When I was a kid and we were deciding what games to play and how to play them, our slogan was "the majority rules." That constant and lofty principle ranked right up there with "loser walks" after a touchdown in sandlot football. The bullies and the brats who stamped their feet to get their way did not make the rules. We carried the concept of majority rule into our adult lives and assumed it applied to government as well, but apparently that is no longer the case. Some of our elected representatives would bring down this country in pursuit of their own jihad. The majority no longer rules, and we are all losers as a result. When have we ever had a statute enacted when so many legislators voted their approval and simultaneously voiced their disapproval? The country is in a state of despair -- and for good reason. The stock market has obviously given the debt-ceiling "compromise" and the debate leading up to it a flunking grade as has Standard & Poor's.
Wiser voices have spoken about the consequences of the legislation saving the country from its credit default. I am interested and concerned with the process. The undisputed fact is that a minority of the country has taken over its control. Although the cabal may not share blood oaths or secret handshakes, they have their intractable pledges and fanaticism that makes them willing to destroy this country's and possibly the world's economy to achieve their ends. By holding up a vote on what had been a traditional rubber stamp for decades by both political parties to raise the debt limit, they sought to extort compliance with their own demands irrespective of the destruction that might ensue if their demands were not met. This conduct strikes at the very foundations of our democracy and the future of our country.
The same is true of the use, or rather the abuse, of the filibuster rule and need for a super-majority. The filibuster rule was enacted and reserved for those rare occasions when the minority was so incensed or outraged by legislation or appointments proposed by the majority or the president that it used this rule to defeat them. For years, an actual filibuster was required. Now, no one need stand in the well of the Senate and actually filibuster, the mere threat is sufficient, and the rule is used in a trivial manner to defeat or delay virtually all important legislation or appointments proposed by the majority. (I have previously expressed my ambivalence over the survival of 60 vote rule.)
Who can quarrel with noble and popular goals of less government taxes and spending, the reduction of the deficit and the elimination of waste? They are the "Mom and apple pie" of politics. But there is certain hypocrisy in suggesting that this pact not to raise taxes, end or reduce subsidies, loopholes or deductions for the very wealthy is the result of some "grassroots" movement by the public at large. In resisting efforts to raise taxes on the rich and eliminate their deductions, subsidies and loopholes, the argument is made by conservatives that the rich already pay most of the country's taxes. They argue that a large portion of the nation pays little or no taxes. Therefore, by their own admission, this intractable resistance to raising revenues from the wealthy is not some uprising of the people, but rather for the benefit of those that have rather than those who have not.
Apart from the early, classic Tea Party slogan, "Keep the Government out of Our Medicare," the cry was, "I Want My America Back". Well, I want MY America back too. Yes, the deficit must be reduced, waste eliminated, spending curtailed, and entitlements reviewed and probably reduced, but we need a government that operates by compromise not coercion. I want an America that builds bridges and hires workers to build them. I want an America that educates its children, feeds its poor, helps the unemployed, cares for its veterans, provides for the elderly and treats the sick who cannot afford it. I want an America that protects its environment, its food supply, its consumers and its borrowers. I want an America that is more concerned about the civil rights of its citizens rather the mythical invasion of Sharia law. What I don't want is to deny any or all of the foregoing in order to protect the wealth of the wealthiest among us. I want an America that cares as much about its people as it does about its corporations. I want an America that reflects the will of the majority in the decisions it makes and not some small, fringe group that threatens the country and its people in order to achieve its goals. I want an America that is not governed by bullies and brats who insist on making the rules. I want an America in which the rules that governed my childhood playground govern the country as well.
Kerry calls lower credit rating a 'Tea Party downgrade'
Tea Party disquiet hits presidential hopefuls
Tea Party Leader: Liberalism Has "Killed A Billion" People
Axelrod: Tea party to blame for credit downgrade
Dean What is tea party smoking
Summer schools teach kids conservative Tea Party-style values
Defending the Tea Party: Sometimes politicians should be stubborn
Sen. Paul: Blaming Tea Party for Debt Like Blaming Firemen for Fire
US Rep. Rich Nugent follows tea party script, but where are jobs?
Nine of 12 Super Committee Members Named: Tea Party Marginalized
by Brian Beutler
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/whos-really-responsible-for-us-debt-downgrade.php?ref=fpa
I don't know what you've been doing since 1996, but it sure ain't reading the newspapers.
The Tea Party is the majority...the Real Majority of how most Americans feel.
The Democrats (which I'll assume you are one) are the propped up phoney party.
If it wasn't for the incessant tirades of big city news website, orating the dictums of the LIberalburo night and day, no one would have any idea that there was any mindset other than that of the Tea Party which holds the values of the average person.
Far from being a "tiny minority" we are a repressed majority...held back by the tyranny of elites such as yourself.
You can dream.... but keep dreaming. We democrats are still here... we want deficit reduction too and we want the national debt paid down however the defense budget needs to be cut just as much as any social program.
The Tea Party are nothing but extremists stirred up by nuts in the right-wing media. Since they are fully responsible for the recent credit rating downgrade expect that they are going to become super fringe soon.
so, you guys obviously don't know what "majority" means.
not surprising.
The tea party is alright in my book.
Ron Paul is beyond awesome and the best presidential candidate this country has seen in 50 years.
"That just made George so cool, you could tell he just didn't give a small rodent's tookus about anything"
Right, he didn't give a rat's a** about the Constitution, the law, the majority opinion - and you think that's cool? I think it made him a potential dictator!
Thank you for confirming my belief that the GOP and TParty are as anti-American, anti-Constitution, anti-Democracy as it's possible to be while wrapped in the American flag.
But I'm encouraged by the fact that it looks like they will get the chance to have their say, and I suspect that will result in a thorough rejection of their angle/s, and perhaps put an end to the noise & distraction of those who can't find or won't RTFM - for a while.
I only regret that we couldn't have an empirical demonstration of their programs - without having to give them a small hapless county somewhere.
I deeply respect your willingness to engage in the marketplace of ideas in this medium.
Particularly, that you are able to take the time to defend and further clarify your ideas.
Thank you.
S&P is just one rating agency, and they are worthy of investigation for their role in this debacle from 1998 to 2008 in this overall debacle.
Americans care about JOBS.
And the government could and should be putting people to work rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, but the Tea party does not WANT them working. They want them suffering so they will blame Obama and elect one of them. Boehner has stated that this was the FIRST priority of the republicans - and they are following through.
There was no Tea party revolt when Bush ruined the economy with wars he did not pay for, a tax cut for his wealthy cronies and a medicare drug benefit he did not fund either.
The majority do NOT want the Tea Party holding them hostage.
The Liberal States of America can tax and spend and demonize their enemies.
The Conservative States of America can pursue intelligent economic growth, and individual responsibility.
Sorry to tell you this, but pensions would be a little less generous for former government workers. Government service is an honor and getting rich or gaining power from it is something we in the CSA would dissuade. I love teachers as much as the next guy, since my grandmother was one. It is a privilege to be a teacher, that should suffice rather than high pay.
The irony of liberal disdain for conservatives is that they need us to stay in their country to help pay the bills - we would do fine without them. So please release us from our bondage to you and allow the peaceful separation to occur.
Children do not ask to be born, but is it society's obligation to pay for those who maintain a mentality of "get pregnant because the system will pay for everything" from free OB/GYN, delivery, pediatric, Head Start + lunches, medical? Responsible procreation? What do you say to the hard working Americans who are exhausted, pay handsomely, and get nothing for free; nor expect it?
What clearer sign of socialism do you need! Socialism is about nothing but some people AND some others!
We now have to compete with other countries and not just boss them around.
Grow up and stop hoping the Government is going to Save your Soul.
The Federal Government is a thing, not a divine being, once you get over that mental obstacle, you might enjoy a less stressful life.
If the Federal Government collapsed tomorrow, I know it would be a challenge, but I would survive, and you can too.
The world is not that scary.
How do you explain the fact that then-Senator Obama voted against an increase of the debt ceiling in 2006? The Tea Party didn't even exist!
Us TeaPartiers have far better understanding of government's role than any liberal that thinks the government's role is to make life easier for it's constituents at the cost of their freedoms and productivity.