I’ve been encouraged that the Tea Party movement is growing and becoming better organized. Conventions will be held to coordinate efforts, and even the MSM is starting to pay attention without the typical attacks. We are having an impact, but to continue doing so, some things need to be considered.
Contrary to what the MSM has been saying, the Tea Parties are not a branch of the Republican Party, Fox News, the insurance industry, and so on. There are Republicans, Independents, Conservatives, Libertarians, and even Democratic and Green Party folks involved (I did see some Green Party folks at a local event). Therefore, the movement should stick with the three basic tenants that can potentially unite all of these groups: small government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets. If battles erupt over other issues, the movement will fracture and fail. Just ask the Reform Party.
The movement needs to ALWAYS be about IDEOLOGY. Consistent with that, I don’t believe that there should be a national “leader” of the Tea Parties. Do that, and it will become more about the leader than the cause-more about personality than ideology. I’ve seem some folks postulating excitedly that since Sarah Palin is speaking at one of the conventions, she is going to become the “leader.” I literally cringe when I hear such talk. Don’t get me wrong, some “star power” supporting the movement is a great thing, but avoid having a leader that can potentially divide the coalition. It’s about ideas, not leaders. Keep it grassroots, and let the people run it.
We, individually, need to always question everything. Yes, I know, it makes me sound like a 60’s hippie, but it’s a great way to keep us honest. In all honesty, questioning everything is why I’m a Conservative. I was indoctrinated liberal in college, but once I got out in the real world, and started seeing that everything I taught was fail, I questioned, and sought out information. Then I studied Conservatism, which fits reality quite nicely. We can never stop questioning. We need to be able to point out possible mistakes, potential issues, and absolutely never be sheeple. In other words, NEVER blindly follow.
So why mention this here? We always need to honest with ourselves. When anyone joins something bigger than himself or herself, there is always danger in losing oneself to the group. It can happen in any situation or movement. People, no matter how intelligent or forthright, can get caught up in a movement that leads to nowhere, or worse. Considering that there are likely liberal psyops in many groups, forums, or blogs, we have to keep evaluating things to make sure that we are always being true to the ideology above all else. When we start compromising our idea, falling for false flag ops, or failing to see that a “leader” is misleading us, our movement fails, or we become no better than the Republicans or the Democrats.
I think, as well, that we can’t always “take our ball and go home” when things don’t go exactly as we want. Yes, most of the Tea Party folks are Conservatives, but we’re not all cut from the same cloth either. Some of us are issue oriented, others lean towards the libertarian side. All is well with this; it gives us some real diversity of thought. However, there is always the danger that we can fracture over smaller issues, while letting the larger ones go unattended. If people stick with the three big issues, the others can be discussed and debated. Let’s remember that the Constitutional Convention was NOT a hugfest. The debate was often heated and contentious, but at the end of the day, the delegates, representing the best and brightest of the country, if not the world, gave us something incredible. We have to look to their example, and within ourselves, to find the best way to move the movement forward.
If we stick with ideas, and avoid the pitfalls of previous failed movements, we can achieve great things. If we stick to the ideas that unite us, we can accomplish some things that would make the founders proud. Just remember, it’s ALWAYS about IDEAS!!
Matt
I believe that future generations should have the same opportunities that myself, and those that came before me, had. My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do. I don’t want to have to tell my daughter, “You can do whatever the government tells you to do.” We are at a crossroads in this country; are we going to be free, or are we going to be slaves to the nanny state. I choose freedom.
Great post Matt, you made some great points. The event that I attended was also mostly conservatives but there were some liberal there also. I like what you said about not having a national leader, it seems that if the party would adopt an official platform or a party leader that it would naturally push some people away. That is the last thing that we need. We need to stay focused on the main goal of the movement and that is returning the government back to the people.
Thanks Mr. Pink Eyes. It gives me the willies when people try to make the Tea Parties into something that they are not. Especially when people start wanting to make it into a party.
Matt, this is super. I agree 100%, and I never thought someone would articulate this. And you are SO right about the psyops mudding the water, more so now that we are gaining recognition. Question and monitor everything, and make it about the Movement, not a “leader”. I’ve had just about enough of leaders these days!
PS: That was so nice of you to comment and offer your help on my latest post..the Echo didn’t pick it up, so
I posted for you. I get blogger e-mails of comments, so I saw it that way. I appreciate you kind words and help. At this point, Prayers and Encouragement are the best help. I linked your site in the comment too.
Have a wonderful Sunday, and thanks for your wisdom.
Matt, this is super. I agree 100%, and I never thought someone would articulate this. And you are SO right about the psyops mudding the water, more so now that we are gaining recognition. Question and monitor everything, and make it about the Movement, not a “leader”. I’ve had just about enough of leaders these days!
PS: That was so nice of you to comment and offer your help on my latest post..the Echo didn’t pick it up, so
I posted for you. I get blogger e-mails of comments, so I saw it that way. I appreciate you kind words and help. At this point, Prayers and Encouragement are the best help. I linked your site in the comment too.
Have a wonderful Sunday, and thanks for your wisdom.
Thank you, and you’re quite welcome.
Your comment was so good, you posted it twice, and I left both up!
Things were running slow, so I hit submit again, I figured you’d just moderate it out
Rather than ideology, I’d say principles. If we can keep it about principles, and let each state apply them to their circumstances, we accomplish more than a top down ‘this is what this means’ leader’s take.
Palin and others can be cheerleaders, applying the principles to national issues (like social issues NOT being a federal issue) and we can have 50 tea party organizations all agreeing on principles, but acting locally.
Thanks for commenting Tracy. You nailed it.
G’mornin my friend!:)..I think most of us hoped this movement would be our salvation..lets hope it stays level headed but still fierce!!
Good afternoon Angel! I hope it stays level headed, and local. Grassroots isn’t grassroots when it’s top-down controlled. If we allow that to happen, it becomes ACORN or something like that. We can NEVER allow that to happen.
Exactly, Matt. We need to stay focused on ideology and not get caught up in parties or other distractions.
Thanks Karen! I’m glad that people are seeing the same thing. Since I tend to question things, I sometimes post things knowing that some may not like it, but it still has to be said. After all, we’re not liberals!
Great Post, Matt. I am with you all the way here. We need to focus on the agreement between the different sects of conservatism instead of having heated debates on the policies we disagree on. Your right. It is all about IDEAS!!
I thought it was a good idea to add that because the left are master dividers. They will exploit any crack they can find, unless we stop them. Also, any movement will attract people that are there for themselves, and not for the cause. If we always stay on task, it will be very hard for these folks to divide us.
Great post Matt and detailed as usual. You have picked three great issues, undoubtedly the three that are closest to your heart. Three that I also agree with, but one of which I would modify—that being free trade. There I have mixed feeling. But others in the Tea Party movement may have other priorities and others things they would put higher on that list.
As for a leader—it does seem to me that every movement must have a leader, one who defines it, one that picks up the fallen flag and advances toward the enemy. Without such a leader no movement can in the end win the final victory. Yes, leaders can be disappointing and often fail the cause; nevertheless, a leaderless movement cannot succeed. Just my two cents worth!
You raise some interesting points Ron. I basically used the three points that the article I linked mentioned. My personal priorities might be a bit different, but reducing the size of government is likely the highest on my preferences. Do that, and many other objectives come into reach.
I do hear you about the leader position. I think that many people can display leadership on the local and state level, and cooperate on the larger stage. There can be spokespeople and so one, but my distrust of centralized control and hatred of personality cults makes me hesitant to support a “dear leader” of our own.
Your two cents are always welcome here Ron.
It’s great that the tea party movement has struck a chord with the American people. If the movement can stay focused on the core ideas and clearly convey our simple and concise expectations to the politicos in Washington this will be fantastic. And if they deviate from these expectations they understand that they will alienate a huge and active voting block.
I think it’s great that Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are speaking at the Tea Party convention. They are two fantastic conservatives who can get the word out and as you said can bring some ‘star power’ to the movement.
I think everything is encouraging at this point. I just like to look ahead and warn about potential problems. It has served me well in the past.
Ahhh… An experienced optimist.
Indeed. Things have to blowup in your face a few times before you learn to problem-solve in advance.
Great post. The tea party movement gets me fired up (in a good way) and will play a big part in the 2010 elections as long as everything holds together. I agree that the principles supported by the movement need to be simple and few in number. Smaller government, fiscal responsibility and free trade are all points that the majority of Americans agree with and could gain support from all but the most extreme progressives/liberals. If the tea party movement can begin to accomplish even 1 or 2 of these principles, then other conservative goals will come into reach.
A year ago I never would have thought I’d be saying this but… I’m super excited to see what this year has in store for our country politically and the attitude of Americans towards government and liberty.
I’m kinda excited as well. I just fear what the left will do once they really see that their house of cards is collapsing.
Matt, Outstanding post. I agree that the tea party movement does not need a specific leader. I do believe that members need to continue to educate themselves on the issues. If they are going to carry a sign supporting a cause or promoting a statement then they had better do their homework. If not they will become easy targets for the left-wing media and provide the opportunity to marginalize the movement. Again keep it up!
Thanks John, I’ve been wanting to get to your place some more, but time has been against me as of late.
I was thinking about doing a post on what you suggest. If you are going to be behind something, you have to be ready to defend it. One cannot simply say that they support or oppose something without understanding it. Leave that to the liberals.
I’m thinking the movement is helping us get behind good candidates, like Brown in Mass. If he wins, we can keep momentum going into November.
I have my fingers crossed for Brown. It’s that tight. It’ll also be funny to see the reaction to a Republican being elected in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts, let alone to Kennedy’s seat.
Bravo! I love how you put ideology front and center. Too many people misunderstand the importance of ideology, treating it like a bad thing. And I too am not interested in a “leader.” Look how much success the movement is already having without one! This is America, we’re 300+ million individual leaders strong! Politicians are employees, not leaders. Awesome!
Thanks CL. We have to be about SOMETHING. The Dems and GOP have been politicized. The ideas take a back seat.
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