Summary: The Tea Party Movement began with such hope and enthusiasm, and evolved into GOP shock troops — in effect supporting what they opposed. Such as bank-friendly policies. We ask the mineshaft what went wrong? {Aka ”ask the community”, from the German “Gemeinschaft”. See Wikipedia}
Posts on the FM website quickly and correctly forecast that the Tea Party Movement (TPM) would accomplish few of their goals.
- Limited government? No. The government’s power continues to expand beyond those under the Constitution. Illegal wars, shredding of basic civil liberties and protections, continued expansion of its reach.
- Deficits? No. Continued massive deficits, voted though by bipartisan majorities.
- Rollback of bank-friendly government? Nope. The GOP and Democrats are the bankers best friends.
Instead they’ve become shock troops for the GOP. Advancing its goals while providing an unpopular lighting rod for public dislike.
But a correct forecast results from logic; it’s only the beginning of wisdom. Analysis can be correct but still superficial. Let’s look deeper.
The TPM resulted from passionate concern by millions that America has taken a wrong turn (much like the Occupy Wall Street movement). Unlike OWS’ street theater, the TPM built a serious and well-crafted political organization. Local affiliates, with an emphasis on education and mobilization. Classic work, textbook quality.
What went wrong? Understanding why the TPM failed is necessary if we’re to build an effective reform movement. We’re on the clock as the timer runs down on the Constitution. We cannot afford large mistakes.
Please post your answer in the comments.
For more information about the Tea Party Movement
- Are the new “tea party” protests a grass roots rebellion or agitprop?, 1 March 2009
- The weak link in America’s political regime, 16 September 2009
- More examples of Americans waking up – should we rejoice?, 10 October 2009
- Does the Tea Party movement remind you of the movie “Meet John Doe”?, 27 January 2010
- The Tea Party movement develops a platform. It’s the Underpants Gnomes Business Plan!, 8 March 2010
- About the Tea Party Movement: who they are and what they believe, 19 March 2010
- The Tea Party Movement disproves my recommendation for the path to reforming America, 20 April 2010
- At last we see a Tea Party political platform, 13 May 2010
- Kinsley – “My Country, Tis of Me – There’s nothing patriotic about the Tea Party Patriots”, 15 May 2010
- Why has wild man Mark Williams become a top leader of the Tea Party movement?, 13 June 2010
- More people participating in politics: is this good for America?, 20 June 2010
- Obama scores again against the Constitution. The Tea Party is right about the battle, but AWOL., 28 September 2010
- Today’s tea party propaganda: the wonderfulness of slavery, 8 July 2011