Posted on 09/19/2010 8:23:52 AM PDT by wgflyer
Of Tea and Party
For quite some time now I have been clamoring for a third party which could replace the GOP with real conservative thinking, and conservative policy. I looked at the Libertarians, and the the Constitution party, both of which have their pros and cons, but could not find a good solid replacement along the lines I sought.
Meanwhile, the GOP ceded more and more of its moral integrity to the Left, stuffing itself with pork and growing ever more self important, completely forgetting the people it purported to represent. Of late, Republican constituents have even become annoying to Republican incumbents. The annoyance is very obvious. They want to keep their cushy jobs, and continue to live large on the taxpayers dole.
So up came the tea parties, all around the nation. Their prominence in politics of late has scared the hell out of both Democrats and Republicans, threatening to upset the wagon and turn them out into the street, where there may be some tar and feathers waiting.
And the tea parties were mocked, insulted, whined about all over the established political landscape, but they rise anyway because the damage now is just too great. Some house cleaning is in order. Finally, Americans are moving, and I love them for it.
But I see, also, the GOP trying to gather the various tea party groups into their sphere of influence. Like the nobody who tries to stand for a clandestine photo beside a famous actor, these fools sidle in and try to blend. Huckabee, Romney, Juliani, Gingrich, Santorum...the list is endless. Old hat Republicans who see the wave and want to ride it back into prominence. To whatever degree that the tea party movement accepts these people as spokesmen I fear for them. The tea party movement must remain aloof from incumbents, ex incumbents, and old hat pundits and instead replace those incumbents and individuals in the GOP hierarchy with grass roots conservatives willing to dismantle the Federal Government back to its rightful size and duties as laid out by the Constitution.
But the one thing I fear more than anything is that the tea parties will actually become the Tea Party. Once they become a bona fide political party they will begin the slide back to the current state of the Democrats and Republicans. They will begin to fill their ranks with candidates with stars in their eyes, leaders with careers on their minds and political ambitions that preclude actual representation of the people who elect them.
No. The tea parties must never become the Tea Party. They must remain a loose collection of very passionate regional grass roots conservatives led by their own local firebrands and churches, and generating a constant stream of new conservative candidates to cycle through both Federal and State GOP positions for short durations and return to their private sector existence. The tea parties should occupy and police the GOP, but should not BE the GOP.
With the tea party movement we have clarity. Conservatism is defined for all to see, finally, and people like it. The two party aparats are likewise clearly exposed for what they are, and can not defend themselves with any logic or consistency of thought. The only defense, in both parties, is vitriol and bile. (Witness Karl Roves nastiness towards the winning tea party backed candidate in Delaware).
If the tea parties ever become the Tea Party, they will lose everything they are now gaining, and more.
NO, the GOP did NOT start as a “third party” it took over what was left of the Whig party. It replaced a failed 2nd party. If you cannot get enough Conservative/Libertarians organized to take back the GOP from the RINO, you are NEVER going to do the much harder work of organizing a viable third party.
Hooboy! Good ol Mitt was the FIRST to jump on the bandwagon of Tea Party Momentum.
Beware of Mitt the chameleon. Hucka boob too.
I can’t find the picture of the shape shifter wearing his plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up from the last campaign.
These RINOS have to go!
Be “The Party Of Know”
Karl? is that you?
How’s that “astroturf” gonna feel on Nancy’s backside when she’s voted out of the Speakership in January??
Exactly.
Good morning, Sir!
To Hell with that.
The GOP is ours now.
Let the RINOs form their own "moderate" third party, or go join the Democrats where they belong.
I'm looking at you, John McCain and Mitt Romney.
Rugburns! I hope.
Well said
You are right—we need real reform—a reform party—a 3rd choice. None of this old saw of Wasted votes or giving votes to the other guy—If we thought that way we would still have Federalists and Whigs around. The Republicans were a 3rd Party once and hated too. The way I see it there is only two outcomes for the Tea Party movement.
1. Take over the GOP and expel the RINOs—make it a reform party dedicated to really clean the swamp of corruption.
2. Start a real 3rd party by taking over an existing one or doing a new 3rd Party.
Let the Hucklefaces and Mitts do what they will. We need reform. I suggest Palin’s Pitchforks to clean the stables of corruption. I fear if the Tea Parties fail because then
the only choice will be rebellion and a drastic change into something very different from the America I grew up in.
Lots of people would die and the USA may break into four or five warring states. Lets see how Red China Runs the world for a while.
I must say, I made the mistake of backing Perot way back when, and they ended up portraying him as a kook.
They are trying to do the same thing with the tea party.
But this Is different.
The fires are not being put out by the MSM.
They are burning brighter.
Now is the time to move.
This aint going to be pretty.
“Start a real 3rd party by taking over an existing one”
I think that is the most viable option.
And WE ARE DOING IT.
Not only that but we are subverting the DEM Party and picking up bluedogs along the way.
“Let the RINOs form their own “moderate” third party, or go join the Democrats where they belong.”
You’re right. That’s what I hoped to convey.
“The GOP is ours now. “
Not yet. But I hope it isn’t far off.
Could be parties are becoming OBSOLETE......
Both are problems to be dealt with. Comfortable incumbents suboordinate philosophy.
The Tea Party movement is best for raising awareness and challenging incumbency. The less-organized the better.
At this point, the incumbent party (D and R) needs to be culled, period. They work together.
Until people learn to form coalitions (of specific issues) and agree to return to Constitution, separation of powers, and other liberty-centric conventions we will continue to see the assault on freedom.
This is the best plan. But the tea party groups need to remain local grass root entities aloof from Party.
The tradition Democrats will see it our way. But this must be a reform party to really change things—not just give lip service. Kick out the lobbyists and special interests! Toss them in prison as they bridests they are.
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