Posted on 09/29/2010 11:46:17 AM PDT by WebFocus
There are actually two Tea Party movements in America today: one you’ve read about that is not that important and one you’ve not read about that could become really important if the right politician understood how to tap into it.
The Tea Party that has gotten all the attention, the amorphous, self-generated protest against the growth in government and the deficit, is what I’d actually call the “Tea Kettle movement” — because all it’s doing is letting off steam.
That is not to say that the energy behind it is not authentic (it clearly is) or that it won’t be electorally impactful (it clearly might be). But affecting elections and affecting America’s future are two different things. Based on all I’ve heard from this movement, it feels to me like it’s all steam and no engine. It has no plan to restore America to greatness.
The Tea Kettle movement can’t have a positive impact on the country because it has both misdiagnosed America’s main problem and hasn’t even offered a credible solution for the problem it has identified. How can you take a movement seriously that says it wants to cut government spending by billions of dollars but won’t identify the specific defense programs, Social Security, Medicare or other services it’s ready to cut — let alone explain how this will make us more competitive and grow the economy?
And how can you take seriously a movement that sat largely silent while the Bush administration launched two wars and a new entitlement, Medicare prescription drugs — while cutting taxes — but is now, suddenly, mad as hell about the deficit and won’t take it anymore from President Obama? Say what? Where were you folks for eight years?
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I can’t wait to hear this POS’s whining on Nov. 3rd.
Amusing.
Hey Friedman, STHU you bedwetter.
Blow it out your lower spout whiner Freidman.
I expect ol’ Thomas is dizzy now. He’d best rest and have a lie-down. Not good to strain the system like that.
You’ll find out how hot on Nov 2, Tom.
Another NYT bedwetter all wee-weed up.
I’m sure he’s been to several Tea Party events and is thus an expert commentator!
Their tears are delicious: I will use them as a sauce for the crow that we will serve them on November 3rd.
“They will follow someone who convinces them that they have a plan to make America great again. That is what they want to hear. It cuts across Republicans and Democrats.”
He is advocating for a benevolent dictator to take matters in hand and lead the U.S. back to greatness according to the dictator’s superior vision. Seems to me a similar tactic was tried a few decades ago in downtrodden Deutschland. It didn’t work out very well.
Thank you Tom Al Friedman. Could there be some sour grapes because the rich wife you married is now bust.
Not just cut services - cut entire agencies! Start with the so-called "Department of Education" That will save $68.6 billion each year.
“Based on all I’ve heard from this movement, it feels to me like it’s all steam and no engine. It has no plan to restore America to greatness.”
I guess you have (a) listened to the wrong sources. (b) did not understand, (c) chose to hear what you wanted to hear, or (d) all of the above.
furthermore we have NOT misdiagnosed what is wrong, and DO have a very simple, principled view of the way forward towards restoring America’s greatness.
The author is full of his own stool.
Yep, and all he's heard is from the reportage of the newyorktimes. No wonder he's so uninformed and clueless!
The plan?
Cut everything BUT Defense.
Simple
Hey Tom ... put your eye up to spout after it comes to a boil ... stare at the steam for a while ... then pour the contents of the pot in your lap.
Another NYT bedwetter all wee-weed up.
Another NYT bedwetter all wee-weed up.
Putting up with your “anti-war” protests when they were in fact, anti-American protests. It’s OK when Obama goes to war in Afghanistan but Not Bush?? Kiss my right-wing arse Friedman.
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