The Tea Party may have saved the Republican Party. Today, GOP establishment looks upon it as a needed liability.
On the other side of the hill, Democrats label the Tea Party as "what's wrong in Washington." They point to the gridlock and conclude that it is the Tea Party that keeps well meaning pragmatists such as John Boehner from a compromise.
The media, depending on if you're watching Sean Hannity or Al Sharpton, is consistently, inconsistent. Some conservatives quietly wish for a little more political realism. Moderate Democrats actually agree with some Tea Party positions. Republicans don't have an exclusive on fiscal conservatism.
The problem that has surfaced throughout the short life of the Tea Party has been a question of identity. In essence, "which Tea Party?"
We must keep in mind that there is no centralized point of the Tea Party. There are the Tea Party Patriots. There is the Tea Party Express. There is Tea Party.com. etc . There is now a Tea Party Radio Network. Yet, when attending local meetings, many are dismayed to learn that it's often no more than a county-to-county, even neighborhood-to-neighborhood clique!
Florida Senator Marco Rubio described the Tea Party as a "main street movement." This is a diplomatic way of saying "something without leadership, without clearly defined goals and a plan."
The quickest way to become alienated from one of the Tea Parties is to express support for the wrong Republican candidate. True, not all Tea Party members are Republicans. A large number are Libertarians. Many are Independents and a surprising number of them are Democrats. Most but not all of these Democrats are "D.I.N.O.S"(Democrats in name only). Some voters who claim to be Independents are relative newcomers to political affairs. Previously they had "let somebody else worry about those things." Now, it's a matter of getting involved. The Tea Party can take credit for mobilizing these Americans.
The question of identity comes from "if" only fiscal conservatism is on the radar. The Tea Party Patriots only address fiscal issues. This is a wise starting point. But simply downsizing the government and adopting a balanced budget amendment comes up short in defining a clear path. The Tea Party Express has been more active in drafting candidates for political runs. However, they have not done it without catching contempt from both the left and the Republican establishment. Some isolated remarks have suggested that the Tea Party Express may be about more than fiscal conservatism.
Imagine a large, loosely configured volunteer army. They have numbers. They have a cause. They have an objective, albeit a murky one. But they have no guns or ammunition. They have no battle plan. They haven't given the slightest thought to possible allies or reinforcements. They don't even know who is in charge!
They do know "who" the enemy is.
We have referenced a group of potential allies labeled, "the disaffecteds." They are unhappy with an America that has seemingly forgotten them. They are mostly independents. They have low incomes but work. Almost half of them are parents. They mistrust the federal government and generally dislike the current president. All they need is a chance; and a cause. And, above all, they need to be armed.
Sounds like a war! Actually it is! And it has been going on for quite some time. The only missing ingrediant is the ordnance. Enter the "E" Amendment!
The "E" Amendment would cut billions, if not trillions from federal, state and local budgets. By relieving state and local governments of paying for unfunded mandates so casually issued by Washington, they would free up money to pay for functions the states were meant to handle. Namely education, energy, and environmental protection.
Immigration Reform is considered by some to be a social issue. In reality, it is a fiscal issue. The proposal introduced in the "E" Amendment would fix the problem, and save billions in the process!
Identity theft is a fiscal issue. Why that it continues to lurk in the shadows is simple: "You can't have an adult discussion about identity theft without including outsourcing in the conversation."
Which brings us to the "ugly part of the topic, the true revealing of the dark side of America:" Affluent Democrats and Establishment Republicans look at Wall Street as the barometer for success in the country. In short, if the stock market is doing well, then everything is "peachy."
Are Tea Party members akin to the rabble seen camped outside of Wall Street? Heavens no! This would be like comparing a Billy Graham crusade to the anti-war riots at the Chicago Democratic convention in 1968.
Some have suggested that these protesters are not unlike groups seen on the streets of Petrograd(St. Petersburg) in 1916 Russia. More accurately, their anti-semitic intonations are reminiscent of Berlin in 1927. It is a chilling glimpse of what might be in store for America if a constructive alternative is not brought forth.
Whatever, we may think of these throngs of angry countrymen, we must stop and listen to what they are saying: "There has been a drastic wealth transfer in the United States since 1997."
There are those who simply leave it at "damn the godderdamerung." But it's more complicated than that. In a country of laws, we suddenly saw morals and ethics get tossed to wayside in favor of taking care of one's own. People got hurt. In most cases they were people who had played by the rules. The offenders not only went unpunished. They were allowed to keep everything that they had swindled.
The Tea Party can use this scenario to draw a distinction between themselves and those distructively in the streets chanting "anarchy and revolution." By openly acknowleging the problem and simultaneously offering a solution, the Tea Party transcends the steet agitators. That solution is the "E" Amendment.
Far left Democrats won't like it. The Establishment Republicans might scorn it. But those needed allies referred to earlier will embrace it. They will see it as a chance to insure that every American is significant and relevant. And this is where the Tea Party can unite it's behemoth masses. They now have a road map that will bring Americas' fiscal house in order.
It is actually very simple: Pass legislation that eliminates current and previously unfunded mandates. Adopt a fair, practical and comprehensive immigration plan and take exclusive control of American information processing. "Cutting waste, maximizing manpower and creating jobs." Are these not all worthwhile objectives?
What if the "bluebloods" in the Republican Party don't go for it? It's already assumed that the Nancy Pelosi cohorts won't buy it!
We return to our members of "forgotten America." Don't forget,two-thirds of them are independents. The Tea Party has just reclassified them: They are no longer "Disaffecteds." They are now, "Eagles for America."
Don't look now, but a powerful coalition has emerged. This formless, mass of people who suddenly woke up and realized that they were losing the country have an ally. They have been joined by people who felt that the country had left them. Don't forget, only 19% of Disaffecteds identify with the Tea Party. These are distinct segments of the population and they are unified in a common cause.
To bring about a "smarter, stronger, more secure America that is fiscally responsible, energy independent and cares about all of her citizens" will reasonate. The proclamation that "all Americans are significant and relevant," touches people where it counts. A call for unity has that kind of effect.
Adopting the "E" Amendment allows the Tea Party to shed an incorrect and unjustified label placed upon it by the far left: racist. The "E" Amendment promotes assimulation in the tradition of Americas melting pot. "Eagles for America" is the "E" Amendment manifested. It is a signal to all disaffected Americans that "you are invited and will be included in our cause, no matter what your background, race, ethnic or religious affiliation might be."
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