Tag: Tea Party

"The Tea Party protesters are being manipulated by the very same conglomerates that are causing their problems . . ." Jimmy Hoffa, Jr.

This quote from a Detroit News op-ed is just one more in a long train of smears against the Tea Party movement by political leftists in government, media and academia; and by beneficiaries of the big-spending government status quo such as union bosses like Hoffa. Other recent examples include Thomas Frank in the Wall Street Journal this week, and the MSNBC host who melted down while interviewing a guest identified with the movement, accusing it of harboring "people who want to kill blacks and Jews."

They even do it unconsciously, as when Public Broadcasting person Gwen Ifill used the pejorative "teabagger" to refer to opponents of President Obama, not knowing of the term's sexual origin, the source of it being coined as a Tea Party insult. Ifill's ignorance  - and she's not the only one in media who has displayed this example - reveals that her only information about the movement (if not the world in general) comes from sources on the left.  

This reflexive smearing of the Tea Party movement is interesting. Left-brained people just can't imagine how those who believe in limited government and economic liberty could possibly be sincere and motivated by good will. One result is that when they look at free-market friendly non-profit organizations like the Mackinac Center they presume that these are cynical agents fronting for the class interests of a corporate plutocracy.

As for grassroots Tea Party protestors, the smear-jobbers imagine that these people must be motivated by something dark including racism and other forms of bigotry. At best they are ignorant dupes, manipulated by cynical elites and tricked by "false consciousness" into opposing their own best interests.

One of my colleagues believes that the insults are part of a willful delusion. The long range implications of the alternative to the "corporate puppets" theory is just too awful for them to contemplate. Specifically, that the Tea Parties are indeed a genuine bottom-up, grassroots movement that represents a sea change in the climate of public opinion regarding the big government welfare/regulatory state.

This frightening prospect causes liberal statists and government spending beneficiaries to become not just discombobulated when disussing Tea Parties and partiers, but unhinged, a' la' Thomas Frank and that MSNBC person.

The MSM has labeled Obama's post-Massachusetts demagoguery as "populism." This is reported as his "response" to the Tea Party spirit that's giving Dems the willies about November. Both Obama and the MSM can't understand why the President's reaction and their characterization of it is in fact a smear against Tea Partiers and their real concerns.

In that light, it's  worth revisiting Arthur Brooks wonderful op-ed from last spring on "Ethical Populism," the source of the excerpt above.

As Brooks explains, ethical populism has motivated millions of non-political members of the middle class to become Tea Partiers. Among other things they are deeply offended and disturbed by the hypocrisy that Michael Barone reported on this week, "Under Obama, Crony Capitalism Again Rules the Day." (h/t Capitol Confidential). There's plenty of crony capitalism going on right here in Michigan, too, from Michael Moore's pursuit corporate welfare of film subsidies (and that program in general), to bipartisan votes in the state House and Senate authorizing nearly half a billion dollars in handouts to electric car battery makers and related crony capitalists.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
7:00 - 8:30 PM
American Polish Cultural Center
2975 E. Maple Road
Troy, MI 49083

Other rallies are being planned for Jackson, Waterford and Kalamazoo.  Let us know if you want to plan one in your area!

Speakers include:
Wendy Day - Common Sense in Government
Ken Braun - Mackinac Center
Jack McHugh- Mackinac Center
Local Tea Party Leaders
Resolution Sponsors & Legislators

Read more HERE

This group, led by Brian Koss, Terry Davis and other great patriots, put together a great event.  We trudged across the parking lot and entered the beautiful building. Right inside the door of the ballroom there were postcards you could send to congress, copies of the Constitution and a book drive for children.  The tables were already filled and we had to wander through the crowd to find a spot at a table in the back.

How about this, if you don't have a good plan, do nothing. Leave it alone. Sometimes no action is better than bad action.  

Yes, it is an election year.  But you have my permission to set this issue aside and work on something else, like say, a balanced budget.

As for here in Michigan, there are urgent issues to be addressed. But in the middle of the trees, don't miss the forest.  Our State needs a House and Senate that will stand up to Washington.  We need folks who will stand against the unconstitutional imposition of laws on Michigan citizens.  We are married to a Federal Government that has gotten out of hand. It is time to push back.

While citizens can and should shout and protest what is happening in Washington, it is up to you, our elected officials to stand up for us legislatively.  Here are some questions I have:

1. What Federal programs can we opt out of?  

2. Why do the political elite allow a gang of nine make laws and rewrite the constitution with no consequences?  Are we not a representative republic? Stand up to these bullies in black robes.

3.  Why is it even an option to have Gitmo criminals dumped into Michigan?  Don't we have enough problems? Just say no!

It is time for courage in the Michigan Legislature. Whether you are a conservative, a conservative gone astray, or a DINO, go back and read the constitution of our state and our country and then stand up!  Stand up for all of us.  Lead.  Be Brave.