| TEA PARTY MUST STAND ON PRINCIPLE, NOT PARTISANSHIP |
| Thursday, 08 October 2009 | |
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Last fall, the nationwide Tea Party Movement burst upon the American political scene with a ferocity which surprised many of us “old-time” hard core political activists... By the tens of thousands, middle-class mothers, fathers, grandparents and children, not just the left or right wing lunatic fringe but average everyday Americans, marched in the streets, attended town hall meetings, waved flags, shouted slogans, got in the face of their elected officials and proclaimed:
“We’re Mad as Hell, and We’re Not Gonna Take it Anymore!”
And now, nearly a year later, some of us “old-timers,” who have been engaged in exposing government corruption and stopping socialist incrementalism for years, have watched “The Movement” grow and find ourselves wondering:
Is
Is this truly the beginning of a Genuine Populist Movement?
Or, in the case of some issues like “Health Care Reform,” is this apparent public anger merely the result of the cynical manipulation by powerful special interest groups, like the medical industry, insurance corporations and right wing media talk show personalities?
The answer is: When it comes to the verdict on whether “The Movement” is the beginning of a Genuine Populist Movement or not, the jury is still out.
However; this much is certain: In the present climate dominated by financial self interest and rapidly shifting political moods, the leaders of this current movement, and that includes the National and Tucson Tea Party, have a relatively short time left to establish their credibility and bona fides, to capture this spirit and to channel it into an effective political apparatus to effect positive political and social change.
SEVEN IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS 1. Abandon the Use of Labels Which Divide Us. Frame the issues which concern us as American Issues which concern all Americans, not “Republican vs Democrat,” “Conservative vs Liberal,” or “Right Wing vs. Left Wing.”
Additionally; those of us who are politically savvy understand that when it comes to creating the hard core, fundamental problems which confront our nation, Republicans (and Conservatives and Right Wingers) are just as culpable as Democrats (and Liberals and Left Wingers)
2. Divide true “Liberals” from the Left Wing. Liberals and Left Wingers are not the same thing. Your enemies include Left Wingers who seek collectivist solutions to our problems. True Liberals cherish individual freedoms. They hate large, corrupted government. Don’t forget: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, etc were among this nation’s staunchest Liberals!
3. Seek Common Ground with Apparent Enemies. You just may have some common interest with Left Wing Activist groups who fight Globalism, One World Government, One World Currency, etc. Study them and seek them out; you will profit by examining their activist tactics and you may convert some of them to your cause.
4. Develop Core Principles, Don’t Engage in Partisanship. Frankly; on the basis of who you choose to speak at your events, your open support for all local Republican candidates, etc., you have begun to sound like… Republicans.
If you continue to sound like Republicans, people will come to view the Tea Party Movement as merely a shill for Right Wing Republican interests. Your greatest power lies in the public perception you are independent.
Remember: George Bush and John McCain are so-called “Conservative Republicans,” whether or not you view them as such. Follow them, use their labels, and you will lose mainstream Americans, including Liberal Republicans, Independents, Democrats, etc.
6. Even Though He Was a Democrat, Tip O’Neal Was Right When He Said “All Politics is Local.” All important national issues have a local component. You cannot hope to reform national politics if you cannot first reform local politics.
Right here in
For example: the Real (and Only) Purpose of Rio Nuevo is to Make Money for the Local Businessmen Who Build and Manage the Project.
If you learn to crack the Rio Nuevo nut you will begin to develop the credibility you need to encourage activist membership.
Beware the plethora of Republicans who’ve aligned themselves with you. In spite of his righteous campaign rhetoric, Antenori turned out to be an unrepentant supporter of Rio Nuevo, no matter how he put lipstick on THAT ugly pig and what he now chooses to call it.
BTW: TPD Larry Lopez represents only a small fraction of the Tucson Police Department. If he was truly interested in promoting public safety he would speak out against the powerful economic and left wing interests who facilitate the entry of more than a million illegal aliens every year. Local crime rates are directly connected to the presence of large numbers of Mexican Illegal Aliens, who as victims and perpetrators alike, are involved in 4 more violent crime than citizens.
The question is: Do we need more police officers, less Mexican Illegals who commit and are the victim of crime, or both?
Beware local right wing radio talk show hosts like Jon Justice who never have any thing truthful to say about SAHBA, Don Diamond, Jim Click, and the rest of the Republican interests who support Tucson City Open Border Policy, Amnesty and an end to Employers Sanctions.
7. Learn Something From Those Who Gave Us the Power and Showed Us the Way. Study the techniques Revolutionaries like Samuel Adams used to generate popular support and read what the Framers of the United States Constitution had to say about the purpose of the American Revolution. Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution by A. J. Langguth is an excellent place to start.
And Finally: If you are sincere in your expressed desire to effect real reform, this movement has a chance of success if you, the leadership, understand and sincerely employ the commonly held principles of the American Revolution, as set forth in the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Address.
Only then can we ensure that Government of the People, by the People and for the People Will Not Perish From the Earth. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 October 2009 ) |