Tea Partying v. Tea Bagging

In the interest of picking up some of the slack on our weekly juvenile antics, something occurred to me about the Left's continual attempt at describing Tea Party attendees as "Tea-Baggers."

If you already know the definition of someone who teabags versus someone getting teabagged, then you can follow my line of thinking. If you don't know the definition then you may need to go to the Urban Dictionary to understand.

Using a little logic, the demonstrators are the teabaggers, therefore they are the ones doing the teabagging. This only leaves the question, "Who is getting teabagged?" Well, that would be the administration and all those supporting them (i.e. the Far-Left and the O2 deprived).

With this in mind, I would rather be the teabagger than the teabagee. Interesting the Left are the ones with male sexual organs on their foreheads but somehow in their warped logic the Tea Party goers are the people being insulted. Oh, those on the Far-Left are so clever, aren't they?

Man, we got 2010 in the teabag, lol.

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Edmund Burke and a Progressive went to a Tea Party.

"He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper." -Sir Edmund Burke

It was a comment I read on Frank Strategies, refuting accusations that the Tea Party demonstrations are being formed by corporate lobbyists, that got me thinking about Sir Edmund Burke.

I’ve been working in politics professionally for 15 years, and I can attest that this is undoubtedly an organic grassroots movement unlike anything else I’ve ever seen on the Right.

Burke was an 18th century Irish Orator and Parliamentarian who is credited with opening the door of thought for modern day conservatism. Burke's defining moment was in his writing, "Reflections," later to be titled, "Reflections on the French Revolution." While there is much more to Burke, it was with this single book in which he epitomized his philosophical brand.

Burke was a believer in "organic reform" versus "abstract principles."

However, Burke did not oppose reform per se. He believed in organic reform and organic growth: that is, natural evolution. He had no time for drastic revolution. He opposed rapid, uncontrolled change, as was happening in France, particularly since the demolition of the Ancient Regime was in the hands of amateurs who had little or no political expertise.

America, it now seems, is in a similar, but far less violent, situation as the French after their "hope and change" was enacted.

In his Second Speech on Concilliation with America Burke wrote,

"Deny them (The Colonists) this participation of freedom, and you break that sole bond which originally made and must still preserve the unity of the empire. Do not entertain so weak an imagination as that your registers and your bonds, your affidavits and your sufferances, your cockets and your clearances, are what form the great securities of your commerce.

Do not dream that your letters of office and your instructions and your suspending clauses are the things that hold together the great contexture of the mysterious whole. These things do not make your government.

Dead instruments, passive tools as they are, it is the spirit of the English communion that gives all their life and efficacy to them. It is the spirit of the English Constitution, which, infused through the mighty mass, pervades, feeds, unites, invigorates, vivifies every part of the empire, even down to the minutest member."

As Burke so poignantly expresses, it is not the legislative processes or policies which make for good governance, it is the people. Their community and spirit are what drives the engine of this country and gives it its life. By potentially denying them their freedom, whether it be socially or economically, the very fabric and meaning of the Union could be dissolved.

Some are starting to recognize the attempted creation of an expansive government burdened by debt and economic controls, which are both extrinsic and incongruous to with which they are familiar. Potentially entering dangerous territory from where there could be no return.

Even more disturbing is the speed at which the "Hope and Change Revolution" is morphing.

Government, cannot systematically solve all problems and social ills that infect our society and culture, contrary to what we are being led to believe. Nevertheless, there is a basic need for its existence. An existence which should be be taken seriously by those governing and those being governed, for the sake of future generations.

From Reflections on the French Revolution.

Society is indeed a contract. Subordinate contracts for objects of mere occasional interest may be dissolved at pleasure — but the state ought not to be considered as nothing better than a partnership agreement in a trade of pepper and coffee, calico or tobacco, or some other such low concern, to be taken up for a little temporary interest, and to be dissolved by the fancy of the parties. It is to be looked on with other reverence; because it is not a partnership in things subservient only to the gross animal existence of a temporary and perishable nature. It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in all perfection. As the ends of such a partnership cannot be obtained in many generations, it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are to be born.

This wisdom shows us that the practice of responsibility by our government and citizenry is far more important than our agendas.

From Burke's speech on the Independence of Parliament (1780)

Corrupt influence, which is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder; which loads us, more than millions of debt; which takes away vigor from our arms, wisdom from our councils, and every shadow of authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution.

The Tea Parties, or even the Left's variations, are a natural counter-revolutionary movement in response to this attempt at an agenda driven revolution of thought. With people starting to stand in peaceful opposition, it is only natural that attempts of discrediting their intentions, character assassination, or painting them in the light of extremism are being made by politically dominant.

There is so much more to Burke than I could ever hope to post here, he, like many other conservative thinkers, is a blog unto his own. His thoughts and philosophies have greatly influenced my own personal brand of conservatism. I can only hope that within this fervor of populism some might find solace and wisdom in Burke's words. Becoming inspired to lead a new generation of thought, that is more suited to our country and needs.

(H/T memeorandum)

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Tea Parties and Toeing the Party Line

On April 15th, America's infamous tax day, tens of thousands of Americans are planning to protest wanton government taxation, borrowing, and spending. But the latest questions arising are is it a fringe movement being driven by party interests and media or a legitimate attempt to bring attention to the above mentioned problems no matter what your political affiliation?

If you are not familiar with how this all started, the On Air Editor for CNBC, Rick Santelli, seemingly captured the mood of many in the country and called for an impromptu Tea Party in Chicago to protest the Obama stimulus package. After that, Tea Parties started popping up across the country and started getting organized.

Personally I think the concept of organizing a grassroots movement against the crazed government spending that America has been subjected to, by Obama and Bush, is a fantastic idea. Nevertheless, I am always skeptical about the agenda of an activist movement, even it happens to match my own philosophy.

While digging into this I came up with three websites that seem to be the tip of the spear for this movement; Tax Day Tea Party, The Tea Party Revolution, and The Reteaparty.

The Tax Day Tea Party

The Tax Day Tea Party is organized by Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, the DontGo Movement . Being familiar with SGP and Top Conservatives on Twitter, it suffices to say this organized effort has strong roots in conservatism. Conversely, there is no mention of the GOP or any support provided by Republican members of government in their mission statement.

Eric Odom, owner of Don'tGoMovement.com actually has a post concerning this issue and he sums it up nicely.

Why do we use “Silent Majority” as our national brand?

Because the vast majority of those involved in the Tea Party effort are people who have sat at home yelling at their TV’s for the past few years. This is a group of folks who have gone on with their lives in attempt at the American dream, only to be shell shocked by a sudden and bold surge towards full scale socialism… and we’ve had enough?!

Most of those involved in the Tea Party Movement do not wish to see something with RNC or DNC involvement. We do not want the failed two party structure injecting itself into this movement for political gain.

That’s not to say that there aren’t Republicans or Democrats involved, because we have people identify themselves as both involved all across the country.

But there is certainly no evidence whatsoever that the Tea Party Movement is some kind of orchestrated GOP effort disguising itself as non-partisan. In fact, the evidence suggests quite the opposite.

Take Chicago, for example. A hand full of local young Republicans have been trolling and following me all over the web in an attempt to attack me at every opportunity. They hunt me down on Twitter and Facebook, lashing out at me because I refused to promote their REPUBLICAN sponsored event happening later in the day on April 15th.

Indeed, the FUNDED organizations and media outlets of the left are swinging at this movement from all angles, attempting to paint this as a GOP backed effort. But the reality is that thousands of free-market minded Americans don’t see it that way.

The DontGo Movement was attacked last year by these same groups who claimed that we were taking oil money (still waiting on those magical checks, BTW), and now they claim we’re under the spell of the Republican Party.

What part of “we’re just Americans and we’re mad as hell” do they not understand?

Are they a fringe movement? If you explore the comments section on the about page, the most radical idea being proposed is not paying your taxes on April 15th (I can live with that.) and opposing the Obama administration on its spending habits. Not exactly a dangerous domestic militia movement some are trying to portray them as. I think the only ones who have anything to fear from these people are Senators and Congresssmen in 2010, when it's time to vote.

The Tea Party and Revolution

The next one is the Tea Party and Revolution, this site gives a little more information on their stances and concerns. The second line of their mission statement is the one that jumped out at me.

We are citizens who see a fundamental disconnect between our government and its citizens.

How true.

TP & R goes on to to say they do not support any particular candidate or political party and are trying to assist America's citizenry in becoming informed and engaged. Concerning their resource page, the furthest right publication they provide is the Weekly Standard and the furthest left is NewsWeek. I guess if you are one of those who think people that support the Constitution are fringe, then this site isn't for you.

The ReTea Party

This site was organized by PEAC (The Political Exploration and Awareness Committee) which claims to have to have no connections to a particular political party, candidate, or candidates committee. However, they do call for the drafting of three candidates for various offices, they are, Rand Paul, Andrew “The Judge” Napolitano, and Peter Schiff.

I was particularly impressed by the end of their mission statement.

Our team is a small group of young individuals who see the future as an opportunity to reinvigorate our faith in voluntary action, non-partisanship, and free thought. We recognize that many of our chosen leaders have good intentions. There are good Republicans. There are wise Democrats. Libertarians and third parties deserve more respect; but, the independent mind should always be championed. Re-Declare Your Independence.

I am gathering that this movement was created by some Ron Paul supporters and seems to have strong Libertarian ties. Not necessarily a bad thing and hardly constitutes a "fringe element."

All of these grassroots organizations are undeniably conservative in their nature. However, not one of these sites is calling for anything more than grassroots participation by average Americans against overreaching spending by the federal government, I saw nothing advocating violence. Quite to the contrary, they were supporting political engagement and becoming more informed about the political goings on in the Beltway.

Opposition from Left-leaning activists should be expected. Dating back to the 60's they have owned the protest movement and now they are being challenged by a somewhat effective and successful counterpart from the Right. Propaganda such as tying them to militia movements, claims that they advocate violence and overthrow of the government, and the classics, they are racists and homophobes should be expected. No one wants to give up territory they have fought for forty years to gain.

The main difference I see between the Tea Parties and left wing organizations such as Moveon.org,aside from agendas, is the organizers of the Tea Parties have actually reached out to Democrats and Independents. To put it more succinctly, they have reached out to Americans. These responses and their development over the next few years will be interesting to watch.

Related Articles:

Fox News-With Tea Parties, Members of Congress Watch From the Sidelines

H/T memeorandum.

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