on the School Board. Gain control of the City Council and County Board and start searching for a new generation of candidates to run for Congress.
We actually have the opportunity to completely change the direction of the country by electing a new majority to the House and a third of the Senate. From this new group of leaders will emerge those who can take the White House away from the current occupants.
If everyone who attended a Tea Party would register with their local Republican Party so they have a vote in its leadership and devote just one day a month to active participation, there will be a totally new Republican Party by this time next year with a whole new slate of candidates dedicated to right sizing the Government, Personal Responsibility and an Accountable Capitalist Economy. If those who we elect change when they get to Washington, they need to know that those who put them there are paying attention and will fire them as soon as the next election.
We can no longer wait for someone else. Recent polls show that 50% of adults in this country favor the Socialist agenda. Those are the same 50% who no longer pay taxes. And their representatives in Congress and this Administration have shown their utter contempt for our opinions. Compromise is no longer an option.
We are responsible for our own futures and those of our children and their children. Those who chose only to shout and carry a sign without taking the actions necessary to become actively involved will have abdicated their right to complain in the future as this County is transformed into the new global ideal of Statist Socialism. Making a statement is important. Making a difference is more important.
Silversurfer I’m sorry you feel so bitter and I will agree with you that the Democrats are far from perfect. However, I would feel more comfortable leaving my dog or child with a Democrat, as you would say, than leaving my child with a Republican. Did you hear the one about John McCain’s state campaign manager (I think Colorado) who was caught diddling a child while the mother attended a Sarah Palin rally? We know what the Republican have to offer in terms of policy and solutions and they have failed. They certainly don’t practice what they preach in terms of values and morals. At least the Obama family is normal and is a good example of what a real loving family is about. I think the almost 70 million people who voted for Obama and the Democratic agenda are willing to give it a chance. Conservative Republicans: lie, steel, touch children (oh, and hang out in airport restroom waiting for a teabagging session).
As a life long Republican, I deeply resented the elected Republicans trying to muscle in on the tea parties. I admire and appreciate the organizers that did not allow them to speak.
As far as I am concerned, these people have and had their chance, we hear from them every day, and it was time for them to shut up and hear from us. It was OUR day, not theirs.
I attended the tea party in Denver. The state legislature was in session. Only a couple of them walked out on the balcony to acknowledge the protests of 4K-5K citizens.
At this point, a 3rd party has less than zero chance. Better than 90% of incumbents win re-election. Why? Because the game is rigged. Earmarks, plus EVERY NEW LAW favors some contributor over the citizen. Why else would they pass it? This theft makes for big bucks.
Better to get in the face of the (R) party officials, because without the Republican Party machine behind new candidates, the Dems will continue to win. Withdrawing our support for the Republican candidates simply means the Dems will always win everywhere.
The legislators (including the 3 RINOs) that passed the stimulus w/o reading it committed a felony. Unless there is at least the threat of severe penalties for those dispicable betrayals of the public trust, we’re going to end up enslaved.
The Democrats remain unafraid of 200K-300K conservative protestors. More than the cumulative total tea party crowds showed up at the Coronation in WDC on 1/20/09. A workday.
Voting the bast*rds out, only to let them retire with lifetime pensions and full benefits on our dime is not a penalty; that’s their fallback plan. We’d better disabuse them of that notion, for starters.
How’s that – you’re gonna let them run for re-election – so they can continue our enslavement?
Your comment while impassioned fails to acknowledge the demographic realities facing the conservative movement and the Republican Party in general. Their voting base is dying. I heard the median age of the average Republican is somewhere around 65. How do you plan on building upon that? Obama and the Democrats won the youth vote an astonishing 2 to 1. Studies indicate that the party an individual casts their first vote for is the party they usually identify with for life. You guys have lost an entire generation and that isn’t likely to change soon. We won’t even get into the female or minority vote, both very dismal for Republicans indeed. Moreover, the conservative movement and Republicans, as demonstrated by the Teabagging rallies, are largely white (who incidentally aren’t reproducing like they used to). The fact is America is becoming more diverse (browner if you will) and until Republicans and conservative speak to these voters in particular you will continue to lose badly in 2010 and beyond because you simply don’t have the numbers. That, after all are what elections and power are about right? Whoever has the most voters wins. You can’t win elections with old white people any more and you don’t find new voters to convince at Tea Parties where everyone is similar in that they hate something or someone. Your comments about socialism are also amusing. Socialism is a term that seems to be contingent upon who the taxpayer funds are directed. If they are intended to keep hard working American families in their home or put food on the table then that’s socialism. If they are intended as subsidies for big business that, well, just good business. Conservatives are socialists too . . .supply-side-socialists. Speaking of socialism I wonder how many teabagging participants went home after the rally and burned their Social Security checks in protest over the evils of socialism? That is after they filled their MediCare prescription, of course. You guys live in an alternate reality. Continue on with your Tea Parties. We will continue winning elections
My comment # 27 was intended for BJ # 23. Oops . . .
Keep the office-holding Republicans out of it. They have wasted the influence and position they had in 1994. They should not be allowed to jump on this train after it’s left the station.
If they want to participate as individuals at an invisible local level, maybe they can do that; but none of them should be allowed to participate or have visibility because of their office.
It may well be that the tea party influence will be expressed in the republican column at election time, but that will be OUR decision at that time, not a position we have to take because we were co-opted by people who have proven they can’t be trusted.
Does anyone think it`s possible for Sarah Palin to run for the WH in 2012 as an Independent?
Will middle class America financially support her candidacy ?
At this point I wouldn`t want to tie myself to the Republican Party? The good old boys will shoot her down at every chance. McCain and Steele have already started……
TO: All
RE: The GOP
Well….
….I can’t blame them for wanting to hitch their wagon to a rising star….
….and trying to gain control of it. After all, they were an abysmal failure for the last four years….at least.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
The socialist/democrats always overreach. Count on it.. They will be out of power in four to six years. The only party that will have staying power is a fiscally responsible party.
TO: geoffgo
RE: The Republican Party Apparatchik
“Better to get in the face of the (R) party officials, because without the Republican Party machine behind new candidates, the Dems will continue to win. Withdrawing our support for the Republican candidates simply means the Dems will always win everywhere.” — geoffgo
I’ve dealt with the Colorado Republican Party apparatchik for the last five years. Especially after the distaff ran for the state legislature.
I honestly report that I am thoroughly disappointed with them at the national, state and county level.
I’m giving them until 2010 to get their miserable act together. After THAT….if they fail again….and so far it looks like they’re gearing up for failure AGAIN….
…..I see the Republican Party going the way of the do-do. And deservedly so.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
P.S. Be advised, I’m working actively to bring the county party up to the 21st Century. An activity that I was deeply involved with in 2007. But ALL of my actions were terminated by the local chair. And, even after the last fiasco, he is STILL the ‘chair’.
We’re talking real ‘dumb’ move on the party rank and file there.
And apparently the same is true at the state level…..
Praetorian: You would leave your children with Barney Frank or Ted Kennedy? Sick….
P.P.S. Tomorrow, I’ll be attending the follow-up picnic for last Wednesday’s TEA Party event.
I see a strong potential for the TEA Party to take the place of the Republican Party, if the latter continue to be the do-dos they’ve been for the last four-five years…..
I was glad there were no elected leaders at our Alamo event. If, however, Republicans or Democrats leadership and members (fat chance) want to totally reverse course and adopt a small, constitutional government and restore our constitution’s individual rights, I am all for supporting that party’s politicians. Otherwise, one of those parties is going to see the power of the tea parties and it won’t be the radical socialist party of comrade Obama.
Gingrich is a RINO!
I’m a black conservative living in Wisconsin (yes, there are quite a few black conservatives). I took the day off from work last Wednesday and was all fired up to attend the Tea Party in Madison (a 2 hr. drive) until I learned that Rep. Paul Ryan was one of the featured speakers.
The same Paul Ryan who calls himself conservative and yet voted for TARP I and TARP II, and even more surprisingly, for the AIG Bonus Tax. Since I had already voted for a write-in candidate last November in protest of his TARP I vote, I decided against attending the Tea Party.
Guess you guys need to do the same thing with Repubs that we used to do with boys and their dogs. Back in the 70s we organized sports tournaments with top athletes from all over North America. It was easy to get the local TV stations interested, and the camera operators loved the chance to get lively footage. We got about 4 minutes on each of the three local stations, except that 3 minutes of it was some 12 y/o kid tossing a Frisbee to his sheepdog. He’d been standing near the lot where the camera crews had parked. After that, we began to station “security” around to run off any boys and their dogs.
Having said that, at our Tea Party in Denton, Texas, the 1100 or so people who showed up were addressed by representative Michael Burgess among other speakers. Burgess earned his spot by staunchly opposing tax and spending increases all the way thru the Bush admin. He kept his remarks appropriate, nothing about the GOP and pledging that it is his job to represent North Texas to Washington, not Washington to North Texas.
Tea parties,
poor people influenced by right wing talk radio and Fox news. Sorry for them, as most American are.
“24. Praetorian:
“Silversurfer I’m sorry you feel so bitter and I will agree with you that the Democrats are far from perfect. However, I would feel more comfortable leaving my dog or child with a Democrat, as you would say, than leaving my child with a Republican. Did you hear the one about John McCain’s state campaign manager (I think Colorado) who was caught diddling a child while the mother attended a Sarah Palin rally?”
I have had it up to here with heresay and unsupported rumors. This is the internet. LINKS OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.
The big spenders of the GOP are no better thought of in the Tea Party movement than the big spending Democrats, as shown in the video here.
http://politicalinquirer.com/2009/04/15/dallas-tea-party-april-15th/
I was a county GOP chairman in the 80s; until the party as a whole commits to- and PRACTICES and ENFORCES- fiscal responsibility, I won’t give them the time of day, much less money or effort.
I think it is fine if the GOP (or Democrat for that matter) members want to support and take part in this effort as long as they are actually going to support the common sense efforts to reign in the neo-marxists that are currently running our government and our nation into the rocks. But the posers and the Dem-lite GOPers should stay home.
I also resented incumbent Republican politicians trying to take advantage of the TEA parties. The good news is they tended to get a negative reaction from the crowd when they tried. I don’t object to groups like Freedomworks getting involved as long as they didn’t interfere with the message of the grassroots protesters. Armey helping in the background ok. Gingrich on TV not good.
Regarding where to go next, protesters could direct their anger at current members of congress right now instead of waiting for 2010. Protesters could also work to replace big spenders from either party in primary elections. Since primary turnout tends to be low, thousands of protesters spread out across the country could have a big impact.
TEA party protesters could also get behind efforts to eliminate straight party voting. The bill here in Texas is SB 134. This makes it harder for voters to mindlessly vote for all Democrats or all Republicans on the ballot and forces them to make individual choices in each race.
I am a Democrat who is opposed to massive deficit spending and am very upset with Obama deciding to sign the stimulus bill without letting the public read it or kicking out earmarks. I am also against the government taking ownership stakes in these lousy companies.
What really upsets me even more are these catty Democrats who, a few months ago, complained about Bush’s deficits but who now excuse Obama’s $2 trillion deficits. I opposed Bush’s deficits and I oppose Obama’s but you can’t criticize Obama or else they accuse you of being some Fox News-watching right winger. That makes me want to punch them in the nose!
I’m more of an Evan Bayh type of Democrat. Sad to say that we are becoming more marginalized with these radical factions on the far far left. I’m about ready to give up and just go Independent.
“Better than 90% of incumbents win re-election. Why? Because the game is rigged.”
No, it’s because to the typical dumbass American voter, it’s everyone else’s politician that are the crooks, not their own.
Nothing will change until this attitude changes first.
Oh puulleeeezzz Praetorian… which party accepts and celebrates perversion (hint – it wasn’t a republican congressman who had a gay sex ring running our of his home)
Democrat activist faced 81 years in jail
on charges involving kids as young as 6
A Democrat community leader who would “offer a homily during worship services” and facilitated his congregation’s “opening our doors to all people regardless of sexual orientation” has been given a slap on the hand after pleading guilty to extensive child pornography offenses involving children as young as six.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53070
DEMOCRAT MAYOR BUSTED FOR CHILD PORN
Get used to the freak show. They are going to shove their lack of morality and responsibility, and their culpability, down our throats – with a propagandized media telling us how much we like it. Cold cash Jefferson, Blago, Frank, Obama …. it’s a freakin circus. But if you’re a Republican – you are doomed. Tom Delay, forced to resign and no charges ever brought. Who can forget macaca? Or Trent Lott? Or Mark Foley.
Mayor Gary Becker (Democrat) Charged, Child P0rn Involved
http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/2009/01/16/mayor-gary-becker-democrat-charged-child-p0rn-involved/
Democrat Staffer Arrested For Child Porn, Media Quiet
Lets hope blogs like this, or this, report on the arrest of a Democrat staffer for child pornography with as much zeal as they did when a Republican does it:
A high-level aide and advisor to a veteran California senator has been charged with two felonies for receiving and distributing child pornography from his personal laptop computer.
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2008/nov/top-senate-staffer-charged-child-porn
Democratic Operative Arraigned on Child Porn Charges
oregon
Scott W. Ballo, a long-time spokesman for various Democratic political campaigns and a former communications director for the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, was arraigned today in Marion County Circuit Court on two charges of encouraging child sex abuse (both misdemeanors) and one charge of official misconduct (also a misdemeanor), according to the court clerk’s office.
The charges relate to pornography allegedly found on Ballo’s work computer when he was employed by the economic and community development department, according to a person familiar with the case.
But the real point is that there are too many corrupt, elitist careerist politicians IN BOTH PARTIES and they have begun to drive our government to the bottom.
So much angst over government spending! Where were all of you during 8 years of Bush/Cheney fiscal irresponsibility. Let us not forget that the current $1.7 trillion dollar deficit is a Bush/Cheney deficit. Obama’s first budget doesn’t start until July 1.
#7 salt herring…..”Republican leaders better start to ‘get it’ before the conservative base deserts them entirely.” And what base might that be? Fiscal conservatives left long ago if they had any sense, as the party “base” got hijacked by the religious right. Think about it–instead of debating real issues since 1994, our party leadership has been preoccupied by religious issues like stem cell research, gay marriage, abortion (code for restricting birth control), prayer in schools (prayers written of course by media giants like James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, etc.).
#11 syn….”I cannot wait to leave Serfdom and head for Freedom, taking my tax dollars with me.” Somalia??
#23 BJ…..” there will be a totally new Republican Party by this time next year.” Lots of luck, if the religious right is still in control. But I’ll will head early next year to my precinct caucus for the first time ever to do my part in pissing off the religious bigots. Maybe even get some movement towards the fiscal conservatism that was lacking the past eight years.
I think, Most People know, that BOTH PARTIES are Corrupt as Hell! I went to a couple of Events here in So Cal. Diverse Crowd. I think that the Hardcore GOP were there. Most, though, blamed Bush, as much as Obama.
Thanks for the kind comments. There were quite a few of us nationwide who were rather frustrated by Republican attempts to hijack the event(s). Quite a few people resisted all approaches, some of which were less that subtle, and I commend them for doing so.
41: What, you can’t use google?
http://coloradoindependent.com/20907/pueblo-manager-for-mccain-campaign-arrested-on-molestation-charges
How is Newt Gingrich a divisive figure?
The media hate(d) him because he was so damned effective, and they attacked him for years. For no reason.
Find one “clause” of the “Contract with America” that was divisive.
The media spent the better part of the 90s portraying Gingrich as Public Enemy Number One because he was personally responsible for derailing Clinton’s agenda and forcing the President to the center.
Post what he did that was so terrible.
What’s more, you have to realize that there are leftists within the tea party movement SPECIFICALLY trying to make sure that it has a “non-partisan” feel which serves to divide the Republicans. It’s working perfectly to derail any chance to hold Democrats to account in 2010.
The author is clearly one of those people.
Has the GOP thus far fallen short of small government expectations? Yes. But the goal of these tea parties should be motivate the opposition party to move back to that goal. Splintering off into a third party just ensures that the EVEN WORSE Democrats stay in charge.
Think about it: who benefits with tea partiers maintaining “lack of partisanship”? That’s right, Obama and his agenda.
The left doesn’t need to convince the tea-party movement to vote Democrat to gain. Instead they can use the opportunity to divide the opposition (which would be even better, actually).
As I see it at the moment:
We should keep building a very strong, very independent voting bloc. (Eventually, what’s left of the Republican Party should be allowed to join us, in exchange for their franchise as an official political party.)
We should keep the rules for membership in the bloc simple.
The basis should be the principles expressed by the Declaration of Independence.
We should try to educate those who are open to trying to save the country and invite their membership.
(An aside – taxes are a symptom of the problem, not the main problem. The real problem is the abolition of our social contract, which is embodied in the Declaration.)
If there are enough of us who believe that there are certain “self evident truths” and the rest of the deal, then we should be able to prevail and put our republic back together.
If not and we cannot convince those who would be given a free ride, in exchange for their freedom, we better find ourselves a place to establish a new country and start over; or, learn to enjoy the fruits of living in a third world socialist country.
Mr. Dodge when you mention “the Republicans,” who specifically are you talking about – the Republican National Committee chair and staff, some elected officeholders who ran on the Republican line on the ballot, all of the 57 (!) state Republican committees, thousands of county Republican central committees and their members, or millions of people all across America whose votes are almost exclusively for candidates who have R after their names on the ballot?
Pointing fingers at some vaporous, ill-defined yet reified concept that you label “the Republicans” is an easy way for people too lazy to get out and do the unpleasant spade work of building a real base of conservative voters, working the political machinery that helps those voters find and back good candidates, and doing the dog-work of political campaigning for those candidates.
Somebody mentioned Ross Perot in another comment, in the earliest days of the Ross for Boss phenomenon I predicted that the so-called Reform Party would go nowhere and I was proven right in abundance. The Reform Party was boob bait for complainers who expected somebody else to do the hard work of real, on-the-ground person-to-person politics. It’s not somebody else’s eternal vigilance that is the price of ones own liberty.
Yeah, sure, Mr. Dodge, you personally may not be one of the griping slackers I’m describing but when you speak disparagingly of “the Republicans” as you do, you’re an enabler of the lazy dopes who offer no alternatives to the Murtha Democrats and their RINO counterparts.
Sean I never said that I didn’t have respect for Newt I do. I do not however think his being a part of the national organisation was helpful for us trying to make it clear our events were non-partisan. Lest you think it was not “a pox on both houses” listen to my comments on the subject.
#38 Jan,
Instead of not attending, next time go and BOO LUSTILY at any office holder who shows up if he supported or voted for any stoooopid spending bills. BOOOO BOOOOOOOOOO GET OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE NOW, you LIAR! CRIMINAL!
Give ‘em some real medicine.. they’ll wish they had showed up at a code pink meeting.
)
53. Sean,
While I agree that ‘splintering’ the Conservatives into some third party movement is NOT a good idea [Hello, Mr. Clinton 1992, Hello Mr. Obama for a second term *puke*], I DO think people have every right to be angry at BOTH parties.
-But, more than anger, I think there is genuine FEAR about where our BELOVED COUNTRY is going and it doesn’t bode well with many of us.
I’m bloody mad as hell at BOTH parties for the spend-a-gasms. What will our dollar be worth by the time Zero’s administration has trampled our treasury, our constitution and our dignity? We are going to be p0wned by China? *smacks head*
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I don’t know why we think we must slam the GOP. To do so only elevates the Left. The Tea Party I went to (around 1500) didn’t have speakers we were just there to protest the high taxes. There were Republicans, Democrats and Independets. And a few there for their own off topic reason. Glad the media didn’t have a journalist there as we know who they would have interviewed (the 2 anti- abortionists with the gargantuan signs!). We had it at a large 6 lane intersection just as everyone was going home from work. We got a tremendous amount of honking agreement. Now to the GOP. They are ahead of the curve on this tax issue and its easy to prove. More Republicans voted against the new wave of spending bills than the Democrats. That is a fact and you can try and spin it whichever way you want but come election time, if the economy is in the crapper you are going to see Dems and Reps that voted for the new spending bills lose seats unless they are in a protected district. And you know who those are – Dodd, Frank, Rengal, etc. They may be a big part of the problem but their voters are loyal. They would vote for them if they were caught taking a bribe or soliciting a hooker in a church. Yeah I know that is stupid but heh Murpha is still in office and he took a bribe. We need leaders who believe in states rights, Capitalism and small government. I’m tired of paying someone else’s way just because they were too dumb or didn’t have the inclination to finish high school. Isn’t it amazing that in this great big country, we have so few real leaders out there? And, I am talking both sides now.
58. Bob,
“Isn’t it amazing that in this great big country, we have so few real leaders out there? And, I am talking both sides now.”
So true, Bob. It’s as if, as soon as a politician is all comfy cozy in the catbird seat they lose sight of their constituency and only care about furthering their own rise upwards.
*sigh* Disheartening to say the very least.
The GOP definitely needs to haul butt and be CONSERVATIVES instead of letting Libs walk all over them.
The best thing this grassroots uprising can do is organize for electoral success and purge the current GOP leadership from bottom on up. We can forget about changing the Democratic party or starting a third party which would be absolute suicide come 2010 and 2012.
It is time for the rational, conservative base that came out last week to take back the GOP and we need to reach out to Democrats and Independents who share our ire for the continual status quo in Washington to help us make it happen. We all need to accept that another Reaganesque candidate is not coming down the pike any time soon and it is now up to us — as it always has been up to us — to finish building that shining city on a hill.
What is amazing is that 80% of the country call themselves moderate or conservative and somehow we have a bunch of lunatic leftist running the country. How can you expect a party controlled by unions, trial lawyers and environmental extremist to correct a bad economy? And Chuck ‘U’ Shumer wonders why the Chamber of Commerce has nothing to contribute to his party.
There would not be a Democrat party without the mainstream media propping it up.
What’s more, you have to realize that there are leftists within the tea party movement SPECIFICALLY trying to make sure that it has a “non-partisan” feel which serves to divide the Republicans. It’s working perfectly to derail any chance to hold Democrats to account in 2010.
The author is clearly one of those people.
Much has been said about me over the years this is one of the funniest. I hope this was satire because if it isn’t its truly daft. However, that said, I think it would amuse my friends and opponents alike. In my entire life I have never been called a leftist…ever. Well done…it truly a memorable moment.
Just an FYI I am the author of Statism Sucks! 2.0
SEAN. SORRY. WE, THE LIBS GOT YOU ALL THIS TIME.
IT’S CHECK MATE.
TO CONSERVATIVE, REPUBLICAN, WHATEVER. SORRY.
TEA PARTY FURTHER DIVIDED YOU. THOSE Rs INCLUDING RON PAUL DON’T HAVE CONSTITUENTS NOW.
AS FOR THE DEMS? THAT’S 60% WHO LOVE TAXES OF OBAMA. THANK YOU MORON BUSH FOR ABSORBING ALL THE BLAMES FOR THE STIMULUS.
THE DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING STRONGER EVERYDAY AND EVERYDAY.
AS FOR RALLIES… NAW. I WON’T GIVE SOME TIPS. IT’S DEMS’ SECRET.
CRY HARD, ALL YOU PEOPLE OF THE PAST!!!!!!!
EVEN THE SILENT CONSERVATIVES ARE CONFUSED NOW. THEY HATE RALLIES LIKE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING.
OBAMA? HE’S SO FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE INCLUDING GAYS, CHRISTIANS, GNOSTICS, ATHEISTS, BLACK+JEWS+WOMEN+YOUTH+UNION WORKERS (you sucked in this group, THE SOLID OBAMA FANS), AND THE POOR.
SO…. CONTINUE SPEAKING HIGH AND MIGHTY, HYPOCRITE CONSERVATIVES.
IT WILL FURTHER DESTROY THE ENEMY… THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
We prefer neophytes like Constitution Party and Libertarian Party. Divide further Has-been-Republicans, further, further, further….
OBAMA ROCKS!!!!!!
#47 Red: “Oh puulleeeezzz Praetorian… which party accepts and celebrates perversion (hint – it wasn’t a republican congressman who had a gay sex ring running our of his home)”
And it wasn’t a Democratic Senator “teabagging” in an airport John. At least Barney Frank, whatever you think of his sexual proclivities, doesn’t have to hide behind a urinal stall. Republican are a shame based species and often act out their secret perverted fantasies in secret. What about Senator David Vitter. Hear he likes wearing diapers and being told what a bad wittle boy he is. LOL!
As one of the organizers of the Dallas Tax Day Teaparty, we decided early on to allow NO elected official or anyone running for office to speak. We believe this is the best method of keeping the integrity of the tea party movement. It is time for Washington to hear from the people. And they better listen!
Angry White Dude
Tadah!
Republicans: Lie, steal, touch children.
YEAH BOTH PARTIES ARE CORRUPT!!!! DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE CORRUPT!!!!
BUT WE DEMOCRATS LOVE BEING CORRUPT!
DON’T WORRY REPUBLICANS…. WHEN YOU START COMMITTING CORRUPTION… YOU’RE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED TO US.
BECAUSE YOUR HYPOCRITE PARTY WILL IMMEDIATELY THROW YOU UNDER THE BUS!!!! HA HA HA HA!
THROW UNDER THE BUS? OBAMA? NO. OBAMA WON’T EVEN HAVE TO FORESAKE HIS OLD FRIEND RESCO. BUT WE STILL LOVE HIM. AND HE’S THE PRESIDENT!!!!!
For # 65
http://coloradoindependent.com/20907/pueblo-manager-for-mccain-campaign-arrested-on-molestation-charges
51: The burden of proof is on the accuser, in the court of public opinion no less than a court of law. Further, when I bring links as evidence of “something happened,” I always bring at least two, neither of which refers to the other. It wouldn’t shock me extraordinarily to find that some goof on the McCain campaign staff was caught in flagrante delictico with a child. For the record, it wouldn’t shock me either to find that some goof on the Obama campaign was caught in flagrante delectico with a child. The campaign staff are politicians too, after all, and we’ve been too-long conditioned by their very behavior to presume the worst. But I’m not going to make an accusation against anyone from either campaign of anything without those two non-circular-referencing sources. That is the standard of behavior to which I was calling attention.
Rick: one link is sufficient. It’s all over the friggin internet. Google it . . .
AFTER SPENDING THE JAIL, THAT CAMPAIGN STAFF WILL GET OUT OF HIS CELL AS A DEMOCRAT.
HE WILL REALIZE THAT HIS PARTY HAS NO HEART.
AND THAT HE’S A SON OF THE DEVIL AFTER ALL. HE DOESN’T BELONG THE HYPOCRITE PARTY SINCE HE HAS ALREADY BLOWN HIS COVER AND CAN NOLONGER BRING IT BACK.
ALL I CAN SAY TO THAT GUY IS…. WELCOME, MATE! ONE MORE VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATS. OBAMA MAY EVEN PARDON YOU.
..doesn’t it seem funny that the topic here is about barring Republicans and campaigning politicians from speaking at a Tea Party and the trolls like “praetorian” bring up the subject of child-molestation and use it to tar the McCain campaign and, by extension, attempt to discredit us?
Get a grip, people and don’t take the bait! This sh*t is going to happen more and more as we grow stronger and we gather more adherants. It’s how Obama and the Left works. Read Saul Alinsky; read all of that drivel that is their manifesto. Understand their tactics!
We’re in a serious fight for this country and the principles that the founding fathers laid down. We need to stay focused and on message and not waste energy on distractions from doofuses like these.
Ignore these clowns and stick to the issues; develop your ability to argue on point. If they change the argument, then they have lost.
They’re losers anyway.
While some of you are busy trying to equate & attack each other as a Republican or a Democrat, & some others are trying to say they are Independents, I am saying what I think most at the Tea Parties were saying.
We are Americans.
That means we do NOT believe in the kind of wealth distribution we are having forced on us, & we do believe in the Constitution, not judicial fiat. We also did not believe in the excessive spending of George Bush.
So those who want, you just go ahead & play party games…. while we Americans of NO political party or affiliation plan to retake our nation & build real leadership again!
TO: Войска ПВО, et al.
RE: Praetorian and Child Molesters
My experience has been that people who bring up such off-the-wall and off-topic items are usually projecting. Therefore, it’s my considered opinion that Praetorian could have a serious problem and is just manifesting it to the world with his comments here.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out.....]
Praetorian is a troll. He’s stated in previous blogs that he is a college student.
SAT scores Praetorian? What’s your GPA and course of study?
How do we know you are “qualified” to make vitriolic comments? We need PROOF you have a reasonable IQ. Your posts have convinced us it’s pretty low! You are a narcissist, which is probably why you like “O.”
72. Войска ПВО,
No worries, hon. The tribbles [Star Trek Geek] sprout from the same inept, stinky group of amoebae. They share one brain shoved up the same puckered anus. If it weren’t so damned sad at times it would be laughable but, then you realize these poor children are SERIOUS. Scary.
#72 Войска ПВО: I would suggest you look over comment 27. You guys are in deep doodoo, and it isn’t changing the subject, it is pointing out facts. The child molestation charges are true bye the way! Anyway, all we have to do is outnumber you people at the polls. And what’s this about losers? I’m quite happy with the way things are going. Go back to Looserpalloza 09 and hang out with your fellow old white men and see if you can win an election preaching to the choir. See you in 2010. We’re gonna kick your fascist ass again!
“Ignore these clowns and stick to the issues; develop your ability to argue on point. If they change the argument, then they have lost.
They’re losers anyway.”
Yep, you are absolutely right. My Democrat mother and Democrat sister went to a tea party to express their opposition to the out-of-control spending by government. They are very concerned about the massive spending, concerned about the encroaching power of government. They are hardly “right wing” and are in a “throw ALL the bums out” mood. This need not be just a “Republican movement,” but should be open to anyone who wants to ensure that their government, the people they vote for WILL be fiscally responsible and reverse the Statism we’re plunging towards — no matter the other issues they support.
# 72 Войска ПВО: “This sh*t is going to happen more and more as we grow stronger and we gather more adherants. It’s how Obama and the Left works. Read Saul Alinsky; read all of that drivel that is their manifesto. Understand their tactics!”
One other thing. You are not growing stronger. You are becoming weaker through division. The Republicans will find it difficult if not impossible to win a primary without conservative support from the right. But the further they move to the right to appease those voters the more they turn off mainstream voters in the general. McCains daughter Meghan and his campaign manager have all but said the Republican Party must jettison the conservative religious Taliban that now infects it in order to survive. The function of the “teabagging” rallies has worked brilliantly in that they have managed to isolate, identify, and monitor these fringe groups while the establishment of the party regroups. You have no idea what is happening to you and your ilk do you? Ultimately you will be left as political roadkill twitching in the ditch because it is the function of the American body politic to plunder its extremists taking from them anything of value and leaving them nothing in exchange, not even gratitude. You will be isolated and crushed. But your argument isn’t with Obama and the Democrats right now. You have enough on your plate with the circular firing squad the conservative movement has now formed.
Praetorian – One link is never sufficient. “Praetorian and Rick raped cats behind a warehouse last night.” Now, by one link (to this comment), that meets your standards of evidence that we both raped cats behind a building. I demand more proof though, personally. A second link, from a non-circular corrorborating source, is always necessary, regardless of the past track-record of the source.
Knowing that the tea party I attended had been scheduled 2 hours before it started is great proof that this is a grass roots movement!
Don’t be taken in by Obamatrons who keep trying to convince you that all we have left in this country is a bunch of ignorant, greedy beggars with their hand out willing to sell their freedom to the highest bidder.
Rain is wet, the sky is blue and Obama didn’t win by a landslide. Most Americans still love their freedom more than this 2009 version of socialist slavery that’s being shoved down our throat by a bunch of government thugs on a joyride, the rancid media and college kids with bad skin who live with their moms and play on the computer all day.
The Tea Parties are the beginnings of our people finding common ground and that’s why it scares the hell out of those who want to keep us divided.
Most of us have been walking around like accident victims in shock…I don’t think any of us quite expected such an orgy of corruption, ineptitude and arrogance in such a short time. It’s been truly breathtaking.
But, friends and neighbors, one by one Americans are finally shaking off the shock and recognizing that the place they love is turning into a third world country overnight. Both Democrats and Republicans are repulsed and overwhelmed by the turncoats in both parties– and even more —the treasonous actions of the media that’s given our enemies a blank check.
Be of good hope, leaders are emerging. Many of you are leaders in your own communities and that’s where it starts. I believe we have to find the main issue that will bring us all together, black, white, Hispanic, Republican, Independent and Democrat or whatever.
Many states have Recall laws, that’s a good place to start. We’ve got to focus people’s anger where it belongs—on a government that’s out of control, spending, spending always spending money they don’t have on stuff we don’t need. Hating the rich is stupid and self-defeating and that’s lever the socialists always use to divide and conquer.
We have to tell our story, loud and clear…return the Republic to citizen-legislators who are not looters, bring back real education to our children, return power to the states and communities to grow businesses and not be distracted by race baiting and the rest of the Alinsky tricks.
Great article, Andrew. The gathering on the State Pier in Portland was quite diverse. By far, the best reaction was to the speech by the libertarian who excoriated all things governmental. (you know, the MTU guy) He had the place rocking. Unfortunately, the GOP crew spoke blandly and got polite applause. I was grateful, though, for the large turnout and the enthusiasm for libertarian ideas.
I’ll bet that the MTU doesn’t make the mistake of inviting the GOP to latch on to thier events in the future. N’est pas?
J Fred, I think many organisations who allowed GOP types “to work with them” (ie take over) are regretting it.
Praetorian, you should consider giving more credence to the significance of the impact the independents have on elections. The major two rely on them to put their respective candidates over the top in most, if not all major elections. BO is going to need them desperately if he is to attain a second term. He certainly is not doing much to hang on to their loyalty. Ditto for Pelosi, Reid, et al in Congress.
#82 Lilith: “Many states have Recall laws, that’s a good place to start. We’ve got to focus people’s anger where it belongs—on a government that’s out of control, spending, spending always spending money they don’t have on stuff we don’t need. Hating the rich is stupid and self-defeating and that’s lever the socialists always use to divide and conquer.”
Nobody hates the rich Lilith as you say but the days when the rich and their supply-side-socialists in congress can use taxpayer funds in the form of subsidies for big business and such to pad their own pockets at the expense of hard working American families are over. If it is a question of how to use those available funds I fall on the side of those who need them the most such as the single mom trying to put food on the table or the family where one parent lost their job and are trying to stay in their home. That is the moral and right thing to do. It is, if you will, what Jesus would do. I don’t know what kind ofd God you worship but it certainly doesn’t sound like the Christian one. Rich people aren’t bad. There are bad people who do bad things both rich, not so rich, and poor. Many who run the financial industry have been very bad and we need to fix this.
You mention how you think the “teabagging” movement needs to find a single issue that will bring everyone together (black, white, Hispanic, Republican, Independent and Democrat or whatever). I think the white part is fairly strong at this point but as a voting base they are diminishing in size and force. That’s a demographic fact not an opinion, so you can’t rest your laurels on them you need to expand beyond them. The black and hispanic communities equate the word Republican with Gonorrhea. They want noting to do with it and that isn’t the fault of Democrats it is your own. We attract those voters just fine because we speak to them and their issues in a believable and genuine manner. They trust us. They don’t trust you. As far as Independents are concerned, I would agree that many are perhaps libertarian politically but the reason they despise the conservatives and Republicans is because of the element of religious fundamentalism that the party is captive to. It is so viscerally caustic to them on a git level that they couldn’t stomach voting conservative any more than they could stomach moving to Iran and donning a Burka and have their daughters genitally mutilated. Forget the Democrat and whatever part.
You guys are trying to find your voice and I appreciate that. The Democrats went through the same thing and it’s healthy for both parties to have a shake up. However, I fear your blind idealism from being pumped up from the events functions to blur the real work you have ahead in speaking to voters who have been in the Democratic column for some time and will be for the indefinite future. Specifically how do you plan on changing that?
One last thing, Health Care reform is coming up and it will be passed this time around. Many of the individuals in the above named groups stand to benefit tremendously from health care coverage because many of them have none right now and some is better than nothing and something fairly decent is pretty spectacular, which is what Obama is proposing. I don’t want to be cynical but once this is in place the Democrats will be identified as the party who gave people health care while the Republicans will be identified as the party that said no to their children. After that, you won’t be able to pry their vote out of their cold dead hand.
I don’t want to be cynical but once this is in place the Democrats will be identified as the party who gave people health care … .
At the expense of their liberty, in ways far more significant than your worst nightmares about the PATRIOT Act …
… while the Republicans will be identified as the party that said no to their children.
And preserved their liberty … and yes, even their access to health care higher than the treatment of runny noses and Band-Aids(TM) … by doing so.
More and more of America is realizing that this Administration — and its supporters like you, child — are setting us up for a return to the worst of the 1970′s when it comes to the pursuit of happiness … while in the process, threatening our liberty like never before in American history.
Remember that only 53% of this nation voted for Mr. Obama … and many of them did so while giving him the benefit of the doubt, thinking that he would be more moderate than his support base.
Others did so because, like you, they have not experienced (like the middle-class professional who is talking to you now, the son of blue-collar parents) both the problems of socialist policy and the solutions of supply-side economics. Those born since 1980 have seen pretty much prosperity up to now … while those of us who are older still remember (painfully) the double-digit stagflation, the perpetuation of poverty, and the impotence of our government with respect to defending liberty, that preceeded those years.
A little more time of being exposed to his true intentions, and it will be he — and you — who won’t be able to pry their vote out of their cold dead hand to perpetuate your folly.
Neither you nor your Hope-and-Change-Messiah have the answers We the People need, sonny. As Clint Eastwood once said … “A man has got to know his limitations.”
Take his advice … and stop trying to keep 300 million problem-solvers from solving the problems that only they — not some self-selected elite of Best and Brightest — can solve.
We won’t get fooled again …
GOP operatives at the Parties should be told in no uncertain terms that we remember the breach of the “Contract with America”.
Don’t be fooled again!
This conservative commentary directed at Obama, the feelings behind it and even the tone, are exactly how the libs and dems reacted to Bush. There is hardly any difference, except for one. When dems and libs were griping (like the pubs and cons are now) they were focusing on rebuilding the dem party. This teabagging thing on the other hand is focusing on a new path. That’s all fine and admirable, however, by not focusing on rebuilding the pub party with one voice and intent, there will be nothing but a splintered chaos of conservative groups that will never be able to overtake the dem party. The dem party has swept together a powerhouse of united groups that has been in the making for decades. Focused energy will always crush anything less. As cons and pubs, your best hope is to regroup as republicans and learn how to use technology to communicate to eachother and to examine the planks of the party, taking a realistic view of these planks from an inclusive point of view. Dems are inclusive, Pubs are exclusive, Understand?
Rick # 80: as a grad student I can appreciate your desire for a firm and reputable source. The university I attend (believe it or not) takes that sort of thing quite seriously. In this case, however, the man was indeed arrested and that’s not in need of corroboration. In the academic community it would be considered common knowledge. If you need further corroboration you can do so and find the varied sources yourself but I am not required to do it for you. At least, not if you are using academic or journalistic standards. Not to mention this is a blog for entertainment and casual ranting.
#87 Rich Casebolt: Your condescending prattle is why you and your supply-side-socialist ilk are going by the wayside. Your elitist attitude is such that it implies that people who voted for Obama and the Democratic agenda did so because, well, they’re, just not grown up enough, or they don’t know better, or they’re just not as smart as you, or we just need a little more time to see the light (as you see it), or big daddy conservative knows better, etc., etc. Let me tell you something. The reason why your agenda was rejected by the American people was because they saw it for what it was: fresh lipstick on the same old fat fascist pig. You sound like your getting ready to retire soon. I’m glad Social Security will be there to supplement your income and that MediCare will be there to meet your prescription needs (those evil socialist programs!). Why is it wrong to offer a similar healthcare benefit to everyone? We’re the only first world country that doesn’t! Time to play catch up I say. We all benefit from a healthy society in terms of productivity and cost. Unfortunately the conservative mind is far too short sighted to realize this, so they stand athwart history feebly yelling stop! I have some advice for you old one. Wipe the dew off your spectacle and see the the world is moving. It will continue to do so even if your standing on the sidelines (or attending a “teabagging” session) wringing your hands while no one listens. Lastly, we are the future not you.
Rich Casebolt, to follow up on my comment #91. You are aware that the US Chamber of Commerce is behind health care reform? You don’t get a more Republican conservative group than that. Health costs are crushing business and something needs to be done. They are smart and realize this. Time for you to do so also.
From some verbose kids post:
“the real work you have ahead in speaking to voters who have been in the Democratic column for some time and will be for the indefinite future. Specifically how do you plan on changing that?”
Here are some specifics:
I factually demonstrate that the Democrat-led assault on our laws and way of life is harmful to them, especially if they are young voters.
I am distributing pocket Constitutions that include Declaration and Amendments to any who will have them, young Democrats foremost. Google up an online deal: 100 pocket Constitutions for $30. Don’t be surprised if they’re currently sold out!
I have one of my copies of the current number one best-selling conservative manifesto, Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin, sitting on my bench at work for my liberal co-workers to check out. Don’t be surprised if bookstores are currently sold out!
I post persuasive conservative viewpoints and arguments anywhere I can.
My plan for conservative growth includes recruiting young Democrats like Praetorian as they mature to the level of clear thinking. Praetorian may morbidly celebrate the deaths of older conservatives now, but there is no “indefinite future” for Democrat membership. Many of your peers will embrace conservatism as they age wisely, and replace those whose departure you hail.
Networking at a “tea party”, not “teabagging”, was only one facet of my plans to change minds. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Praetorian — I thought that all those rich guys in the Chamber of Commerce were the problem, not the solution … I find it interesting that you cite them as a reliable barometer of policy. I agree that health care costs are crushing business … but your cure is worse than the disease.
Socialized health care will NOT deliver anywhere near what we have now in terms of quantity/quality of health care, let alone what you would like to see … and it will be a greater threat to your civil liberties than the PATRIOT Act ever was or is.
The only way that these other nations have been able to afford the care they have, is because American blood and treasure preserved the freedom to do so, leaving them free to spend their treasure on foolishness that even now they see is inadequate to the task at hand.
And you are not the future … just a carbon copy of the past. We heard a lot of this before in the 1960′s and 1970′s. You’re just putting some nutroots lipstick on that same old pig … a pig of PROVEN failure.
You talk about putting lipstick on a fascist pig … well, fascism is usually implemented as the state control of the means of production. I’ve never seen conservatives or even RINOs attempt to do that, to anywhere the degree our GM-CEO-firing President has.
And as for my condescension … pot, kettle, black.
BTW, I’m at least 20 years away from retirement — and I don’t see how Social Security has the fiscal solvency to survive the first wave of the Boomers, let alone those like me in the last wave. Neither does any of our political leaders, Left and Right.
But if it does survive, I will take comfort in the fact that condescending, smart-mouthed youngsters like yourself will be heavily taxed to support me in my retirement. If nothing else … the demands of my golden years will be the best education you can get on the folly of putting all our eggs in the statist basket.
It is fitting that you use the name Praetorian … the name of the palace guard that protected corrupt and venal Caesars, keeping them in power far longer than they deserved.
You are a relic of the statist past … it is those like me, who see that the institutions we call political parties are obsolete as agents of good governance, that are both relics of a better past … and the way of the future, if “progress” is more than just the first part of a name of a political faction.
You may have knowledge … but you lack wisdom.
History has borne that out … and we don’t like repeating history when it comes to folly.
What does any of that have to do with the GOP hijacking tea parties post? Find another bridge to lurk under.
Billy Goat Gruff
BTW, instead of putting our health-care eggs in the statist basket, ever consider that We the People could do better ourselves, by supporting more private-sector compassion within the health-care system (there already is a fair amount of it)?
Americans are not averse to supporting good causes … as opposed to government bureaucracies that will have the capability of prying into the most intimate areas of our lives … and will shut out the opportunity to access alternatives when they err in their judgments.
Same with other social services … conservatives don’t mind helping people that need help. However, we demand that the help be effective and efficient … and delivering that aid top-down through a politically-driven bureaucracy is NEITHER, as we have seen time and time again.
Why don’t you trust We the People to do this job? Why do you and others INSIST that only the Best and Brightest of the Left can do it … and only if they hold the levers of political power?
Your elitist attitude is such that it implies that people who voted for Obama and the Democratic agenda did so because, well, they’re, just not grown up enough, or they don’t know better, or they’re just not as smart as you, or we just need a little more time to see the light (as you see it), or big daddy conservative knows better, etc., etc.
How does this rant square with my original statement?
Remember that only 53% of this nation voted for Mr. Obama … and many of them did so while giving him the benefit of the doubt, thinking that he would be more moderate than his support base.
Others did so because, like you, they have not experienced (like the middle-class professional who is talking to you now, the son of blue-collar parents) both the problems of socialist policy and the solutions of supply-side economics. Those born since 1980 have seen pretty much prosperity up to now … while those of us who are older still remember (painfully) the double-digit stagflation, the perpetuation of poverty, and the impotence of our government with respect to defending liberty, that preceeded those years.
My “condescension” has basis in FACT.
Your condescending attitude, OTOH, is based in the Utopian fantasy of the college campus (been there, done that, BTW) … or in a lame attempt to distract attention away from the shortcomings of your thinking.
The comments of BJ are right on: “The Tea Party participants need to take over the Republican Party. It already has the organizational structure to operate at all levels of government as well as the mechanism for primaries. But it needs new leadership.”
#86 Praetorian: “If it is a question of how to use those available funds I fall on the side of those who need them the most such as the single mom trying to put food on the table or the family where one parent lost their job and are trying to stay in their home. That is the moral and right thing to do. It is, if you will, what Jesus would do.”
I hope you are a college student as someone mentioned, affording you time to better form your understanding. If you understood Christianity you would know that there is no evidence that Jesus directed his followers to create a powerful government to force income redistribution. In fact, force was never part of His way. The source of moral authority is God, not government.
Anti-Republican posts serve to let off steam, but accomplish little else. I’m a Republican and a relatively new member of the Kennebec County Republican committee. If you really want to take over the Republican Party, then go ahead and do it. You will find that there are vacancies on nearly every municipal committee as well as on the county committees. You don’t have to be rich or connected or well known. The GOP is more diverse than some may think and you will find kindred spirits there – especially if you favor limited government consistent with our Constitution.
I do believe that some of these Tea Parties still may be used to cattipolt selfish GOP watnatbes. WATCH OUT FOR ORGANIZERS AGENDA. The real organizer ME WAS FORCED OUT. I founded our Tea Party, had one girl sign up and then a man. I did not live as close to the city as I had chosen to have our party. The city would draw a larger group. I had working about 14-16 hour days as you people know was needed. I to make a successful Tea Party. I had asked the man to speak with the people I chose to have as speakers since he had some knowledge of the, as he put it rotten “GOP” in this city so he would know if they were plants. The third party was to be doing media contacts faxing info and I was contacting all the groups, and handling all of the marketing and coordination with the main location erc. I had Gmail so I had folders for all of us and I coordinated info to go to which ever person I felt appropriate. I tried to get a conference call scheduled..no one would agree. Then two others were brought in that took care of the Website…a joint aggreemnt. Each week I, pushed for a conference call, a meeting at the sight anything, so that we knew what needed to be done, what was done,etc. I had no idea what was being accomplished and I realized as time were going on I had less and less information going through the Gmail account. Next thing I know my Gmail account had been hacked into, all information stolen a new gmail account set up. A press release was sent by them dismissing me and the old gmail account and announcing a new team. The Website was not mine to begin with “STUPID ME”. So to wrap this up, come to find out, the man who joined up had ran for office twice under the GOP and lost. Now he had his name front and center and he was too as he was the MC. Also, 4 of the 6 speakers were GOP members. Our forums were buzzing with controversy over this so at the last they threw in 2 other business owner to speak that were terrible, one beint the girls mom. I will admitt that the GOP speakers towed the line and to find out too they had something to do with this imposter with his his prior quests. I bet I will see this man running soon for an office but now he has been taged the leader. Pulling this all together. If the public only knew. I kept my mouth shut for the people who attended, and also we did have much less in attendacne than announced and I know it was due to the GOP at our event. Keep you eyes open and thouroughly check everyone out you bring on your team.
I keep reading, Rep. and Dem. and then remember seeing signs that said “Dems suck” and then “Reps suck” I thought this was going to be an organization that stressed neither group. All Americans, no specific party.
THAT’S why I went to our Stuart Tea Party. I think the people there were of the same mind, as there was no talk of PARTY or reference to obama.On the other hand, both parties have good politicians { the newly elected and ones that haven’t been corrupted yet} it’s a good base for
a new government. We can’t have all new blood in there, they’re confused enough already. My thoughts? Pick out a
representative, senator or congressman, from your area and
bury him with emails, I’m told it gets their attention like nothing else, and stress the fact that they’ll be long gone if they can’t realize that we are going to make a change and if they want to be a part of that change, they’ll start giving a little more thought to the things they vote on. We count, but we won’t succeed in these Tea Parties if we don’t start thinking alike. Forget Democrat,
forget Republican. Think American. Think Patriot. Don’t
fight, THINK!!
This is not a Black/White issue it is an American issue.Anybody who did not know what was comming after the year and half of campaigning must have been livining on Mars. The problem is that one the media is in the tank for the present administration and untill they are in danger of there losing influance will never get the totally story. Two there are too manny people in this country who are looking for a hand out and for Goverment to baby sit for them. this country was built on each and every one of us pulling our own weight. Yes there are some who need our help and we must help them but not just a hand out with out some returns from the rciepiants. They want tax the Rich who do you think greaces the wheels of industry, not the poor. Take there money away and they don’t invest and we all suffer. Bottom line taxing is not the answer it has not got us out of economic problems in the past and it will not in the future. Lets not relax our vigal
We had the same problem at the Boise, ID Tea Party. The religious right managed to take over the whole thing at the end…I was just disgusted. The Tea Party started off great, then degenerated into a Mormon/Republican prayer meeting. I am Libertarian, and was a tad miffed about the Republicans trying to take over. They had their chance during the Bush years and royally screwed up.
I was there to protest taxes and spending, NOT to try to get religion back into Idaho’s schools. Religion/Prayer belongs at home and in the church, NOT at a Tea Party. Too many people at the rally lost the point of it all.
What a shame. A sincere and honest movement with the very best of intentions had been sabotaged by a God-foresaken political party. This movement is a cleansing act of the American people to rid themselves of the filth of the 2 parties and stand for the RIGHTS of the PEOPLE. If those damed GOP’s move -in and try to get their grubby hands on this- then we must start a NEW Revolution void of their presence. Lets call it a No-Party-Party next time and let them all go to hell where they belong!
or how about “N-P Non-party)-T-party”
yes- call it the “N-P-T-party”
Up here in Canada, there is an old joke. What is the difference between the Conservatives and the Liberals. Answer. Who their lawyers are on Bay Street.
It seems that those responsible for the Republicans being reduced to minority status in 2006 are very good at knowing which way the wind
is blowing, and they are trying to get in front
of the parade.
I attended the Tea Party in Canton, Ohio, and was very much impressed and heartened by the comments made by every speaker and the MC that were very purposefully addressed to ALL AMERICANS regardless of political persuasion or financial situation and that remained focused on the taxes we are paying, how and for what they are being spent, and the role we all have in selecting “representatives” who we elect to carry out our wishes. This can be summed up by a previous responder: “Let me see: Politicians taking money we will have to pay for and giving it to other politicians who will make it disappear, yeow. I truly fear for this country.”
With regard to the much needed and continued success of the Tea Party movement, I believe that the vast majority of Americans fall into a political middle that has become very “fat, dumb, and happy” and, as a “sleeping bear” once awakened, re-educated, and invigorated, can bring this country back to its senses and original intent. The movement requires NEW and purposeful leadership, trust, well-defined goals and objectives, persistence, and perfect timing. Representing the vast “middle America” and distancing itself from all others, a new Constitution Party may not be too far-fetched.
2. Bill Perron:
Everybody is mad at the government, even illegal aliens…. What a country !!!
Well of course the illegals are mad at the government. Thanks to the unifying power of the The One (to unify us into stopping his spending spree), they’re looking at the possible derailment of the Hi-Speed Gravy train.
I’m all for giving the boot to the current Republicans in congress and getting a new group of 1 term regular people. I still hear talk of Sarah Palin. I actually like her but she’s a lightning rod. Forget her. WE need NEW people in ALL areas.
I too was greatly heartened by the Tax Day rally in Chicago. Great speakers and great spirit from all walks of life. But that’s not enough. With a degree in political science, I am no where near that naive. If we are to survive as a free nation, we must stop blaming, pointing fingers, pigeon holing, and stop using the words every, all and always (that commits you to being WRONG, NARROW MINDED AND BLIND). These things only dilute The Movement. We must not throw out the baby with the bath water. Take the time to monitor voting records, work within your party to support the good guys and weed out the bad guys and make life a living hell for those opposed to the Bill of Rights and The Constitution of the United States of America.
That’s it, bow down to the great Praetorian. All hail Praetorian.
“Windbag, self-centered, immoral, know-it-all” in training.
A graduate student?
Ya, there’s someone who doesn’t think he’s the smartest guy in the room.
Spare me.
All you are destined for is a life of windbagging, self-centering, immoralising, and know-it-alling.
Praetorian: Blah, blah, blah, talking point, blah, blah, blah, skewed statistic, blah, blah, blah, talking point suggested by thesis advisor, blah, blah, blah…
Thesis Statement: I’m good at figurin’ things out, and I will prove that by showing commentors on Pajama’s Media that I can “separate talking points” with “blah, blah, blah”.
At least your leaders figured something out.
You are a good at following orders.
You follow the party line.
You are a good communist. I will give you that.
Pretty committed.
Still hanging around after:
Barack Obama: I’ve already changed a Cuba policy that I believe has failed to advance liberty or opportunity for the Cuban people.
Note to Barack Obama: It was Castro’s job to advance liberty and opportunity for the Cuban people, not America’s.
You probably think you are a patriot. It’s in user name only.
Well, if you won’t believe me,
then maybe you’ll believe Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton: We are continuing to look for productive ways forward because we view the present policy as having failed.
Translation: We won’t ask you to become democracies (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more, say no more, is your wife into water sports?, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more) we’ll just switch to communism.
Translation of translation: We’d rather be f#@%!&g than fighting. We’re communists too, so why shouldn’t we get along?
Understand?
Actual number of eligible voters?
225 million.
How many people actually voted for Obama?
69 million.
Percentage of votes?
30 percent.
A mandate to destroy America?
Hardly.
But I suppose if you multiply 69 million by Alinsky’s Rule No. One you get…
69 million. That’s still only 30 percent.
Let’s try that again.
69 million multiplied by Alinsky’s Rule No. One equals…
69 million. 30 percent.
Damn, where did I leave that Soviet-style calculator…
Gee, and where will all those millions of voters go who thought Obama was going to decriminalize marijuana? And all those voters who didn’t realize change meant communism?
And considering the damage that will be caused to future generations, let’s let them have a say in their future.
300 million minus 69 million equals…
231 million.
231 million Americans did not choose Communism/Fascism/Socialism.
You are but a small percentage of the population.
You are nothing.
And you will be defeated.
It’s only right.
The left, is not right.
Right is right.
Left is wrong.
You haven’t figured out a damn thing. Comrade Praetorian.
TO: Sunglasses on a cloudy day
RE: Heh
What was that battle-cry in Poul Anderson’s The High Crusade?
God send the Right!
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Keep up the fire!]
If you think the last wave was fun with the hijack from various GOP related groups wait until the next round. Organisers are going to have make sure they got some good armor…
It is about time we take back this great country of ours,and follow the principles our forefathers established,and stop adding to and changing our Constitution,it has been working just fine until Pres.H.Obama and his gang were elected,….We need to get back to the basics,small government,low taxes,and no more debt…that is the Abe.Lincoln way….God Bless the 1st.John 5;5….
To: Chuck Pelto
Here’s an interesting exercise.
Paste.
“communist russia was great”
including the quotation marks,
into Google search.
press search
Wow, could spend all day reading and then another day replying.
I see there is quite a divide in whether we start a new party or revamp the old. “Meet the new boss same as the old boss”, comes to mind. George Washington opposed parties all together and 230 years later he knew what the problem was, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Do note the republican party is the 3rd party, Lincoln was their first president prior to that it was the Federalist and Democrats So we revamp it and our children have to revisit this day. Or we scrap it and start over, and our grandchildren revisit this day.
We all have to get our heads out of sands. Our Found Father would find our conservatism to be liberal enough to charge us with treason. I see statements like “constitutional rights”, excuse me, come again there are no constitutional rights. The constitution is a 2 x 2 prison for our government (not us) that was written to allow them a 6 x 6 space and food to be given to them once a year. The constitution is a grant of authority to our governments. To say it grants rights is an oxymoron, ie. “We the People” grant ourselves rights. To say the constitution grants us right means our rights our derived from some man with a gold band inlaid with gems on his head. Time to go read it a little bit closer, what it does NOT say is more impressive than what it does.
And now comes the question you all would ask is how would I go about fixing this nation, if not what you have proposed. Simple empower the counties, townships, burrows, ect. to kick the federal and state governments out. The 13 colonies after their victory considered themselves sovereign countries, that banded together to ensure economic, political and religious freedom. Most those original “countries” were smaller than a majority of our counties today, population wise. Get the power back down to the most infinitesimal government body and “We the People” will have a very easy time controlling them. And the real value is, this way if your county is too liberal (ie abortion, taxes, marriage, school, guns, religion, ect) move a few miles and your in a counties that isn’t.
Note there is 10 to 1 red counties to blue. We own the country just we keep failing to capitalize on it. And once we control our counties the federal and state governments broke and powerless fall into defacto limited governments.
We all keep trying to turn the dragon in Washington into a puppy and all he does is keep eating the puppies (local government) at our feet. Leave the dragon alone and take care of your puppies and 100,000 german shepherds will, one day, kill that dragon.
We should regard the republican hierarchy, as terminally infected with globalism,corporatism,and cowardice.We should create a third party,and relegate them to the trashcan of history,just as we have done to the “mainstream”media. The GOP would love to co-opt and thefore, defang the tea party movement.
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Maine’s Republican Party is so weak it’s practically nonexistent.
At the top you’ve got the Two RINOs, Collins and Snowe. Beaneath them you have bright, amiable but nilgravitas fellows like Frary, laughingstocks like Woodcock, evil trolls like Mills, and lovable rogues like Stavros. Hardly any credible candidates. When Collins and Snowe reture, that will be the end of statewide GOP officeholding. THe solution is to create an affinity party, much like Democrat Farm-Labor worked in the northwest for the Democrats. Call it the Independence Party; call it Fred. Whatever you call it, don’t call it Republican. We need a new mainstream party of the right in Maine (NOT the Paultards or the rump Libertarians — most right-Libertarians went GOP in 2000), as the Maine GOP is full of self-important lightweights without hope of statewide success.
Andrew forgets to note that the crowd that was present at his tea party were left over from the 2pm tea party who had over 700 people already present when he arrived. Since he could not attract these people away from the existing tea party, (he was off speaking to 12 people that he brought himself) He decided to come over to the large existing group and take over the group himself. As the self-proclaimed leader of the Maine events, he tried to sabotage any group that he did not initiate. However, in spite of Andrew and his attacks on the other tea party leaders, they did a great job of attracting a crowd, distributing information and allowing attendees to speak their mind. Dodge’s portion of the event would have had 12 people in attendance without the other organizers so he should be thanking them rather than railing against them. Andrew did plenty of complaining, but offered few solutions. I’ll follow the Paint Maine Red and Maine Patriots group who have solutions and provide direction, rather than this self-indulgent person who shows himself talking in the videos rather than anyone else. Shameful. I was there the whole time and believe me, Pete and Amy are much better leaders.
I just found out that district 119 in Portland, Maine is an open seat. The incumbent Herbert C. Adams is termed out this year ( 2010 ) A dem, Mohammed Dein..not sure I am spelling the last name right, is trying to get enough signatures to run for state legislature, district 119…I can’t find ANYONE else running for this seat…anyone have any futhur info? The signatures have to be in by Thurday..two days from today (today is March 9, 2010)
We need to do a better job at the local level people….never mind the infighting….we have more important issues that need our immediate attention…like how is it that a dem is running for an empty seat, uncontested…as far as I can find out….please tell me I am wrong?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEOPLE….let’s get with the program and get people into these seats….people that we want…never mind the bickering….it’s not important…the ELECTION IS….OPEN SEAT…INCUMBENT TERMED OUT…DISTRICT 119 STATE LEGISLATURE PORTLAND MAINE….