The Tea Party and its activists like to hitch their wagon to the States' revolutionary star. And, like those starry-eyed colonists, this quixotic bunch is looking to shuck off the yokes of an oppressive government and steer the nation toward the ever-elusive "good society." Now, as their national convention kicks off, backstage negotiations are paving the way for new "compacts" they think will help achieve their goals. Those edicts will either solidify the movement or suffocate it into oblivion.
There's a nagging lack of ideology within the tea party movement, and tensions are growing into splinters, which are on the verge of becoming chasms. Liz Lauber, a Missouri native who once worked for that reluctant Tea Party hero, Dick Armey, put the broader movement's mission best when she explained her own congressional candidacy: "If you hold principles in front of you, you can get a lot of good things done. That's the arch of politics." Other hopefuls, like Floridian Eric Forcade, a deputy sheriff, echoes Lauber's remarks, saying that he's "a common man fighting for common sense." Such a campaign slogan taps into the larger meme pumping through the movement. The trouble with common sense, however, is that they don't always make sense. Nor are they always common, for it's growing increasingly clear that not all tea parties, nor their allies, share the same perspective - or, for that matter, principles.
This weekend's big tea party convention provides the most glaring example of the movement's woes. The gathering was meant to cement the Tea Party movement's place as a heavy hitter in the political arena. That dream, however, may have come to an end now that organizers Judson and Sherry Phillips have been accused of profiteering. Citing potential ethics investigations, Michele Bachman and Marsha Blackburn, both of whom were meant to speak, have pulled out, leaving the movement reeling.
While we pundits and gawkers stand in fascinated - perhaps Schadenfreude-fueled - awe, tea party allies don't seem too shocked. "Given the popularity of the Tea Party/912 movement, it does not surprise me that some would try to exploit the movement and profit from it," insisted Phil Troyer, a congressional candidate from Indiana. He doesn't call himself a tea partier, but has aligned himself with them and their beliefs.
Troyer went on to blame a few bad apples for the scandal before noting, "I believe there will always be people who try to figure out a way to profit from a popular enterprise - no matter what it is." Quite right. But it's such economic expressions that are helping fuel the tea party movement.
The Teabaggers are tapping into a brand of populism that, however historically familiar, has been tinged by the raw capitalism that fueled the nation's growth. "The Free Market shall rise again" might as well be a collective Teabagger slogan, because so many of the movements adherents remain convinced that everyone in power, even Republicans, is out to turn the US into the next USSR. "[The Republicans] don't seem to understand that the Tea Party movement is quite aware that moderate Republicans are just as bad as liberal Democrats," explained Forcade. "This results in a choice of either heading towards socialism slowly with the Republican or quickly with the Democrat." Still, the shared experience of opposition to Democratic rule and ideologue Republicans hasn't brought the movement any closer together. It's tearing them apart.
Obviously aware that the movement - and their dreams - are on the verge of an inescapable abyss, a number of tea party candidates and their allies are releasing their own version of a litmus test, which they may very well view as a 21st century Declaration of Independence. The rhetorical British aren't simply coming; they're here, and they're wearing both blue and red coats.
Questionnaires and surveys are nothing new to the American political system. Most politically active social groups, like the LGBT group Human Rights Campaign, send surveys to candidates as a way to judge their stance on controversial issues. The tea party movement has dozens of self-reflective dictates. They help set things straight, so to speak. But the Tea Party movement absolutely overflows with subjective rules and regulations. Forcade, for example, provides his own contract of promises on his website. The Tea Party Patriots, meanwhile, are penning their own document, which, they say, will be a compilation of ideas submitted by regular Joes, perhaps with a six-pack or two thrown in for good measure. But Lauber and Troyer, both of whom have labeled themselves Republican but strongly align themselves with the Tea Party movement, are going one step further and have penned a 10-point game plan called the "Compact with the American People." This moniker reminds one of Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America," which drove 1994's Republican Revolution.
There's no doubt that Gingrich's plan motivated this and other compacts. In fact, Troyer cites that very document when describing the Teabaggers' frustration. They feel "alienated," he says, because certain elected officials "failed to uphold the principles in the Contract with America." The result has been "a renewed effort to force candidates to make firm commitments and hold them accountable." While Troyer seems inclined to grant Gingrich at least some tacit credit, Lauber looks to her former boss, Dick Armey, who says he has received and is in the process of reviewing the compact.
Lauber scoffed at the idea that the Compact is a litmus test. "We stand by our 2010 Compact as the opportunity of a lifetime for candidates, and for America, but it's not a 'test.' Enacting it will be the test." Rather, the compact represents an "opportunity" for non-incumbent candidates from all parties to "honor the Tea Party movement's goals by standing as a credible alternative to politics as usual in Washington." And, yes, there are some credible suggestions, like increasing government transparency and creating term limits, which isn't a terrible idea. Other points, however, tap straight into the tea party's seditious nature, like stipulation seven: "Ban Socialism: prohibit the federal government from owning stock in private companies and require audit of the Federal Reserve." Yes, yes, this is all familiar tea party posturing, but it may also take the movement in a disastrous direction.
Troyer, Lauber and their allies want to create a big tent to accommodate the thousands of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who are frustrated with politics as usual. Similar documents, like Gingrich's aforementioned Contract, have proved successful. The extreme right-wing histrionics of this movement, however, risk relegating its candidates even further into the margins. Such stipulations could strangle candidates into rigid positions, positions not many seem inclined to break.
Chris Riggs, a Congressional candidate from California, promised me that if he makes it to Washington, he will not move one inch toward compromise: "If I were willing to compromise my values, then I wouldn't be any different from the man I am challenging, and voting for me would lose its appeal." Socialism failed in practice precisely for this reason.
Politicians from Mozambique to Germany hoped to create a "good society" by enacting more and more outlandish prerequisites for loyalty. Those who didn't fall in line were cut from the roster, or worse. I sincerely doubt that the Teabaggers would ever cross over into violence. In fact, almost everyone I spoke with about this article was more than friendly. But the idea of a Tea Party-drafted compact severely limits the movement's survival, because candidates would be forced to sign on to a document that not only doesn't' represent all Americans, but puts them into a prohibitive, ideological cage. These candidates and others, however, may not mind all that much, for not that any seem to expect the TP to live long and prosper.
None of the candidates I spoke to would say that the TP is just a trend. They did, however, accept the possibility it could all fizzle out. I asked Riggs whether he thought the movement had longevity, to which he replied, quite defensively, "It may. It may not. So what either way? If I had a crystal ball and could say for sure that it won't have longevity, then does that mean I should distance myself from it?" Forcade remained realistic, replying, simply, "You never really know." Lauber, meanwhile, took a more a more measured approach, telling me, "We will be a trend if the establishment Republicans in Washington abandons its quest for power and returns to its principles." Troyer echoed his ally, Lauber, insisting, "[Our longevity] depends upon how the Republican Party reacts to the movement." He then elaborated, "If it ignores the call to return to conservative principles and merely attempt to co-opt the movement into supporting its candidates, I believe the movement will remain separate from, and distrustful of, the GOP."
These responses don't convey an overwhelming amount of belief in the movement, but, still, despite all the absurdity and at times repulsive messages that come out of the Tea Party and its allies' camp, it's inspiring to know that American people haven't become pop-culture zombies who long only for the next "American Idol" results. Sadly, though, these people are shooting themselves in the foot by creating a "big tent" that is, in fact, a constriction. Whether their mission inspires adoration or revulsion remains, like common sense, a matter of opinion.
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Do they really believe there's such a thing as free market capitalism? Now, that is truly silly. Or, is that the point, and is the reason they love Palin?
If so, then do they favor:
gay marriage?
the legalization of marijuana?
a woman's right to choose?
If some journalist out there would simply ask them about these 3 points, then it would become crystal clear if the teabaggers are merely establishment republicans and born-agains in "new drag" or whether they are some new on the political scene.
My sense is they're just the same old republicans, born-agains with a smattering of Klan thrown in for good measure!
I am the Eric Forcade mentioned in the above article. I would like to answer the above question regarding my stance on those "social issues". Of course this is simply my stance and I do not speak for all of the "Tea Party" movement or candidates.
Regarding gay marriage and women's rights. My position is quite simple. It is a state rights issue and has no place in the federal government. If California wants to make gay marriage legal or women's rights then they have that right. If Texas or Florida wants to ban both, then again that is their right. These issues should be decided by each community since each one will have a different moral position on the matter. Based on what we see coming out of DC, no one should look to them to be our moral compass.
Regarding legalized Marijuana, I pretty much have the same response. It's a state issue, but of course the federal government does have some say since marijuana does come in from outside our borders. So, my federal position is this. Give me a comprehensive study regarding the health effects in comparison to tobacco. If it is the same or less than tobacco it should be legal, but I will add one caveat to that. While I could see it becoming legal, I do not advocate public consumption so I would require that it only be consumed in your own home.
www.ForcadeForCongress.com
Good question.
I think it has something to do with our military and using uranium weapons. Sickened vets are silenced by the threat of loosing their health care. It is part of a big, and I mean BIG, cover up.
If we get health care reform to actually help people like it should, the people being silenced by various things would no longer be silenced. Big polluters want them silent, not speaking in court. Of course buying the courts is another alternative for them ...
http://bit.ly/bMdX8e
Actually I think your Al Qaeda reference is pretty good. A much smaller force, with the fire in their belly, can sure play havoc with the mega power. Thank you....
Also to the unrelated Patriot Act complaint, I think history has shown that it has saved many lives and has been a minimal intrusion on the US citizen, and I won’t argue torture with you nor abortion, they are both unrelated to the subject and I have a feeling we won’t change each others mind.
People trying to profit from a popular enterprise USED to be called entrepreneurs. Unless you want to profit from the 'free markets' contigent, then you're a "bad apple". So they fight for the right of these so-called "profiting from enterprise" people to have their way with the rest of America, but just not the 'real America. Got it. Another heaping helping of hypocrisy from the teaparty set.
Duct tape.....
What amazes me is how someone could write an article on the teabaggers without even alluding to the utter craziness, racism, anti-semitism, bigotry, &c. of their signage, the aggression & irrelevance of their messages, & their virtually uniform whiteness. How are such people presumed competent enough to run the country? Why are their simplistic approaches to complex problems even newsworthy? Ay.
I also found it interesting so many were having a wait and see on the long term party survival. I keep telling people it was all my idea, yet I'm not getting any questions about things like that from people who theoretically want to know. Nice touch about the crystal ball.
There are two kinds of people in the world, those who judge and those who learn. When your mind is busy judging, it is not open to learning.
And to Vet68, since when did the TEA Party become a lynch mob? I think the lynch mob is you, Bingo-Long and the press. Pretty darn close to slander/libel isn't it?
What is your evidence this is a lynch mob?
The reporter said they were happy and smiling. We are a non-violent movement, a peace movement. Why are you slandering me?
" virtually uniform whiteness "
Awfully racist of you, see a group of white people and assume it is a lynch mob.
I don't like where you are going with this, it sounds like you are stirring up violence. I have been a victim of that already, I am awfully thinned skinned. I think you need to apologize or offer up some evidence besides your hear-say and gossip. What is your source?
you saying Dick Army was a Tea Party hero just marked you for the Corporate Stooge you are.
Funny how the GOP was wanting a purity test, and now (so you say, but then, Praising Dick Army marks you) Tea Party, who is so fractured and splintered like you say
they are organized enough to get a 'purity test'?
or you just saying that like a good paid person
just working to make sure MONEY keeps the monopoly over American Politics
If you found out about this,
http://www.johnnygosch.com/cos.htm
and wanted to do something about it. I mean truly SOLVE the problem, what would you do?
I am a girl scout leader with ten years of experience in leadership of my two troops and big association events. When I discovered the issue in the link above, I was already deep into a project to end the drug war. I knew the drug war was all based on religion because I had already been being discriminated against for my religion by those same people.
I was prepared, but nothing prepared me for the story linked above. I have not recovered from it yet, add stuff like the movie "Beyond Treason"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNa3kiynQfw
and I think normal people can see what drives me.
Then there are the other kind of people in the world, let's just call them the predators. They want to cover this stuff up. I plan to expose them. Since a lot of them are in positions of government, we are going to need a lot of new people to run.
If you ever thought of running for office, do it now.
Now the DEMS have lost their Souls to Wall Street!
why else have the DEMS dropped their political positions after 40 years at the drop of Wall Streets hat?
They saw that Labor was rapidly diminishing in national influence (Thanks in part to the Con's propaganda since Reagan) and sought out corporate money to pick up the slack.
I still think that Clinton was the best Republican president since Eisenhower.
Can you be more creative in your name calling and spice up the place this evening, or I'm going to go back to doing my taxes.