Tea Parties Video

[Elphaba]

I'm sure most of you have seen the "tea parties" popping up all over the country. If not, they're usually patriots severely opposed to Obama, believe he is cirmunventing the Constitution, and to some is, literally, the anti-Christ.

Frnakly, I've never been able to determine what they specifically want, or are ging to do. There's a lot of lofty rhetoric about "We're fighting for our frieedom," but there is a dearth of information as to how they are going to do that, exaclty. Or maybe it's out there and I just haven't seen it.

Anyway, I found this video about tea parties that cracked me up.

Enjoy,

Elphaba

[Moksha]

Those New Englanders think they have the grip on conservative rhetoric and provincialism, eh? Wait till they see a Long Island Tea Soirée, an Orange County Tequila Sunrise Regatta or especially a Utah County Red Punch Road Show.

[miztrniceguy]

my wife and i are planning to attend the KC tea party with our children.

[Palerider]

Are any of these parties serving green Jello............:D

[skippy740]

I'm sure most of you have seen the "tea parties" popping up all over the country. If not, they're usually patriots severely opposed to Obama, believe he is cirmunventing the Constitution, and to some is, literally, the anti-Christ.

Frnakly, I've never been able to determine what they specifically want, or are ging to do. There's a lot of lofty rhetoric about "We're fighting for our frieedom," but there is a dearth of information as to how they are going to do that, exaclty. Or maybe it's out there and I just haven't seen it.

Anyway, I found this video about tea parties that cracked me up.

Enjoy,

Elphaba

TEA parties = Taxed Enough Already

Just as with the Original Boston Tea Party, this is a message to those in office that we won't take any more run-away spending of our tax money which will simply cause an increase in our own taxation - if it isn't circumvented.

[Elphaba]

TEA parties = Taxed Enough Already

Just as with the Original Boston Tea Party, this is a message to those in office that we won't take any more run-away spending of our tax money which will simply cause an increase in our own taxation - if it isn't circumvented.

Well, I did know it had to do with the Boston Tea Party--I'm not that dense. However, I did not know it was an anacronym, and it's very clever! So thanks for that.

As far as "we won't take any more run-away spending," what exactly are you going to do about it?

I don't know if American Solutions for Leading the Future is the national website for the movement, but it seemed to be, and while the site is still under construction, I was impressed with it.

I was surprised by how many of the "solutions" were redundant boilerplate that sometimes replicated Obama's platform. The one on the environment particularly struck me.

I found the religious "solution" disappointing, and not just because I'm an atheist. One of the reasons recent polls show a drop in religiosity, specifically Christian, is because of the overextended power the evangelical religious right had on the government for at least the last eight years. This TEA organization's platform seemed similar to that, and misrepsented how religion is handled in the public forum. However, I do know this religious platform will appeal to a significant number of people in the TEA party.

Here is where I get confused. Yesterday I watched a video of a TEA party get-together, where the apparent leader was spouting "get our kids out of college, they're brainiwashing them," to which a woman yelled "burn all the books." The man passionately continued on he wasn't going to pay taxes anymore.

Is that typical your platform? Burn books? Not pay taxes? Take your kids out of college? Or was this a rogue TEA party meeting?

Becuase if that is typical, good luck with that.

If not, then good luck for real.

Elphaba

Edited April 12, 2009 by Elphaba

[Maxel]

Are these connected to the tea parties that Fox News is hosting on April 15th? They sound similar, but the platform is a far cry from burning books- the ones Fox is hosting are connected to The 9-12 Project, with the stated purpose of "making our politicians follow the Principles and Values".

I'd love to attend one in my home state, but my car is broken and the nearest one is an hour away. I'd like to see what they're like first-hand.

[RachelleDrew]

I found the religious "solution" disappointing, and not just because I'm an atheist. One of the reasons recent polls show a drop in religiosity, specifically Christian, is because of the overextended power the evangelical religious right had on the government for at least the last eight years. This TEA organization's platform seemed similar to that, and misrepsented how religion is handled in the public forum. However, I do know this religious platform will appeal to a significant number of people in the TEA party.

Here is where I get confused. Yesterday I watched a video of a TEA party get-together, where the apparent leader was spouting "get our kids out of college, they're brainiwashing them," to which a woman yelled "burn all the books." The man passionately continued on he wasn't going to pay taxes anymore.

Is that typical your platform? Burn books? Not pay taxes? Take your kids out of college? Or was this a rogue TEA party meeting?

Becuase if that is typical, good luck with that.

If not, then good luck for real.

Elphaba

^Not typical, not at all. The majority of people who were at the one I went to are college graduates themselves.

The one I attended didn't place all the blame on Obama or Bush. We were mostly libertarians who don't really care for the policies of either.

[Kawazu]

^Not typical, not at all. The majority of people who were at the one I went to are college graduates themselves.

The one I attended didn't place all the blame on Obama or Bush. We were mostly libertarians who don't really care for the policies of either.

Regardless of the party in power, ceaseless corporate welfare and special catering to the financial sector, (especially if shown ineffective), will frustrate many taxpayers.

In a way, I think these, "tea parties" are an outgrowth of bailout fatigue.

[Elphaba]

^Not typical, not at all. The majority of people who were at the one I went to are college graduates themselves.

The one I attended didn't place all the blame on Obama or Bush. We were mostly libertarians who don't really care for the policies of either.

Good to know.

Elphaba

[rameumptom]

The Tea Parties are a peaceful way for Americans to voice their opinion. Many do not feel that they are being properly represented. For example, Congress passes the TARP money for specific things, then the Executive branch uses the money in a different way altogether (yes, that began with Bush, but continues under Obama. And most of these people are disgusted with both parties).

When the big banks are being bailed out with little or no oversight, while American manufacturers and small businesses are getting hit hard by the crooked efforts of those being bailed out, just why should we feel we are being represented?

The Feds and Congress have now obligated over $13 Trillion! It would only have cost $10 trillion to pay off all the mortgages in the nation. That would have been cheaper to do, would have stimulated our economy, and helped all Americans, not just those who did stupid things.

[Guest HEthePrimate]

LOL -- Funny video!

I don't know about everybody else, but my taxes are actually going down. I'm not wealthy enough to be targeted for the tax hikes. My boss, who owns the small business I work at, is big into the "Tea Party" thing. Funny thing is the business doesn't make enough money to be taxed more, either. (Shrugging my shoulders.) Guess he's just altruistic towards wealthier people?

In any case, the original Boston Tea Party was NOT about runaway spending. It was about taxation without representation. Hate to break the news, folks, but you are represented--maybe reps who think like you are outnumbered, but hey, them's the breaks in a country where the majority rules.

HEP

[Elphaba]

Hate to break the news, folks, but you are represented--maybe reps who think like you are outnumbered, but hey, them's the breaks in a country where the majority rules.

This reminds me of a hilarious Jon Stewart spot where he basically says the same thing.

I've transcribed it, but obviously it's going to lose a lot in the telling since Stewart's delivery is half of the laughs. But maybe you can get the gist from the transcripts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Barracknaphobia!

Stewart: When Barrack Obama ran for president, he campaigned on a platform, that included affordable healthcare, raising taxes on those making $250,000 a year or more, reinserting ourselves more in Afghanistan, pulling back from Iraq.

Since being elected, he has moved . . . sometimes with speed . . . sometimes with caution.

[Cut to Beck, Hannity, etc.: Beck: “Tyranny;” Hannity: “Fascism,” “Tyranny.”]

Stewart: So not only is Obama a total jerk whose gonna let Europe run roughshod over us. He’s also an iron-fisted tyrant who will break anybody who won’t bend to his will. It’s gotten so bad . . . ,

[Cut to man being interviewed by conservative station: “My children go to a public school in Los Angeles. Since Barack Obama’s been president, they no longer call it St. Patrick’s Day, they call it “Potato Day“ instead of “St Patrick‘s Day.” It‘s a destruction of the language, politically correct . . .”]

Stewart: A, I don’t think that was coming from Obama himself, and B, I’m not Irish, but I don’t think saying “Potato Day,” is more politically correct than St. Patrick’s Day.

I think it might be worse.

. . . .

Stewart: So, government’s taking over our schools, our healthcare, our corporations, our personal liberties--it’s scary.

And while President Bush was the one who started the bailout, nationalized the insurance companies, added $17 trillion to a Medicare drug program, added a government-mandated school system,--literally called “No Child Left Behind”--wiretaps without warrants, and secret internment camps. . . only now . . . with the advent of “Potato Day’ . . . has “tyranny” come to our shores.

[Cut to Michele Bachman on Hannity: Bachman: We’re gonna fight for our freedom; Hannity: Absolutely . . . Against tyranny!]

Stewart: Yes, “Tyranny” . . . AKA . . . our DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

C’mere (scoots chair over). . . Guys, I think you might be confusing “tyranny“ . . . with “losing.”

I feel for you, cause I’ve been there. A few times--in fact one of them was a nail biter.

But see, when the guy that you disagree with gets elected, he’s probably going to do things you disagree with. He could cut taxes on the wealthy, remove government’s oversight capability, invade a country you think should not be invaded, and so on.

That’s not “tyranny.“ That’s "DEMOCRACY!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope that made sense, becuase it's hilarious on tape.

Elphaba

[NeuroTypical]

America is founded on the principle that when folks pour into the streets to march and gripe and yell, the government listens. Popular 'useless gatherings' have accompanied woman's sufferage, civil rights, losing the Vietnam war, and dozens of other weighty issues. Numbers speak loudly to our elected representatives - just remember how much squealing and howling was done after only 400,000 showed up to the 'million man march' - Louis Farrakhan threatened to sue the govt agency doing the counting.

So here's the hope - if millions of Americans pour out into their streets to gripe about X (be it high taxes or horrible deficit spending on liberal non-stimulative stimulus), elected folks will see their re-elections in jeopardy, and will change their tune.

LM

[Guest HEthePrimate]

America is founded on the principle that when folks pour into the streets to march and gripe and yell, the government listens. Popular 'useless gatherings' have accompanied woman's sufferage, civil rights, losing the Vietnam war, and dozens of other weighty issues. Numbers speak loudly to our elected representatives - just remember how much squealing and howling was done after only 400,000 showed up to the 'million man march' - Louis Farrakhan threatened to sue the govt agency doing the counting.

So here's the hope - if millions of Americans pour out into their streets to gripe about X (be it high taxes or horrible deficit spending on liberal non-stimulative stimulus), elected folks will see their re-elections in jeopardy, and will change their tune.

LM

Hmmm... maybe you're right, and we should organize pro-Obama rallies! We have BIGGER numbers than you do, after all.

BTW, which side were conservatives on during women's suffrage and civil rights? And why do you folks never complain about horrible deficit spending when it's your president doing it (like Ronald Reagan and "Dubyah"), usually on some war or out-of-control military spending? I'd rather see a stimulus package that does not involve killing...

Elphaba, your transcript of Jon Stewart was very funny!

HEP

[LittleWyvern]

If anybody is wondering, here's the clip Elphaba referenced.

EDIT: Elphaba, you missed the main message!

You've been out of power for 10 weeks! You've got midterm elections in 20 months, pace your rage! This stress is not good for you.

Edited April 13, 2009 by LittleWyvern

[Guest HEthePrimate]

Hey, Obama's mandatory organ donation plan could save a lot of lives, eh?

HEP

[Elphaba]

If anybody is wondering, here's the clip Elphaba referenced.

I didn't post the clip because there is some language--it's funny language--like the taco reference--but language nevertheless.

EDIT: Elphaba, you missed the main message!

I had that part, but was afraid it would just confuse things.

Now I'm glad I didn't add it. It had a much better impact putting the sentence on its own!

:rofl:indeed.

Elphaba

[LittleWyvern]

I didn't post the clip because there is some language--it's funny language--like the taco reference--but language nevertheless.

Well, it is completely censored out... I'll have to see what pam thinks about it.

Dear Moderators: if you don't want that video linked, just replace it with some weird 80's music video or something.

[rameumptom]

My main concern isn't being taxed. If I need to be taxed to pay for the nation's needs, then fine. I make less than $50K a year, so I'm nowhere near Obama's tax the rich bracket. In fact, I'm concerned when a majority do not pay taxes, as they have a voice in something they have not put anything into. There was a reason the Founding Fathers insisted that people own property (not just have a foreclosure on it) in order to vote. They wanted to make sure that thinking people were involved in the elections.

The reality is, 50% of all voters are below average in their thinking. And about that many voted for all the incumbents over the past 9 years that have been reeking havoc on our economy.

My biggest issue is that we are giving money to the government to pay for things that should be done by the private sector. I recall years ago that one news program used to show wastes in government. On one show, they visited a guy who worked for the federal government in the FDA. His job? To check the consistency of ketchup, to ensure it wasn't too thick or thin! Why is this a government function? If I think ketchup brand A is too runny, I'll purchase another brand, and put brand A out of business, or force them to fix their problems.

Same with car manufacturers. If GM can't compete, let them declare bankruptcy, fix/reinvent themselves, or go away.

Pumping trillions of dollars we don't have into the banking system, just so nothing fails, does not fix the system. It just prevents our favorite children from going hungry, while they continue doing what they've always done before.

As I said before, we could have spent trillions less on paying off everyone's mortgages AND stimulated the economy AND helped all Americans, not just the stupid and corrupt ones who caused this problem in the first place. It would have refunded the banks without government intervention. It would have given everyone enough money to buy a new car, but still allow GM to declare bankruptcy and reinvent itself without government intervention.

If I no longer had to worry about financing my house, I'd have hundreds of dollars every month available to me immediately for purchasing and saving other things.

I have a BS in Business. I don't see why a few PhDs and "smart" people like Geithner and Bernanke couldn't have figured out the same thing. Instead, they are experimenting with everything on the sly (we aren't being told what is happening until after the fact), and boosting government intervention in the process. I really hate the fact that banks are not being allowed to return the TARP money, because the Feds want to keep a controlling hand in everyone's business.

Just when did I elect Tim Geithner or Ben Bernanke? I didn't elect Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker, either. Those three are going to destroy this nation. We may see a recovery from all the money being pumped into the system, but the bubble will burst in just a few years, and there will be nothing left to bail anything out with.

[bytor2112]

Hmmm... maybe you're right, and we should organize pro-Obama rallies! We have BIGGER numbers than you do, after all.

I am not even sure what that means........bigger numbers as in more liberals than conservatives? More Obama supporters than people opposed to Obama? More liberals than conservatives?

BTW, which side were conservatives on during women's suffrage and civil rights? And why do you folks never complain about horrible deficit spending when it's your president doing it (like Ronald Reagan and "Dubyah"), usually on some war or out-of-control military spending? I'd rather see a stimulus package that does not involve killing...

The Republican Party was the first major party to support Womens Suffrage in 1896........and I am fairly certain that the Republicans also supported Civil rights laws, while Democrats opposed them. ( Dr. Martin Luther King was a Republican). And "DUbya and Reagan were light weights when it comes to out of control spending compared to Obama.

[bytor2112]

I don't know about everybody else, but my taxes are actually going down. I'm not wealthy enough to be targeted for the tax hikes. My boss, who owns the small business I work at, is big into the "Tea Party" thing. Funny thing is the business doesn't make enough money to be taxed more, either. (Shrugging my shoulders.) Guess he's just altruistic towards wealthier people?

They are going up on everyone in 2010.....when the Bush tax cuts expire and then you will be targeted. Everyone....the 10% rate goes up to 15%. We all feel the impact of higher taxes.

In any case, the original Boston Tea Party was NOT about runaway spending. It was about taxation without representation. Hate to break the news, folks, but you are represented--maybe reps who think like you are outnumbered, but hey, them's the breaks in a country where the majority rules.

Do you really think our elected leader really express the will of their constituents? Really? DO people really feel like out of control spending is sound fiscal policy? (and that shouldn't be a (D) or ® thing.) Do you really think that Americans believe that higher taxes stimulate economic growth? (well maybe the dumb ones, which could be a very large percentage, so maybe I am wrong on that one.) Somehow the word wealthy gets thrown around like there contribution to the economic prosperity of our country is meaningless or that the economy isn't impacted somehow if taxes are raised on them??

Edited April 13, 2009 by bytor2112

[Elphaba]

Well, it is completely censored out... I'll have to see what pam thinks about it.

If it is censored out, then dang, you guys need to WATCH this!

Elphba

[Aesa]

I'm sure most of you have seen the "tea parties" popping up all over the country. If not, they're usually patriots severely opposed to Obama, believe he is cirmunventing the Constitution, and to some is, literally, the anti-Christ.

Frnakly, I've never been able to determine what they specifically want, or are ging to do. There's a lot of lofty rhetoric about "We're fighting for our frieedom," but there is a dearth of information as to how they are going to do that, exaclty. Or maybe it's out there and I just haven't seen it.

Anyway, I found this video about tea parties that cracked me up.

Enjoy,

Elphaba

For the majority of them, it's just what Ron Paul proposes.

Monetary reform, election reform, etc,.

You see, the original American Revolution (as Benji Frank said) was to escape the Central Banking model that King George had forced the colonies to use (borrow money from the central bank of England) - so basically they want to go back to the real free market.

Unfortunately, this can only work for a very short while unless we paralyse technological automation forever because the automation of technology basically spells the end of the monetary system because it's going to continually displace people and leave them without purchasing power. I'll provide sources of info on this sort of stuff if anyone is interested.

In the true free-market, the money is not created by a central bank (and certainly not a private bank such as The Fed). Unfortunately for the people who advocate this, it's a model that was made back when we were a sea-faring, horse-and-cart civilisation and it wont work very well at all with our culture (at least not for long) because we're so ahead of that sort of stuff.

[Elphaba]

Juw5 when did I elect Tim Geithner or Ben Bernanke? I didn't elect Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker, either. .

Yeah, I feel for you.

I never elected Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Alberto Gonzalez, Karl Rove, Scooter Liibby, Condoleeza Rice, Alan Greenspan, Bob Bernanke, Tom Ridge, Karen Hughes, Micnael Brown, John Bolton, John Ashcroft,Harriet Miers, John (?) Yoo, Tom Delay, Rick Santorum, abd Phill Graham, just to pick of few off the top of my head.

It feels awtul to have people you despise at the top, doesn't it?

Elphaba