Are you still clinging to the delusion that these are non-partisan? It appears the "Big Lie" propaganda technique lives on even after Bush... "... in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying." Chapoter 10 - Mein Kampf
More like they got rid of their biggest competitors with some helping hand. There is Goldman and there is everyone else, that haven't changed.
The Chapter 10 apple falls on both sides of the fence I'm afraid. Why do you cling to the delusion that the tea parties are partisan? It may have started that way -- although this story outlines the basic formation -- but the parties have evolved into a genuine populist outcry. The groundswell has to be scary for politicians, left or right.
I can't resist..... Why oh WHY oh why do these protestors hate america!??!! Their lack of patriotism and support for our glorious president's policies is DULY NOTED.
I'd argue the opposite. They started out populist and have now been swallowed (get it? tea bagging - swallowed? hohoho I'm hilarious) by the standard conservative rejects.
Rhad -- you are generally articulate, but I am having trouble following you on this one. First, nobody swallows teabags. But the puzzler is "standard conservative rejects." BTW, touche on your post prior to this one.
Why would Democrats be scared by a bunch of conservatives yelling about taxes? Here's the actual hard data: Views of Income Taxes Among Most Positive Since 1956: http://www.gallup.com/poll/117433/Views-Income-Taxes-Among-Positive-1956.aspx Satisfaction Ratings Continue Slow, Steady Climb http://www.gallup.com/poll/117370/Satisfaction-Ratings-Continue-Slow-Steady-Climb.aspx Americans Most Confident in Obama on Economy http://www.gallup.com/poll/117415/Americans-Confident-Obama-Economy.aspx The last one is most telling. 71% of Americans have confidence in Obama on the economy, compared to 51% for Congressional Dems and 38% for Congressional GOP. Independents support Obama at 68%. Even 38% of Republcians compared to just 57% of Republicans supporting their own party's leadership. There's no groundswell of anger. There's a small minority of vocal conservatives simply becoming more angry & vocal, and trying to claim they are a big bunch of people. That's why conservative groups are organizing these things. That's why conservative groups are paying people to try to get people to come out to them. For comparison, watch the turnout today compared to the Iraq war protests.
If you don't mind thumbs, please share more of your insight on the methodologies and tactics utilized in teabagging - I think everyone here will find it enlightening. "Standard conservatives" as in "Michelle Malkin, Glenn Beck, and well.... the entire Fox News Channel". I exclude Glenn Reynolds - he is not standard. "Rejects" as in, "representing a much smaller percentage of the populace than they would like you to believe, and generally being recognized as fringe entities of limited political or intellectual merit". From what I have read, these parties did start as grass roots movements - heck the first was held in Seattle, net exactly a Mecca for conservative punditry. Most of the frustration was in regards to the stimulus package - of which while I do not totally agree, I can certainly understand the sentiment. I have often posted on here statements that coincide with a general disdain for wasteful spending. However, once Fox and the aforementioned ilk picked up on the idea, they ran with it, and attracted the wingnut teabagger crowd that you have denied exists. What was a general protest against government waste and excess (long overdue, but poorly timed IMO) became a haven for anti-socialism parades and angry displays about tax rates - both of which are objectively and qualitatively insane. This crowd, naturally (or unfortunately, in your case), tends to come with the "slightly less whackjob but still crazy" crowd of strictly partisan GOP angry-types, who will now collectively make our heads explode as they lamblast spending, argue that civil rights are eroding, and generally make hypocritical asses of themselves in the name of the "team sport" of politics.
First, since there is "no groundswell of anger," my camera is going to record a phantasmic crowd, one of hundreds across the country. So there's nothing to worry about, especially since there will be as many Democrats as Republicans protesting. Many are protesting taxes, but the vast majority IMO are protesting how those taxes are spent. This is not an anti-Democratic outcry but, when all is boiled down (see, rhadamanthus, I can go for the fun of a pun too), the protesters are really tired of unresponsive pols, wasteful spending and governmental double standards. Time will tell whether the tea parties have any effect. So, if you believe in positive change, join us. BTW, later tonight after the game I will wade through your listed references. I don't have a lot of extra time right now. I have to get my octogenarians into the Menger Hotel so they can march (slowly), raise canes, rest, and party some more.
I think the election of President Obama provides you a tactile example of the backlash against the "unresponsive pols, wasteful spending and governmental double standards" characterized by the previous administration. I join you in supporting these changes implemented by the Obama administration.
What exactly are these protests about? Taxes in general? I mean ... what? I've looked at the websites and read around ... but I have yet to see any clear definitive statement beyond the vaguely idealistic "WE PROTEST CUZ WE WANTS THE FREEDOMZ!!! lol"
Just as I am not a fan of people like Keith Olbermann, I am not a fan of people like Michelle Malkin. I do have to give Fox News credit for seeing the potential impact of the populist tea party idea and immediately jumping on the bandwagon. The sad part is that a number of pundits and pols have shanghaied the cause to use for their own purposes. You said these pundits and pols "attracted the wingnut teabagger crowd that you have denied exists." I have never denied they exist. I merely said they are not the controlling factor in the protests. (Incidentally, a wingnut is an integral cog used in machinery.) Most are ordinary people are just tired of wasteful spending, unresponsive politicians and double standards for politicians and people with serious money. That's why this is a truly populist movement, and it scary for some to see the great middle of American politics waking up.
I've tried to explain your question in earlier posts. Most people (not the fringies) don't mind paying taxes. They are angry that the government is, and has been, wasting tax money at an alarming rate.
What's hilarious is that except for the Fox news an other pundits there, most of these people will be getting a tax cut and the people who make more than $250K will still be paying much less than they would have during the Reagan years. The complaining about taxes is just ludicrous.
Alright, me too. But they've been wasting tax money for a long, long time ... where were the Tea Parties during the previous administration? You're really portraying this movement as more non-partisan than it really is. I'm sure there are a few in the fold who are more concerned with the issues than the politics, but the impression I have is that they're in the minority. I'm not sure I'd agree that all these expenditures are a waste of money, but many of them are. The bailout was definitely a massive cash-grab.
They have effectively removed the "populist" part of these rallies. You cannot have non-partisan and populist protest sponsored, supported, and encouraged by a distinctly partisan media entity. Stop trying to pretend that FNC was somehow being altruistic - that's outright delusional. None of your assertions here are supported by any of the articles or descriptions of these events or their organizers. None. NADA. ZILCH. I mean, pick any google link at random. Here's an example (search "tea party 2009"): http://kaybrooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/nashville-tea-party-2009-02-27.html Just read a tidbit of that - look at the pictures, read the signs in the protest. Peruse the blog a bit. Your "populist" movement is a joke and a delusion. This is a decidedly fringe movement of folks who are disturbingly partisan and out of touch with both reality, and the meaning of the words they are using.
You go do that. Here's are some examples of groundswells of anger (Iraq war protests). Tell me if it looks anything like this:
