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Tea Party not in step with the majority
The Ocala Star Banner ^ | October 4, 2015 | James Harris

Posted on 10/04/2015 7:53:12 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Tea Party supporters would have us think they are a model group with only what is best for the U.S. as their goal. The fact that the Tea Party supports the likes of U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho and Sen. Ted Cruz to mention two is a clear indicator the Tea Party does not act or support what is in the best interest of our country.

Any representative who advocates shutting down the government as a means to an end endangers the stability of the country and its people. Our government is not a business and was never intended to be one. Businesses are run for profit unlike our government, which is supposed to run and act on behalf of the people — and this does not include special interest groups whose goals are personal gain or sacrificing those less fortunate.

The fiscal responsibility of the government is administering programs that benefit the safety, welfare, equal treatment of its people and care for the environment. The recent visit from Pope Francis was pretty clear on this.

If restoring the country to what it was means civility in politics or honest and meaningful debate of conflicting ideas and finding a middle ground, I am all for it. Unfortunately, that bus has left the station and may never return if we keep electing people who are not willing to find middle ground.

The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan, non-advocacy group, lists 10 reasons the Tea Party is unpopular. Please take the time and look it up (www.pewresearch.org). Some of the findings are as follows:

1. They really don’t care about America as a nation; 76 percent of Tea Party followers believe representatives should support their constituents even if it is not in the best interest of the country.

2. They hate Obamacare. I fail to see a problem with everyone having access to health insurance. There is something basically wrong with people going to emergency rooms for routine medical issues. There are problems with the health care program, but surely less entrenched representatives should be able to sit down and find common-ground solutions to those problems.

3. They’d gut Social Security and Medicare. Pew found that 73 percent of Tea Party supporters would cut funds to these retirement programs to pay down the federal debt, which, again, is consistent with their “I’ve got mine, go get yours” mentality. Notably, Pew found that 46 percent of non-Tea Party Republicans said funding those entitlement programs was a more important priority than paying down the federal debt.

4. They want more guns in America. According to the website (www.governing.com/gov-data/stolen-guns-lost-firearms-by-state-data.htm) more than 200,000 guns were reported stolen last year. That’s the number reported stolen and doesn’t account for many more that were not reported. In a 2012 survey, Florida ranked third in the country for the most guns stolen — only Texas and Georgia had higher numbers. The more guns we have in America the more opportunities criminals will have to steal one. Surely better background checks and eliminating gun show and Internet sales is not too big a price to pay if it prevents some of the gun violence.

The above numbered references include direct quotes from the PEW report, “10 Reasons the Tea Party is Wildly Unpopular,” as well as my comments.


TOPICS: Issues; Parties; U.S. Congress; U.S. Senate
KEYWORDS: banglist; cruz; obamacare; teaparty; tedcruz
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To: Popman

Not to mention individual health care ‘insurance’ is mandated by government. Most all middle class are going broke fast at the monthly cost and deductibles.


21 posted on 10/04/2015 8:27:04 AM PDT by Son House (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; the Original Legislative Fraud.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“2. They hate Obamacare. I fail to see a problem with everyone having access to health insurance. There is something basically wrong with people going to emergency rooms for routine medical issues. There are problems with the health care program, but surely less entrenched representatives should be able to sit down and find common-ground solutions to those problems.”

In response to his point #2:

“The hate Obamacare.” You aren’t listening Mr. Harris. They hate the government interfering with the health care system. They do not like the government mandating the items covered by insurance policies and the fact they have to purchase insurance for services they do not desire. They hate the prospect of panels of faceless bureaucrats choosing the medical services care services they will be able to purchase when elderly. They hate the fact Obamacare has increased, not decreased the cost of healthcare. They hate the fact Obamacare created over 100 new federal bureaucracies from which there is no perceived benefit. They hate the fact the rules for implementation have been arbitrarily changed by the president and bureaucrats, contrary to the law itself. They hate the fact it ties the hands of doctors performing services and is resulting in many talented health care workers leaving the profession.

Everyone had access to health insurance before Obamacare. Insurance companies sold policies. Many employers provided policies. The market worked.

With respect to his point, #2, “ I fail to see a problem with everyone having access to health insurance. There is something basically wrong with people going to emergency rooms for routine medical issues.” I agree. However Mr. Harris the situation has not changed. Obamacare has been the law of the land for several years yet if you go to any emergency room in America today you will see people waiting to see emergency room doctors who could have easily been cared for at a regular doctor office, an urgent care center, or a public health center. In fact some will receive no better care at the emergency room today than they would have received by going to Walgreens or CVS and buying a pain killer, decongestant, or anti diarrhea medicine.

As to his assertion less entrenched representatives should be able to sit down and find solutions for the problems that remain in the health care system, I pose one simple question for Mr. Harris. The ACA has been the law of the land for over five years. When will the Democrats in the House and the Senate, the ones who passed this legislation, present a bill to Congress providing solutions to the problems identified since implementation?


22 posted on 10/04/2015 8:28:33 AM PDT by Soul of the South (Yesterday is gone. Today will be what we make of it.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Curious thing when searching for images... it was hard to find any that were critical of the Democrats. That didn't used to be the case. Now, the image repository gave me pages and pages of blame for the GOP. Interesting.

23 posted on 10/04/2015 8:29:05 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

consistent with their “I’ve got mine, go get yours” mentality.

Consistent with the libs “I’ll take mine and we’ll take yours”.


24 posted on 10/04/2015 8:34:24 AM PDT by Lets Roll NOW (A baby isn't a punishment, Obama is)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

My reply on their site:

“...more than 200,000 guns were reported stolen last year. That’s the number reported stolen and doesn’t account for many more that were not reported.”

If they weren’t reported, how can you know that many more were stolen?

The TEA Party IS wildly unpopular with Leftists desirous of an all encompassing, consolidated federal Leviathan which imposes ruinous taxation to pay for the ideology driven one-size-fits-all policies of the Left.

Until you can disarm us and completely gut federalism you won’t really feel safe breaking out the Mao suits and Stolypin cars though will you?


25 posted on 10/04/2015 8:41:23 AM PDT by skepsel
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
“I’ve got mine, go get yours” mentality

The author's liberal mentality is that everything belongs to the gov't.

26 posted on 10/04/2015 8:42:14 AM PDT by MUDDOG
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Same old straw men. Anyone with any intelligence knows that “shutting down the government” really doesn’t shut down the government in any real shape or form nor does it endanger the country at all. The President isn’t an emperor and the reason for separate but equal branches is so that those branches will compete and divide power. This idea that Washington DC is supposed to be some kind of kumbya arrangement constantly growing government and bureaucracy with no obstruction is an alien concept not American in the least but rooted in the monarchies America colonists and immigrants fled.

I could respond in detail to the rest of the crap this guy spouts but its like responding seriously to an intellectually challenged child who even if you did respond they would not get it because they only care about having a government to take care of them versus a government that gets out of the way so they can take care of themselves.


27 posted on 10/04/2015 8:46:15 AM PDT by Maelstorm (America wasn't founded with the battle cry give me Liberty or cut me a government check!".)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

From the article: “Our government is not a business and was never intended to be one.”

Pains me to say it, but I agree with this a$$clown on this notion.

And, since even the leftists recognize this, then it’s time to get the gubbmint completely out of business. Shut down the Commerce Dept, the Dept of Ag, HHS, EPA, Dept of (mis)Education, Dept of Transportation, and all the rest that deal in people’s business(es).


28 posted on 10/04/2015 9:09:39 AM PDT by PubliusMM (RKBA; a matter of fact, not opinion. 01-20-2017; I pray we make it that long.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Maybe it’s not always wise to be in step with the majority.


29 posted on 10/04/2015 9:11:55 AM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheelbarrow)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Tea Party not in step with the majority

Neither is the LGBT party. But of course they would NEVER say that.

30 posted on 10/04/2015 9:13:39 AM PDT by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The majority wants to sit on their couches eating chips and watching football while collecting disability checks. How is it possible to be “in step” with them when they only walk as far as the bathroom? :)


31 posted on 10/04/2015 9:14:45 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves (Heteropatriarchal Capitalist)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

mmonbat is too kind of a word for this idiot.


32 posted on 10/04/2015 9:14:55 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (SEMPER FI!! - Monthly Donors Rock!!)
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To: Popman

Everyone always DID HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HEALTHCARE.
What they didn’t have was:
Portability
Ability to buy across stare lines
Health Savings Accounts
What has changed is we, now, MUST buy insurance we do not want.

How do they get away with saying something so stupid?


33 posted on 10/04/2015 9:18:49 AM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Doesn't he get that Barack's VETO PEN is what shuts down the government.

Can't blame him, our Republican leaders fail to grasp that concept as well.

34 posted on 10/04/2015 9:21:53 AM PDT by TexasCajun (#BlackViolenceMatters)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” - Mark Twain


35 posted on 10/04/2015 9:24:31 AM PDT by Politicalkiddo ("Those who know the least obey the best."- George Farquhar)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
They’d gut Social Security and Medicare.

I have seen no evidence of that. Most of the tea party activists that I know receive these senior benefits. Those that I know believe that Social Security and Medicare are "legitimate" welfare programs because "they paid for them." Of course, it is a rare person who opposes the welfare benefits that he/she receives. Usually, they believe that it the benefits that they don't receive that should be cut. It's the same with taxes. They believe that the kinds of taxes that they pay are too high. I think this is just human nature.

36 posted on 10/04/2015 9:29:24 AM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Fedzilla will consume all if it is not put back into its Constitutional cage.


37 posted on 10/04/2015 9:47:06 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Even if they are “not in step with the majority,” doesn’t mean they are wrong.
I would rather be right than one of a deluded herd.


38 posted on 10/04/2015 9:50:23 AM PDT by Little Ray (How did I end up in this hand basket, and why is it getting so hot?)
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To: Calpublican

Oak Run is a smaller version of the Villages, located in suburban Ocala. The demo is elder retired and conservative. I doubt the author has many neighbors who agree with him.


39 posted on 10/04/2015 9:52:03 AM PDT by sparklite2 (Eagles fan after loss to Dallas -- This is the first time I ever saw the "prevent offense".)
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To: Maris Crane
Everyone always DID HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HEALTHCARE.

Well, that's true, but health insurance certainly wasn't affordable (it still isn't... surprise!) unless you had a company plan picking up a nice piece of the premium...

Today almost all of Obamacare is subsidized to a certain degree...to make it "affordable"

I know if I had to buy insurance on my own paying the full boat, I'd be like a lot of people going to the hospital and stiffing the taxpayers at the moment to get health care...

40 posted on 10/04/2015 10:05:36 AM PDT by Popman (Christ alone: My Cornerstone...)
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