Voting for democrats will help Oklahoma's economy

[we vs us]

It's funny, because I find people who are sympathetic to the Tea Party perceive it as both moderate and a middle of the road political voice.  Maybe straddling the lines between the Democrats and Republicans or something similar, but in any event surely the return of some basic American Wisdom that most anyone could get behind if they'd just look past the occasional gun-toting dude, or the rare Obama-as-witch-doctor sign carrier.  

One of my co-workers has said a version of the same thing that Conan just wrote above, placing the Tea Party on a place much closer to the practical middle of things than the people who currently run Washington.  There's a sense when she talks to me that she can't understand why I, a reasonably thoughtful liberal, can't see why the Tea Party wouldn't be a reasonable and thoughtful alternative to the Bums in Washington.

The problem with this formulation is that it's just simply not true.  The Tea Party is deeply conservative in all the important ways, and really is just not liberal, left, or even centrist.  It's unattractive to most folks who have a left lean to them, and though there are admittedly D's who've attended and will continue to attend Tea Party events, these are folks who were weak D leaners to begin with.  

I think the crucial confusion is that Tea Partiers are mistaking a revolutionary intraparty movement for a revolutionary interparty movement.  Not to minimize the importance; it's the first time in a generation that Republicans have felt free enough to fight amongst themselves, and it sure as shootin' is going to affect the political makeup of Congress over the next cycle (or two, or three).  But the "common sense" that the Tea Party is selling is commonsensical if you're already swimming in the conservative end of the pool.  It just seems whackadoo if you're on the other end.

[Cats Cats Cats]

And if that's all you are gleaning from it you are either glued to MSNBC or your own paradigms won't allow you to look deeper.

Look, I don't really care for Sarah Palin and don't find her to be a viable candidate for POTUS in 2012, but she's apparently pretty relevant and her endorsement seems to be helping candidates more than POTUS Obama's this election cycle. Candidates she is backing are resonating with voters.  It doesn't matter whether you or I like her, what matters is she's managing to mobilize voters.  

I don't even have cable.  I have challenged tea partiers about the tea party.  If you are for smaller government spending, why do you have a Ronald Reagan pin?  They replied with "its just about lower taxes".  Then they unfriended me on facebook (I only met them once).  That single sentence I think sums up the Tea Party.  As for Palin, she "mobilizes voters" but those aren't the voters I want to vote.  Basically, she is smarter than all the people who would vote for her or because of her.  Thats the problem.  Sadly there is no IQ test to vote or to run.

[Cats Cats Cats]

It's funny, because I find people who are sympathetic to the Tea Party perceive it as both moderate and a middle of the road political voice.  Maybe straddling the lines between the Democrats and Republicans or something similar, but in any event surely the return of some basic American Wisdom that most anyone could get behind if they'd just look past the occasional gun-toting dude, or the rare Obama-as-witch-doctor sign carrier.  

One of my co-workers has said a version of the same thing that Conan just wrote above, placing the Tea Party on a place much closer to the practical middle of things than the people who currently run Washington.  There's a sense when she talks to me that she can't understand why I, a reasonably thoughtful liberal, can't see why the Tea Party wouldn't be a reasonable and thoughtful alternative to the Bums in Washington.

The problem with this formulation is that it's just simply not true.  The Tea Party is deeply conservative in all the important ways, and really is just not liberal, left, or even centrist.  It's unattractive to most folks who have a left lean to them, and though there are admittedly D's who've attended and will continue to attend Tea Party events, these are folks who were weak D leaners to begin with.  

I think the crucial confusion is that Tea Partiers are mistaking a revolutionary intraparty movement for a revolutionary interparty movement.  Not to minimize the importance; it's the first time in a generation that Republicans have felt free enough to fight amongst themselves, and it sure as shootin' is going to affect the political makeup of Congress over the next cycle (or two, or three).  But the "common sense" that the Tea Party is selling is commonsensical if you're already swimming in the conservative end of the pool.  It just seems whackadoo if you're on the other end.

You can watch the youtube video of Liberty Party guy get kicked out of the Tea Party event for having an anti-Palin sign.  So even more libertarians get kicked out of the events.

[Cats Cats Cats]

This guy is speaking what the TEA party is supposed to be.  The crowd however isn't with him.  Gets ugly about 3:30 in when he starts talking about not voting for Sarah Palin for President.  He gets call an infiltrator for saying vote for independents not for Sarah Palin.

At the end another speaker gets up and says "we are all on the same team" and you can hear somebody say "he wasn't on our team"  (Which I guess is team Palin)

[Quinton]

I cant recall if a Demo. has helped any economy anywhere.

[Hoss]

I cant recall if a Demo. has helped any economy anywhere.

You can be sure that the last 8 year administration as Republican didn't.  Especially our own.  What happened to fiscal conservatism?  The R's in congress during that period were spending like a lottery winner who was previously below the poverty line.

[we vs us]

I cant recall if a Demo. has helped any economy anywhere.

Think back to the 90's.

[Conan71]

And you guys are basically spouting the common liberal view of the Tea Party.

I thought this was an interesting take on the two views of it:

"Think of tea parties, and one of two images is likely to come to mind. The first picture is painted by the lovely ladies of the left -- Rachel Maddow, Nancy Pelosi, and Barney Frank -- and includes racist hicks that are too dumb or illiterate to understand that redistribution of wealth actually works.

The second image, the one actually representative of the tea party movement, is one of patriotic pride and righteous anger at politicians that are too dumb or illiterate to understand that Americans are independent and entrepreneurial, and the last thing we need or want is a nanny-state."

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/110141/the_tea_party_in_beverly

How about actually trying to read what the Tea Party stands for instead of filtered interpretation of it:

"We, the citizens of the United States of America, call upon those seeking to represent us in public office to sign the Contract from America and by doing so commit to support each of its agenda items and advocate on behalf of individual liberty, limited government, and economic freedom.

Protect the Constitution
Reject Cap & Trade
Demand a Balanced Budget
Enact Fundamental Tax Reform
Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government
End Runaway Government Spending
Defund, Repeal, & Replace Government-run Health Care
Pass an 'All-of-the-Above" Energy Policy
Stop the Pork
Stop the Tax Hikes"

http://www.thecontract.org/

Wow, that's really moonbat scary stuff, isn't it?

You would think I was pretty damn ignorant if I stated the principle platform of the Democrat Party was all about:

-Murdering the unborn
-Open borders and amnesty for illegals
-Coddle criminals
-Foment class warfare
-Jeopardize national security
-Big government
-Gay marriage
-Confiscatory taxes
-The party of entitlements

etc. ad nauseum

Okay, this is funny as hell.  I go to democrats.org to know what their current platform is in their own words and can't get past the comments.  People want to know how to get their free posters and bumper stickers.  Sorry folks, that entitlement mentality just speaks for itself:

This is speaking about the new website and Democrat Party logo:

"The new Democrats.org gives Democrats cutting-edge tools that will empower people across the country to connect with one another and with the party in new ways. ... Today's Democratic Party is ready to use every single tool in our toolbox to help the President and Democratic leaders to continue to move our country forward."


Tim Kaine

.  ..63 Comments..Comments


Eric  1 week ago  

'how are we supposed to get free sticker there is no send button--what gives?'

'I had no way to request the new poster or to send my response back to you. What gives here?'


'There is o way to get my address to you for the fre sticker. Where does it get forwarded?? Won't get man on the street this way!!'

'your web site is foobared up, cant' submit request for sticker....didn't someone check this'

'The branding people are surely not original. The slogan has been used by so many organizations from United Way to advertisers! And the logo looks like a target. Helping the Republicans take aim? We'll do the best we can with it but Geeeeez!'

'Are you serious? That is the most non descript logo I have ever seen. Are you trying to kill us as a party? Who is making these decisions? How about something with some spunk?'  


'This look is a joke. Its a disgrace to liberalism and creative/innovative incentives!'

'A lifelong Democrat, even I don't believe that all changes are good. Why do we care about a new logo at this point in time when our nation's future is at stake? There are much more important things to worry about, like trying to keep our majority in Congress for one. Given the anger out there against incumbents, we should be explaining our position better. We are letting the Tea Partiers define the conversation. Should we lose our majority there would be serious ramifications.

I hope the DNC didn't waste too much money on whoever designed the logo. It should ask for its money back.'

http://www.democrats.org/news/blog/a_new_look_for_democrats

I agree with the last poster's comment up to the point that the biggest priority is keeping a Democrat majority in Congress.  That's the problem, everyone is so wrapped up in retaining power that they are willing to accept horrible policy just so "their" party can remain in power.

I did not find a "platform" for the November midterms on the Democrats.org page, however there is a tab which shows what the party "stands for".  That's a much more intelligent way to judge a political movement stands for, wouldn't you say?

[Smokinokie]

Why wouldn't it be worth it?

You only vote for people with R in front of their name?

No, I and L are also acceptable. I have never seen a fiscally responsible D.

[Smokinokie]

So are you suggesting we need a Democratic version of the teabaggers?  I'll do a lot of things for the Democratic Party, but a lobotomy is not one of them.

How do you feel about being called a libtard?

[guido911]

I cant recall if a Demo. has helped any economy anywhere.

Well, there's Obama's stash:

By all means, let's attack the teabaggers' intellect and just ignore the circle that the left in this forum run in.

[Conan71]

Well, there's Obama's stash:

By all means, let's attack the teabaggers' intellect and just ignore the circle that the left in this forum run in.

Poverty pimpin' at it's finest.  Wow, keep folks mired in mediocrity for votes at the expense of the productive people in society.

[Red Arrow]

Think back to the 90's.

I kind of remember a guy in the 90s that took advantage of 12 years of Republican presidential guidance that the economy took advantage of to grow in a way that would have made even Jimmy Carter look good.  Then, just to top it off, he got a Republican House and Senate, leading to a slide to the center from the left, welfare reform and a budget surplus.

In spite of all these advantages, by the end of his second term there were definate signs of a falling economy in manufacturing.  He destroyed in 8 years what took the Republicans 12 years to build up.

[Red Arrow]

How do you feel about being called a libtard?

I always liked to call them Democraps.

[Smokinokie]

I always liked to call them Democraps.

Yea, I know. My point was about name calling in general. BOTH sides like to call the other by derogatory names. BOTH sides get a little pissy when it happens to them.
While I'm not a tea party enthusiast, I agree with a lot of what they say. I just don't understand their love of everything Palin. My issues with her are the same issues I had with obama. No experience in anything meaningful. Turns out I was correct about obama.