T.E.A. Parties

[RabbitMage]

I don't know, I heard the turnout was disappointing: http://www.vancouversun.com/News/Turnout+tepid+modern+parties/1500117/story.html

I heard the DC party got broken up after someone threw tea bags on the White House lawn. Oops!

As far as being 'grassroots', a lot of folks are calling the movement 'astroturf' instead. These protests weren't prompted by the little guy, but were urged on by some Big Name Big Wigs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/opinion/13krugman.html

Last but not least: it turns out that the tea parties don’t represent a spontaneous outpouring of public sentiment. They’re AstroTurf (fake grass roots) events, manufactured by the usual suspects. In particular, a key role is being played by FreedomWorks, an organization run by Richard Armey, the former House majority leader, and supported by the usual group of right-wing billionaires. And the parties are, of course, being promoted heavily by Fox News.

I'm all for protesting whatever people feel the need to protest, but I just can't see this as the highly successful, grassroots movement some folks are billing it as.​

 

[New2Peeps]

I went to the Indianapolis tea party and it was excellent. It is just the beginning for people who want the government to stop all this spending and to follow our constitution. I think that this will only gather momentum and more voices as Congress votes for more and more spending and our young people realize that they are going to be the ones paying for years to come.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

The first tea party was held in February as a grass roots movement. The idea caught on and grew well before the "Big Wigs" as you put it got involved.

 

[crait]

What a flop. I'm personally happy that they've done this. Hopefully we'll get more money into the government's hands so they don't have to raise other taxes, and some people may even quit smoking.
I hate walking past people on the sidewalk and get hit in the face with a puff of smoke.

 

[bluey]

I posted some pictures of our local TEA party if anyone is interested.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=164315

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Uhhhh, you DO know where government gets it's money, right?

 

[KinderKorner]

Me and some friends and family went. There was around 60 people. With signs, and tea bags at a small town in Southern Illinois.

 

[geareduplyn]

Quote:
Uhhhh, you DO know where government gets it's money, right?

David , unfortunatly a lot of people don't. My income taxes weren't much this year, but it amounted to two Social Security checks. I actually don't mind paying taxes, because I feel every American should have a hand in supporting their Government, as opposed to the Government supporting them. The EIC is the greatest ripoff to the taxpaying citizen in my opinion ever. This thought did occour to me this AM. If the top 1% of the population is paying 50%+ of the taxes, perhaps we should let let them run at least 50% of the country.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

Quote:
Uhhhh, you DO know where government gets it's money, right?

David , unfortunatly a lot of people don't. My income taxes weren't much this year, but it amounted to two Social Security checks. I actually don't mind paying taxes, because I feel every American should have a hand in supporting their Government, as opposed to the Government supporting them. The EIC is the greatest ripoff to the taxpaying citizen in my opinion ever. This thought did occour to me this AM. If the top 1% of the population is paying 50%+ of the taxes, perhaps we should let let them run at least 50% of the country.

We need more true business men in office. To many politicians just don't understand business and they don't remember that it's the peoples money they are spending.

 

[bluey]

...if the TEA parties remind politicians that they work for us and not vice versa, they'll be a success in my opinion.