For JTF's Reading Pleasure: "What is the Tea Party"

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think more than anything, for me, it speaks to the viability and future prospects of the Tea Party movement. Last summer all the media could do was obsess about the Tea Party and how they were taking the country back. Problem is they want to take it back to the 1900s. What a difference a year makes.

I think the Tea Party has a great basic premise, smaller federal gov't, less spending. But it's candidates have to become more politcally saavy if they're going to win elections in battleground areas. They've got to be smarter in responses to questions, learn how to track to the center for general elections, and not get pigeon-holed by strict ideology.

The Tea Party is making a lot of enemies on the left so they're definitely a threat. We'll just have to see how Nov. plays out to determine their real impact.

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

I think the Tea Party has a great basic premise, smaller federal gov't, less spending. But it's candidates have to become more politcally saavy if they're going to win elections in battleground areas. They've got to be smarter in responses to questions, learn how to track to the center for general elections, and not get pigeon-holed by strict ideology.

The Tea Party is making a lot of enemies on the left so they're definitely a threat. We'll just have to see how Nov. plays out to determine their real impact.

The real enemies of the Tea Party are the Republicans.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

The real enemies of the Tea Party are the Republicans.

Agreed. RINOs and the Republican establishment are definitely no friend to the Tea Party either.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

I think the Tea Party has a great basic premise, smaller federal gov't, less spending. But it's candidates have to become more politcally saavy if they're going to win elections in battleground areas. They've got to be smarter in responses to questions, learn how to track to the center for general elections, and not get pigeon-holed by strict ideology.

The Tea Party is making a lot of enemies on the left so they're definitely a threat. We'll just have to see how Nov. plays out to determine their real impact.

No one's arguing with the basic premise of the Tea Party. In fact, I'll gurantee you that you'll find no less than half dozen Dems, in both houses, that agree with these exact same principles. I can name at least 6 off the top of my head. But let's not get the argument twisted here. How do you cut spending while the economy is spiraling into a deep recession, small business struggling, and 8 million unemployed? Fair mind economists say you have to stimulate the economy to spur growth. How can we reduce the size of government when the military complex and all of it's affiliates are expanding because the United States is fighting two wars and the ever elusvive war on terror? Hard ain't it?

See this is why the Tea Party will never take off in my opinion. These are the same old Reagan year arguments, problem is this is 2010 and the world is much more complex. They say cut this and cut that, but EXACTLY what are their policy prescriptions? I've said this before but the problem isn't big government v small governement. The real problem here is: a) our leaders lack political courage to make tough decisions and b) it's difficult to get a working coalition to solve these difficult problems due to a toxic political environment in Washington.

What, the Tea Party will suddenly get a squeaky clean and a born gain Congress to work with? The minute a credible, sober minded Tea Party candidate emerges, and none have yet, he or she will be handed the same old broken system and be asked to change it from the inside out.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

How do you cut spending while the economy is spiraling into a deep recession, small business struggling, and 8 million unemployed? Fair mind economists say you have to stimulate the economy to spur growth. How can we reduce the size of government when the military complex and all of it's affiliates are expanding because the United States is fighting two wars and the ever elusvive war on terror? Hard ain't it?

I've stated my ideas before, but as you mention below, they'll never happen.

The real problem here is: a) our leaders lack political courage to make tough decisions and b) it's difficult to get a working coalition to solve these difficult problems due to a toxic political environment in Washington.

Agree 100%. I don't know if term limits fix this, but it's certainly a start.

What, the Tea Party will suddenly get a squeaky clean and a born gain Congress to work with? The minute a credible, sober minded Tea Party candidate emerges, and none have yet, he or she will be handed the same old broken system and be asked to change it from the inside out.

The middle of the road Tea Party candidates also get stomped out by the legacy Repub machine (just happened in our primary in VB).

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

I've stated my ideas before, but as you mention below, they'll never happen.

Agree 100%. I don't know if term limits fix this, but it's certainly a start.

The middle of the road Tea Party candidates also get stomped out by the legacy Repub machine (just happened in our primary in VB).

The only problem with term limits is that you eventually cede control and influence to the lobbyist with 20 years of experience. Imagine a freshman Senator standing toe-to-toe with one of these guys who's been working the Hill for two decades. No chance he'll get the support he needs. Our most respected Senators are our most seasoned ones, not the other way around.

Secondly, if we go term limites you'll never become an expert at anything. Imagine some of the Senators that have chaired and served on the intelligence committee or anything related to foreign policy. It's takes many years to accumlate the knowledge and depth to shape policy and understand the world abroad. Again, some young buck just coming into congress or the senate just can't do it if we institute term limits.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

The only problem with term limits is that you eventually cede control and influence to the lobbyist with 20 years of experience. Imagine a freshman Senator standing toe-to-toe with one of these guys who's been working the Hill for two decades. No chance he'll get the support he needs. Our most respected Senators are our most seasoned ones, not the other way around.

If term limits are in place, it decreases the power of lobbyists. Assuming a constant flow of funding to the lobbyists, with more turn-over, more ground to cover.

Secondly, if we go term limites you'll never become an expert at anything. Imagine some of the Senators that have chaired and served on the intelligence committee or anything related to foreign policy. It's takes many years to accumlate the knowledge and depth to shape policy and understand the world abroad. Again, some young buck just coming into congress or the senate just can't do it if we institute term limits.

I'm talking something along the lines of what Newt proposed in 1994, 12 years for each house. You'll still have enough experience on the various committees to bridge any gaps as newbs get up to speed.

Pretty balanced article from Time on both sides of the argument (go figure, LOL).

Congress Term Limits: No Magic Fix for Washington's Woes - TIME

[saden1]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

No one's arguing with the basic premise of the Tea Party. In fact, I'll gurantee you that you'll find no less than half dozen Dems, in both houses, that agree with these exact same principles. I can name at least 6 off the top of my head. But let's not get the argument twisted here. How do you cut spending while the economy is spiraling into a deep recession, small business struggling, and 8 million unemployed? Fair mind economists say you have to stimulate the economy to spur growth. How can we reduce the size of government when the military complex and all of it's affiliates are expanding because the United States is fighting two wars and the ever elusvive war on terror? Hard ain't it?

See this is why the Tea Party will never take off in my opinion. These are the same old Reagan year arguments, problem is this is 2010 and the world is much more complex. They say cut this and cut that, but EXACTLY what are their policy prescriptions? I've said this before but the problem isn't big government v small governement. The real problem here is: a) our leaders lack political courage to make tough decisions and b) it's difficult to get a working coalition to solve these difficult problems due to a toxic political environment in Washington.

What, the Tea Party will suddenly get a squeaky clean and a born gain Congress to work with? The minute a credible, sober minded Tea Party candidate emerges, and none have yet, he or she will be handed the same old broken system and be asked to change it from the inside out.

Help me out here...what do you call this? Running out the clock? Didn't they oppose the debt commission if raising taxes in any form is on the table?