The Tea Party

• abc33kr wrote on 2010-10-15 00:24
  Recently, I learned more about this movement (not a political party) in my AP Gov class because we are on the chapter about public opinions.
  
  I remember seeing news about the Tea Party on mabination, but the articles were too long and weren't interesting enough for me to bother.
  
  But from what I learned from the class, they started way back during the first 3 weeks of Obama admin (when he was going to pass stimulus). They were angry at how the government weren't doing what they were supposed to do. They said that the stimulus (which cost like $40billion) wasn't well thought out and a waste of money.
  
  More people joined the movement when it was time for income tax and many families found the tax to be outrageous.
  
  ---
  My opinions:
  I think this movement could actually solve some problems in America. One of them being how the candidates don't talk about their plans, but just troll/flame other candidates. Another being the candidates giving out very unrealistic plans like low tax+expensive gov program like medicare at the same time.
  
  However, the movement is very unorganized and the views vary so much that sometimes it seems like an extremist movement. That I admit is what they are doing wrong, but what they are doing right is that they actually care about politics. Unlike average people who just use politics as a conversation starter (sounds like us xP) or who just don't care, they call their senators and have rallies.
  
  Ultimately, my view is that if people don't like the Tea Party because it looks like an extremist movement, then do something about it (but don't burn stuff cuz that makes you even worse of an extremist). Call your senator about what you want, go to your town hall and rally about what you want, or even start a counter-movement against the Tea Party online.
  
  *anyways I would like to know more about this topic and I hope we can have a friendly discussion.*
  
  
  
  
  *crosses finger to not get locked cuz its too controversial*
  
  
  and also, please ignore trolls so that this thread is not derailed.
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-10-15 00:27
  Yes, perfect world studies project.
• Magenera wrote on 2010-10-15 01:56
  Yes someone understands, the Tea Party movement has good ideas and worries, but they from my perspective sells themselves to be extremist. Though the stimulus bill is from the last administration, though Congress is freaking slow at putting bills out as it is. Irony being that Congress was design to be like that on purpose, the best government, is a incompetent one.
• Lan wrote on 2010-10-15 01:57

  Quote from Magenera;184821:

  Yes someone understands, the Tea Party movement has good ideas and worries, but they from my perspective sells themselves to be extremist. Though the stimulus bill is from the last administration, though Congress is freaking slow at putting bills out as it is. Irony being that Congress was design to be like that on purpose, the best government, is a incompetent one.

  
  
  Elaborate please.
• Cucurbita wrote on 2010-10-15 01:58
  The general idea is understandable.
  
  The overall execution is absolutely horrendous and gives off a terrible message. Its almost nothing but racism and extremist actions.
• abc33kr wrote on 2010-10-15 02:15
  Ah.. so a good idea gone bad.
• Zid wrote on 2010-10-15 02:39
  Basically, yes. Not everybody is out there for bad things.
  
  Then again, that sounds like nearly every political agenda I know. The idea of doing good things, but the action is executed poorly usually.
• wolfram wrote on 2010-10-15 16:48
  The Tea Party execution isn't as well planned out as other organization since they don't have a central office. They are mostly connected through the same message overall of a fiscal government, adhering to the Constitution. The Tea Party mostly consist of "grassroots" organization although there are some coalition between certain groups, such as the forming of the Tea Party Express for example.
  
  I believe that they did come together under a very unifying theme and the government should start listening to the people that elect them into office. And for the government to live within its means. Many of the Tea Parties members are informed about politics and this is their way of speaking out that something needs to be changed. I also get the feeling that within each other they feel a sense of togetherness.
  
  Please note that the Economic Stimulus was $787 Billion, not $40 Billion. Also TARP, which is a whole other wad of money, the 40 billion, abc33kr, is referring too, used to bail out Financial Institutions/Auto Companies did originate during the Bush Administration closing months, but the Stimulus originated during the Obama Administration.
• Cucurbita wrote on 2010-10-15 17:58
  I'm all for getting a third party into the government. Or fourth.
• wolfram wrote on 2010-10-15 18:42
  There are minority parties, but they don't amount to much. No Funding. It would make the race for the Presidency excellent if there was more parties.
  Imagine the ads. LOL.
  
  Oh wait, most ads are crap. Just shut up and let me decide once you've actually talked to citizens without a moderator there.
  Otherwise a 3+ Race for President would by excellent.
• psyal wrote on 2010-10-15 18:42
  Way up there, I think he meant inefficient instead of incompetent.
  
  Theory is, if the goverment's inefficient, that anything put into congress takes tons of steps to actually take effect, and the only ones that get through fast are ones that everyone wants right away. Don't like it too much myself, but it's better than if they were super efficient and passed bills almost instantly all the time.
• wolfram wrote on 2010-10-15 18:53
  An inefficient government isn't one that can pass bills fast or pass them slowly. We all know if it looks good on paper is going to shoot through Congress so they can brag that they did something at home. Passing bills at a certain rate don't mean anything since bills have a start date written into them, it is how the bill is executed.
  
  It is once those bills are passed, how are they implemented? Are they through an already existing government department, or are they just adding to the bureaucracy in general. Also are the programs cost effective or even cost worthy after a few years? Also for checking up on the money, is it being well spent? Is there any fraud?
  
  Once again, passing bills don't mean anything in terms of government effectiveness.
  
  Note, government programs always will go into a negative to claim that they need more money the next year. They'll even have the last 3-4 weeks of a fiscal year to splurge on items "needed" to go into the red. If they show that they are in the black, its opps you got too much money, you get less this next year. How do i know this..? I was put in charge of inventory of a government department. Towards the end of year, I was ordered to order said items for the department.