Comments on: GOP Regressives on Militarism and Hypocrisy http://turningpoints.iomaire.com/index.php/2009/04/19/gop-regressives-on-militarism-and-hypocrisy/ Ruminations on life, art, politics, and whatever else catches my fancy. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:09:41 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff http://turningpoints.iomaire.com/index.php/2009/04/19/gop-regressives-on-militarism-and-hypocrisy/comment-page-1/#comment-1468 Jeff Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:26:57 +0000 http://turningpoints.iomaire.com/?p=1056#comment-1468 Tim, From what I've read about the Tea Party rallies (I didn't attend one, so I have no first-person experiences to share), most of the protests were pretty incoherent and many included protests against unrelated issues. I really believe that most of the protesters are just acting out in an emotional manner, without having any fundamental understanding of the issues. If they did understand, they would be electing representatives that promise change that progressives and liberals have been arguing for for the last 50 years. But the power elite has co-opted the anger and directed it towards ends (the Fair Tax) that serve themselves instead of the working people in this country. And those working people, in ignorance and confusion, follow the leaders spreading the ideas promulgated by the power elite. What particularly bothers me is the complete close-mindedness so blatantly exhibited at these Tea Party rallies. A friend forwarded me an e-mail from a person she knows who is involved with the Tea Party movement that said that Ernest Partridge (the author of The Crisis Papers), had written "a bunch of dribble by this idiot regarding taxes. He obviously knows nothing and is just spouting emotional garbage regarding taxes." This was in response to Dr. Partridge's essay entitled "On Behalf of the Tea Bag Brigades: A Proposal". I honestly do not know how to reach these people. Tim,

From what I’ve read about the Tea Party rallies (I didn’t attend one, so I have no first-person experiences to share), most of the protests were pretty incoherent and many included protests against unrelated issues. I really believe that most of the protesters are just acting out in an emotional manner, without having any fundamental understanding of the issues. If they did understand, they would be electing representatives that promise change that progressives and liberals have been arguing for for the last 50 years. But the power elite has co-opted the anger and directed it towards ends (the Fair Tax) that serve themselves instead of the working people in this country. And those working people, in ignorance and confusion, follow the leaders spreading the ideas promulgated by the power elite.

What particularly bothers me is the complete close-mindedness so blatantly exhibited at these Tea Party rallies. A friend forwarded me an e-mail from a person she knows who is involved with the Tea Party movement that said that Ernest Partridge (the author of The Crisis Papers), had written “a bunch of dribble by this idiot regarding taxes. He obviously knows nothing and is just spouting emotional garbage regarding taxes.” This was in response to Dr. Partridge’s essay entitled “On Behalf of the Tea Bag Brigades: A Proposal”.

I honestly do not know how to reach these people.

]]> By: Tim Shaffer http://turningpoints.iomaire.com/index.php/2009/04/19/gop-regressives-on-militarism-and-hypocrisy/comment-page-1/#comment-1463 Tim Shaffer Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:50:59 +0000 http://turningpoints.iomaire.com/?p=1056#comment-1463 So I think the "important questions" I mentioned in my own post was the reality that those who are so opposed to government spending and such aren't really opposed at all. What has happened in the last three months that has fundamentally changed the role of government from the times of the Bush administration? Very little. Ideologically, however, their guy is now hanging out in Texas and not running the place. One of the common signs I saw at Tax Day Tea Parties was "taxation without representation." I found this interesting because, in fact, there is no question about elected politicians. The issue is that the views of those politicians don't necessarily reflect the views of those standing out there with their signs, etc. It bothers me a great deal that those on the Right have no problem spending trillions on war but don't want to invest in domestic issues that will have a lasting impact on our country and its citizens. I'm dumbfounded, really. And if you're pissed at the government, that's fine. Just don't do it under the auspices of the government taking money from folks because it's not different from the last eight years. So I think the “important questions” I mentioned in my own post was the reality that those who are so opposed to government spending and such aren’t really opposed at all. What has happened in the last three months that has fundamentally changed the role of government from the times of the Bush administration? Very little. Ideologically, however, their guy is now hanging out in Texas and not running the place.

One of the common signs I saw at Tax Day Tea Parties was “taxation without representation.” I found this interesting because, in fact, there is no question about elected politicians. The issue is that the views of those politicians don’t necessarily reflect the views of those standing out there with their signs, etc. It bothers me a great deal that those on the Right have no problem spending trillions on war but don’t want to invest in domestic issues that will have a lasting impact on our country and its citizens. I’m dumbfounded, really. And if you’re pissed at the government, that’s fine. Just don’t do it under the auspices of the government taking money from folks because it’s not different from the last eight years.

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