Posted on 08/04/2013 9:39:26 PM PDT by Olog-hai
This wasn’t the revolution the tea party had in mind.
Four years ago, the movement and its potent mix of anger and populism persuaded thousands of costumed and sign-waving conservatives to protest the ballooning deficit and President Obama’s health care law. It swept a crop of no-compromise lawmakers into Congress and governor’s offices and transformed political up-and-comers, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, into household names.
But as many tea party stars seek re-election next year and Rubio considers a 2016 presidential run, conservative activists are finding themselves at a crossroads. Many of their standard-bearers have embraced more moderate positions on bedrock issues such as immigration and health care, broadening their appeal in swing states but dampening grass-roots passion.
“They keep sticking their finger in the eyes of the guys who got them elected,” said Ralph King, a co-founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots. “A lot of people are feeling betrayed.” …
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged. —G.K. Chesterton
“Sorry but I think that the Republican Party has abandoned and disowned us.”
The GOP has gone corporate. Bought and paid for. Just look at the immigration issue as an example.
I am wondering about that. It worked last time because the various Tea Party organizations each faced the IRS in isolation, unaware that they were all being purposely targeted via a coordinated effort run at the national level.
The fact that this national effort has been exposed to the daylight removes a good percentage of its effectiveness. Not all, by any means, but a lot. We can move past this. But we need to be aware of what’s at stake.
Any attempt to form a third national party will be met with scorn and derision by everyone who had a stake in the status quo, which includes the the Democrat and Republican organizations down the to the state and county levels, the media in almost all national forms, and a lot of our favorite name brand Conservatives, including El Rushbo.
We need a national figure to take charge and start the ball rolling. But who?
Well, it’s nice that you have future hopes even if not realistic. I do like your attitude though - looking forward and hopeful. Must be a bit younger than I am and sure hope you’re right! Seems to me that Texas is the last refuge and it is going south much faster than I expected. I really don’t wish to move for political reasons... There are very few states left!
Sorry, this is necessary when you look at the actions of todays Republicans!
Sorry, but rising stars does nothing for the reputation of the Republican party. They are in it for their benefit and nothing about protecting the Constitution.
Yes, you’ve recognized the problem - the question is what do we do about it?
Absolutely!!
Even worse, some of us are thinking about supporting the Democrats who are running against our weakest Republicans, such as John Boehner. We can afford to lose a few seats in the House if we can eliminate the Republicans who are determined to compromise with Obama on key issues.
Sorry, but voting for a Democrat is beyond my imagination! If you do that you are just continuing the problem... Do NOT do that!
I hate political parties. So did the Framers. Take a look at our Constitution, and you won't find a single mention of political parties. They're not an integral part of our system of government.
The principles upon which this nation was founded, are all that matter to me. Screw partisan politics. They're nothing more than a means for the ruling elite to steal our freedoms and subjugate us like the feudal lords of old.
I can see voting against Boehner, but for a Dem? Not on your ever lovin' life. I don't vote for Communists.
The real solution is better candidates.
Ah yes...the hope of reading the elders (so much smarter than those today). If only the politicians of today had such beliefs!
Yes, you are not only right but would it not be wonderful if those elected did as you say - just support their folks instead of their party. Would be such a better world!
Ah to dream of such a world...
I used “stars” to mock this article. The fact is that we will always need new blood in the movement, the shelf life of a conservative in DC is very short
I gave up long ago. There’s always a Cruz or someone who comes along to keep our attention long enough to keep us voting for these pigs. I’ve been done.
Let’s have a REAL Tea Party. Enough with this, ‘well, we should if ...”
All action begins with thought (dreams). If we would achieve it, we must first conceive it.
This is one of the main reasons I object to demoralizing comments on this site. Poison the mind, and you destroy a man's potential to do great things.
True... Unfortunately, that is true for all politicians. I think we have found the problem but not the solution.
Oy my...you have express my opinion well... unfortunately. I have all but given up on the Republicans and am looking earnestly at a solution. The problem is that there seems to be none - at least not in my lifetime. I have decided to either vote Libertarian or not at all rather than give my influence to the Republican Party as they have become as corrupt as the Democrats.
I have long been a member of the Tea Party and that does NOT mean a member of the Republican Party - as they seem to take for granted. The Republican Party will rue the day that they turned their backs on the Constitution!
I guess you forgot that the sequestration that presents a problem to our defense was Obama’s idea. The low taxes you complain about and smaller govt. that come with it have nothing to do with what Obama devised.
I agree with complaining about a system that causes the functioning 20% of the budget to bear 50% of the cuts while the dysfunctional 80% of the budget pretends to make the rest of the cuts. But I don’t agree that taxes need to be raised on our great great great etc. grandchildren to pay for our unwillingness to act responsibly and do what is right.
Norquist is all cozy with the Muslim Brotherhood so there is no reason to listen to him at all now.
I don’t agree with your son who has gone over to the other side on immigration but honorable service to our country in the military covers a great deal. I’m glad he is home safely. God bless him and your family.
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