TheTea Party
A third political party?
by Cadman Kiker
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Opinion
Nearly 150 years have passed since the U.S. government has been substantially represented by a political party other than the Republicans or Democrats.
That, it seems, could be about to change. The "Tea Party," as the movement is calling itself, is quickly transforming from political protest movement to a national political party with a distinct platform.
Just last week, the movement held its own convention to discuss its major issues with the current government.
According to the movement's web-site, the mission of its founders is as follows: "The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets."
Many of us may have never heard of this fast-growing movement, or only of mockeries thereof. This is because most of the major news networks, when they did cover it, used it as the brunt of sophomoric jokes or dismissed the members as radicals rather than giving it real media coverage.
Now it seems that the American people have lent credence to the "Party's" cause, and it's quickly growing in power and influence, with speculation as to whether it may enter a Presidential candidate in 2012.
As for my opinion? I agree with many issues raised on the web-site, but would advise caution. If this truly is turning into a powerful national party, hidden agendas will surely follow.
That, it seems, could be about to change. The "Tea Party," as the movement is calling itself, is quickly transforming from political protest movement to a national political party with a distinct platform.
Just last week, the movement held its own convention to discuss its major issues with the current government.
According to the movement's web-site, the mission of its founders is as follows: "The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets."
Many of us may have never heard of this fast-growing movement, or only of mockeries thereof. This is because most of the major news networks, when they did cover it, used it as the brunt of sophomoric jokes or dismissed the members as radicals rather than giving it real media coverage.
Now it seems that the American people have lent credence to the "Party's" cause, and it's quickly growing in power and influence, with speculation as to whether it may enter a Presidential candidate in 2012.
As for my opinion? I agree with many issues raised on the web-site, but would advise caution. If this truly is turning into a powerful national party, hidden agendas will surely follow.
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