Posted on 05/06/2015 7:57:57 AM PDT by ctdonath2
Let's try some "are you a tea-party type?" litmus-test questions.
Do you agree: - the government may not operate beyond what the Constitution clearly grants & empowers? - short of actual declared war, government should spend no more than tax revenue? - currency should be commodity-backed (gold preferably)? - direct federal taxation of citizens should be repealed? - human life, including right of continued existence, begins at conception; the "choice" is to create human life, not end it? - short of adjudicated felons & mental defect, ownership of weapons in defense of self/family/state shall not be restricted? - short of conspiracy to commit non-victimless crime, contracts are binding and upheld, if needed, by the state? - capitalism is, on the whole, superior to all other socioeconomic systems? - insofar as capitalism isn't perfect, government should only interfere (minimally at that) to resolve chronic systemic problems? - voter identification is a valid administrative process (ensuring only you vote as you, and you are entitled to)? - financial "entitlements" are unconstitutional/inappropriate and should be ended (society has better solutions to the issues addressed)? - government exists to protect & facilitate rights, not limit/suppress them? freedom *of* religion != freedom *from* religion?
That's a start at trying to hit key points.
Do you agree:
- the government may not operate beyond what the Constitution clearly grants & empowers?
- short of actual declared war, government should spend no more than tax revenue?
- currency should be commodity-backed (gold preferably)?
- direct federal taxation of citizens should be repealed?
- human life, including right of continued existence, begins at conception; the "choice" is to create human life, not end it?
- short of adjudicated felons & mental defect, ownership of weapons in defense of self/family/state shall not be restricted?
- short of conspiracy to commit non-victimless crime, contracts are binding and upheld, if needed, by the state?
- capitalism is, on the whole, superior to all other socioeconomic systems?
- insofar as capitalism isn't perfect, government should only interfere (minimally at that) to resolve chronic systemic problems?
- voter identification is a valid administrative process (ensuring only you vote as you, and you are entitled to)?
- financial "entitlements" are unconstitutional/inappropriate and should be ended (society has better solutions to the issues addressed)?
- government exists to protect & facilitate rights, not limit/suppress them? freedom *of* religion != freedom *from* religion?
Are these questions to vet candidates?
That’s a good application, but not the intention.
Initiating question was “apparently we share a common platform, so at what point am I de facto tea party? Serious question.”
"ownership of weapons in defense of self/family/state shall not be restricted"
to this
"owning and bearing of arms shall not be regulated or restricted"
The term "Arms" refers to things that may or may not be weapons, such as armor. Further it's obvious in hindsight that attaching any reasoning to the right diminishes it. Simply saying that the right will not be restricted or regulated is enough.
Shall the federal government regulate your income, property, religion and freedom?
While there might be disagreements about certain policies and beliefs, I think the above question is the core litmus test for the TEA Party.
You’re making this far too complicated.
Should be one question. Do you want to kill alynskites?
I am allergic to litmus.
Then simplify it for me. What definitively pegs someone as “tea party”? Realize that various views may overlap, such as Leftists who think a balanced budget is imperative and money should be gold-based ... but abortion is a right and guaranteed minimum income is a good idea.
Make that “shall any government”. And I agree with others that the list is too complicated, imperfect, and uneven. The original tea party ideas brought together fiscal conservatives, constitutional conservatives, and social conservatives, often a bit at odds with each other. The social conservatives often poison the relationship. Keep it simple and its a big umbrella, get too specific and you lose folks. That’s been an ebb-and-flow of the tea party over the years. It’s success is simplicity: Limited government and respect for constitutional rights.
We should demand candidates to answer these questions.
I’m from the liberal wing.
I believe we should give ‘em a fair trial before we hang ‘em.
I would like some requirement that congress may not exempt themselves (or anybody else for that matter) from any law or program.
Problem is differing views over what constitutes "limited" and "rights". Some people think "limited" means gender-neutral, little/no military, no acknowledgement of religion, no voter identification, etc; and "rights" include abortion, free healthcare, guaranteed living income, etc. If we can't agree on definitions, we're not arguing about the same things. Even in your post, some would disagree and declare that social conservatism is the foundation of the relationship.
Yes the list is flawed. Fix it, accounting for how radically different views may interpret it.
Good one.
Stop telling us to fix something that serves no purpose.
I keep hearing about this Tea Party, but I have yet to see a ballot with candidates listed under that party name. Some time soon, we need a party that is constitutional and conservative, with morals. This country is headed in the wrong direction. The left wing is destroying it quickly and the Rino’s would do the same, but maybe just a little slower.
I agree, these questions are more to find small government conservatives. I always saw the ‘tea party’ as focused mainly on the economy and keeping the government out of it. I live outside of dc and have been to quite a few rallies and have yet to see, for instance, abortion come up as an issue. Immigration only a few times.
The second amendment has nothing to do with hunting or self defense.
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