The Tea Parties

[tsptalk]

I haven't seen any threads created on the recent Tea Parties.

What did you feel about them?
Will they have a positive, negative, or little to no affect?
Did anyone go to one? Where? How was it? Turn out?
What did you think of the media coverage?
etc....

I realize most right of center will likely have more positive views, and left of center probably more negative. If that assuption is wrong, let us know why.

[Buster]

IMO..these modern day tea party goers are idiots..they are fashioning these demonstrations after the famous "Boston Tea Party"..and the point of that historic Boston harbor uprising, was because of taxation without representation...I fail to see the parallel with these morons picketing just to bitch and show their asses in public.:rolleyes:

A year ago there was a flu serum shortage...I didn't see anybody demonstrating at the CDC under the banner of the Black Death Plague that killed off almost all of Europe in the 12th century....Same difference..

[KevinD]

I haven't seen any threads created on the recent Tea Parties.

What did you feel about them?
Will they have a positive, negative, or little to no affect?
Did anyone go to one? Where? How was it? Turn out?
What did you think of the media coverage?
etc....

I realize most right of center will likely have more positive views, and left of center probably more negative. If that assuption is wrong, let us know why.

I went to the one in Atlanta. See pics here.
http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showpost.php?p=216584&postcount=186

What did I feel? If thats the best the right has to bring then the left has nothing to worry about.

Impact - If there is any impact it will have to come at the ballot box. Voters are going to HAVE to kick those people out of office for there to be any impact. IMO.

How was it? I felt it was a pep rally with little pep.

Turn out? They claim there were 15K but I have no way to verify that.

I haven't checked the media coverage. I saw the local channel 2 news interviewing some white dude with dreadlocks down to his @$$. Other wise most of the people there looked a lot like...me. :D

[tsptalk]

One thing that struck me was the civility of the events. Compare the protesters with their signs and chants of "USA" to loonies in Europe who were throwing bricks through windows, starting fires in the street, etc.

[nnuut]

One thing that struck me was the civility of the events. Compare the protesters with their signs and chants of "USA" to loonies in Europe who were throwing bricks through windows, starting fires in the street, etc.
It may have been better if pitchforks were wielded and bricks were thrown!!:cool: Tar and feathers is a good touch.:D

[Frixxxx]

My problem with the Tea Parties was the lack of unity in the message. Some were about taxes. Some focused on spending. Some focused on the "right-wing extremists".

I even saw a CNN reporter get snippy and then down-right rude with a person and then claim the gathering was anti-government, anti-CNN.

you can google the CNN interviews

It was really interesting to watch the dynamics of the right wing groups. I laughed at an interview in Denver. One guy said there reason their numbers were low was because most "right-wing" people were still at work.

I don't know, it is a shame when perfectly good poeple get organized loosely and try to stand on one issue. I really think more planning and structure was needed for the voice to be a strong one.

[Handballer]

Yesterday while I was being chauffeured around Anchorage I saw many folks (100 or so) holding signs signs and speaking. The event was well covered by radio and TV reporters. It was civil.

Did you see this: http://parodyandson.blogspot.com (http://parodyandson.blogspot.com/) :D

[tsptalk]

IMO..these modern day tea party goers are idiots..they are fashioning these demonstrations after the famous "Boston Tea Party"..and the point of that historic Boston harbor uprising, was because of taxation without representation...I fail to see the parallel with these morons picketing just to bitch and show their asses in public...
I couldn't disagree more. Taxes are out of control and they appear to be going higher. I did my taxes this week and between state and Fed, my wife and I, who make a very modest living, as I assume most of you gov't employees do, paid over $40K in taxes in 2008. Of the money I keep, I then pay another 7% sales tax on any of it that I spend. Then there's property taxes, obscure taxes on utility and phone bills, registration fees for vehicles, licensing fees for everything, etc., etc. You would think enough is enough, but apparent it is never enough.

From what I understand, somewhere in the neighborhood of 42% of Americans do not pay any federal income tax. In fact, many of them get earned income credit which means they not only don't pay income tax, but they actually get money from the government (negative tax).

Taxes are a necessary evil, I understand that, but when you see billions being thrown around haphazardly the way they have been, particularly in the last year or two, I don't believe my $40K plus is being spent very effectively. Neither is the $855K that Obama had to pay in '08.

I did not go to a tea party, but I guess you can label me an idiot too because I believe that is what these people are trying to say. If you don't want to call it a tea party, maybe we can call it a man made disaster. :)

[nnuut]

YES, YES TAXES are out of control and going higher. One thing I don't understand is the PORK thing. Why are we all paying such high Federal Taxes on things that the STATES should receive the revenue directly from the residents of the state? I can see interstate highways, Federal Parks and others that should be funded by the federal government. The state representatives have to compete for the tax money using the wonderful EARMARK or PORK system to get funds that the states should have received in the first place. The poor folks in Mississippi and Alabama for instance are paying taxes for projects that happen in California and New York. Now the Administration wants a bigger piece of the pie so they can use it as leverage to control the states. Tax reform is definitely needed, but we should be careful just who is doing the reforming.:cool:

[Buster]

I couldn't disagree more.
I did not go to a tea party, but I guess you can label me an idiot too because I believe that is what these people are trying to say. If you don't want to call it a tea party, maybe we can call it a man made disaster. :)So you don't have representation?..Is that what you and the other idiots are saying?..Common Tom...
On the bright side of your arguement, At least you won't have a sunburn on your bare ass....:D

If people want something to be outraged about, then they should complain that New Orleans was rebuilt in the same damn place below sea level..Now that was dumb.

[wv-girl]

So you don't have representation?..Is that what you and the other idiots are saying?..Common Tom...
On the bright side of your arguement, At least you won't have a sunburn on your bare ass....:D

So you call passing a stimulus package worth billions without reading it representation?
C'mon Buster, if you want to have a debate, then educate yourself on all of the issues that the 'tea parties' stand for. And then tell those that don't agree with you exactly why you have your opinions. Name-calling only shows your ignorance and will get you no-where.

What makes this country great is defending the right to have an opinion, whether or not anyone agrees with them.

[budnipper1]

Yeah, the original Tea Party was about taxation. The new tea party movement is about that and much more. Santilli used the term in his rant and I thought everybody on this board knew about that, including Buster. Being an active tea party supporter is just another option some of us are using to publicly show our opposition to how the government has mishandled the economic disaster. Nobody I know believes that the tea parties will magically change the direction in which our government is headed, but this form of protest will get the attention of many people who normally don't pay attention to what's going around them. It also applies pressure to the media to either report that a lot of people are unhappy about these issues, or it forces them to attempt to spin the facts with inaccurate reports about the number of people supporting the protests. Either way, it gets the fact that many people are not content to let Washington ruin the country on the front page of almost every newspaper in the U.S.

I can write letters to my congressmen and representatives until I get hand cramps, but what results can I expect to get from a few letters, other than them getting quick-scanned and then immediately tossed into a trash can? It's harder to ignore that bunch of loud-mouthed, sign-toting, horn-blowing "idiots" like me who don't mind letting people know that they are pissed off.

Franklin "tea party" draws thousands
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090416/COUNTY09/90416019 (http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090416/COUNTY09/90416019)

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10190311 (http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10190311)
Thousand Protest Govt. Debt During Tea Party

[Buster]

So you call passing a stimulus package worth billions without reading it representation?
C'mon Buster, if you want to have a debate, then educate yourself on all of the issues that the 'tea parties' stand for. And then tell those that don't agree with you exactly why you have your opinions. Name-calling only shows your ignorance and will get you no-where.

What makes this country great is defending the right to have an opinion, whether or not anyone agrees with them.
Apples and oranges sweetheart..And I wasn't calling Tom or anyone names..Only using metaphors, But I guess calling me ignorant is not name calling or a personal attack, huh?.....and Since when did Tom or anyone here call on you to defend them?

[nnuut]

:suspicious:

[budnipper1]

Riled Tea Partiers rip government spending
3,000 protest in Nashville
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090416/NEWS0201/904160364/1009/NEWS (http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090416/NEWS0201/904160364/1009/NEWS)

The rally was reminiscent of previously successful efforts to battle state income tax proposals. Attendees encouraged passersby to blow their horns as they passed the Capitol, at times drowning out speakers like conservative radio hosts Steve Gill and Phil Valentine.
"I hate socialism," Valentine said. "I hate people stealing my money and blowing it."
Protesters carried signs that ranged from attacks on Obama and Congress to general statements about spending and taxes.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester said he was puzzled over the crowd's claims of over-taxation, given the payroll and first-time homebuyer tax credits that were recently passed.

[budnipper1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJYMnVVVi7w&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Eph p%3Fref%3Dhome&feature=player_embedded

[tsptalk]

So you don't have representation?..Is that what you and the other idiots are saying?..Common Tom...
I guess I don't know what your argument is. I think the reasons for the protests are obvious. Is it because you don't want it to be called a tea party? I have no comeback for that. Call it whatever you'd like.

[Frixxxx]

:suspicious:Buster,

Last night when I finished paying my taxes, (Yes, I paid) total = 36,000 dollars (fed). I looked at my two kids paying for themselves to go to school, looked at my ten year old car in the garage, bounced through the potholes on my street, paid my property taxes on my house, and I thought: Wow I paid almost $50,000 in taxes (property, sales, and miscellaneous) and I only had $92,000 taxable income last year....I am a reservist which serves as a "part time" salary and my wife can't work. I thought, interesting that I pay my taxes and I work, but I can't afford to send my own kids to college. They don't qualify for Pell grants nor any other assistance. I "make too much". I can't drive down a smoooth street, but I pay my property tax on time. I can't get the rewards that other people get, I can't get the free money others get, BUT I CAN GET TAXED TO SUPPORT THOSE THAT DON'T WORK, REFUSE TO DEFEND THEIR COUNTRY, AND CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH GOVERNMENT.

I HAVE NOT EVEN MENTIONED MY POLITICAL PARTY, BUT GOD BLESS BROTHER, DON"T SPLIT HAIRS HERE. DON"T BELITTLE EVERYONE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH ON THIS BOARD JUST TO BE A LITTLE ANTOGONISTIC.

My problem is that I want accountability and I can't get any. No one can tell me why I have to pay taxes to fund for college funds my kids can't take advantage of. TAXES SHOULD BENEFIT EVERYONE. Most of the people who receive my money don't exactly have to be numbered and counted. And why do we "give" money for college and support? Why don't we just loan it and charge back what people use it for?

My Tea Party is about accountability, NOT THE TAXES!!

[CountryBoy]

Ditto Frixxxx, accountability. Folks tend to forget that our nimrods in Congess passed the Stimulus package without even reading it. I guess that'll work for the socialists, but not for me. As for the tea parties, we gotta start somewhere. I thought they are a good start and I was amazed that bHo said he wasn't even aware of the rallies. Maybe someone should remind him he's an American :rolleyes: and not be so damn subserviant to the Saudis (yes he bowed!!!) and the rest of the world.

I guess that should tell ya what he thinks of us Americans, especially on his recent "Apologize for America Tour". Yeah, we've made our mistakes, but dad burn it, we've done the heavy lifting for the last 100 years and I'm sick and tired of bHo, our liberals and the rest of the world always blaming America.

What has happened to free speech and being tolerant of other ideas, I guess if your ideas dovetail with the libs it'll be tolerated and who the heck was that CNN reporter? What a airhead.

CB
Reporting from north of the Mason Dixon line, training in the Live Free or Die State. Kinda apropro. :D

[Steadygain]

:suspicious:Buster,

Frixxxx, My Brother and Friend

Please forgive me for interjecting. Was going to stay out of this altogether because I'm not into the drama and stuff and come around once in awhile to see what's happening.

FIRST - I honestly don't think Buster meant to create such a stir with what he expressed. I took his comment to mainly reflect he thought the 'Tea Parties' were pretty much a waste of time - and it was essentially a lot of grumblers getting together to grumble and complain - and that he thought 'why waste the time and effort' when you could do something better with your life and time.

Somehow in my naive little mind - I actually thought many would reflect the same sentiments. :laugh:

Last night when I finished paying my taxes, (Yes, I paid) total = 36,000 dollars (fed). I looked at my two kids paying for themselves to go to school, looked at my ten year old car in the garage, bounced through the potholes on my street, paid my property taxes on my house, and I thought: Wow I paid almost $50,000 in taxes (property, sales, and miscellaneous) and I only had $92,000 taxable income last year....I am a reservist which serves as a "part time" salary and my wife can't work.

I honestly feel for you - as I love you and admire you so much. It's honestly a terrible shame that someone who lives the life you live and has the convictions and beliefs you represent - has gotten such a bad deal financially. I all the more tie this into the value of your house and the cost of living where you are...

I'm sorry Frixxx and I wish there was something I could do to change it.

But for just a moment let me throw something out here. I know your wife can't work and remember everything about her condition. And I remember your kids too - and the cruise. SO HERE FOR JUST A SECOND REMEMBER WHAT YOUR WIFE AND KIDS HAVE - They have you and there is no one that could ever love your wife the way you love her and do all the things you do. So Frixxxx - as tough as things are - life is more than money and what you do provide is way beyond what many wifes and children ever get.

I thought, interesting that I pay my taxes and I work, but I can't afford to send my own kids to college. Your taxable income is more than mine and I barely pay for their college; but then we had to sacrifice many things in order to do it. They don't qualify for Pell grants nor any other assistance. I "make too much". I can relate to that my friend...

I can't drive down a smoooth street, but I pay my property tax on time.
We pay on time because it's the right thing to do - and in many ways it may seem unfair - the responsible have to do their part.

I can't get the rewards that other people get,
You probably could get 'the rewards' - but you'd have to immensely lower your standards to do it. Your a man of GREAT integrity Frixxxx and if I didn't know you as I do - I wouldn't bother.

I can't get the free money others get,
Please see my last message...:)

BUT I CAN GET TAXED TO SUPPORT THOSE THAT DON'T WORK, REFUSE TO DEFEND THEIR COUNTRY, AND CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH GOVERNMENT.
And this is NOT Buster - my friend - and I honestly know exactly how you feel as I have expressed the same sentiments many times before.

It's the SYSTEM - and what continues to be in place and what will likely remain in place for the duration of our lives. Many simply see what is available to them and know they have the right to take advantage of is being offered. After my conflict with Handballer I've finally decided it's no longer worth the energy to take a stand; as the System offered it and it's their for the taking.

Again my friend - please believe that I fully understand your frustrations with working as hard as you do - doing the right thing day in and day out and getting 'screwed' over and over. BUT REMEMBER MY BROTHER - we are only here for a moment and you know better than anyone else I know - that the Glory you will receive through eternity is so far beyond any brief difficulty here.

I HAVE NOT EVEN MENTIONED MY POLITICAL PARTY,
All of it is pretty much garbage - it honestly makes no difference what party your fond of (or attached to).

BUT GOD BLESS BROTHER, DON"T SPLIT HAIRS HERE. DON"T BELITTLE EVERYONE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH ON THIS BOARD JUST TO BE A LITTLE ANTOGONISTIC.

My problem is that I want accountability and I can't get any.
No your problem is YOU expect this world to reward you for the example you set and the 'outstanding lifestyle' you hold to. Here I would say don't concern yourself with the treasures that will mold and rust - but remember the 'REAL TREASURE' because there is no way to avoid 'accountability' and you are one of the 'richest friends' I've ever met.

Buster is one of us my friend - he really is ;)

No one can tell me why I have to pay taxes to fund for college funds my kids can't take advantage of. Is is a corrupt world we live in and many things designed for good - have been ruined - and the mindset of doing less and taking more has dominated everything.

TAXES SHOULD BENEFIT EVERYONE. Most of the people who receive my money don't exactly have to be numbered and counted. And why do we "give" money for college and support? Why don't we just loan it and charge back what people use it for?

My Tea Party is about accountability, NOT THE TAXES!!

Well Eric - I really do understand your frustrations - especially with having to pay all those taxes yesterday; so it's like a huge fresh wound that hasn't had time to heal.

So once again - I would say look at what you do have - FIRST LOOK AT WHO YOU ARE. You're a wonderful man - with a very good heart and you should be very proud of the life you live. Look at your wife and the way you love her and care for her - when many men would have abandoned her. Look at Nina and how she worships you. Look at who your children are and what they carry to the world.

Anyway - lastly you have me and many others here and outside of this MB that respect you immensely for who you are and all you do.

[Callme_CO]

Now the Administration wants a bigger piece of the pie so they can use it as leverage to control the states. Tax reform is definitely needed, but we should be careful just who is doing the reforming.:cool:

NNuut has a point there. People seem to forget that the government works for us not the other way around. States fought a war back in the 1800's over this very issue....STATE Rights!!!! Anybody who believes we fought that for slavery needs to go back to school. And in the end we ended up given our state rights up to the Feds. Our social programs should be run by states, churches and the public. Not the federal government. We are headed in a very bad direction. Either collapse or socialism. Soon the government will tell you what job to get and what to do with your money. or have they yet?


From what I understand, somewhere in the neighborhood of 42% of Americans do not pay any federal income tax. In fact, many of them get earned income credit which means they not only don't pay income tax, but they actually get money from the government (negative tax).

This is part of our problem. I firmly believe you shouldn't get a refund if you didn't put anything in, in the first place. The few that do pay taxes are having more and more weight thrown on their sholders. One day the back will break and all will suffer. I've heard that the average middle class worker doesn't even start earning a cent till june. That all before that will go to taxes. THAT'S JUST CRAZY!!!!

[Frixxxx]

Ditto Frixxxx, accountability. :D

Thanks bro

Well Eric - I really do understand your frustrations - especially with having to pay all those taxes yesterday:cool:; so it's like a huge fresh wound that hasn't had time to heal.

Thanks Steady!!!

Oh, I love Buster to death (Sorry Buster), My anger is more pointed toward those who deserve less than what they get.

Gathering to express our frustrations "is" the point here. Let those who have a gripe announce it. They called it a Tea Party, because it closely resembled to them the situation at hand.

Symbolism helps emphasize....

Anyway, Sorry Again Buster and thanks steady for bringing a cool head to a hot topic.

[Callme_CO]

Here is a question?

If you are being taxed to death and not getting the proper representation isn't that something to fight for?

[James48843]

Here is a question?

If you are being taxed to death and not getting the proper representation isn't that something to fight for?

At the ballot box- yes.

I love America.

[James48843]

I haven't seen any threads created on the recent Tea Parties.

What did you feel about them?

Actually, I find it pretty humorous. I saw a lot of pre-event hype on Fox, a lot of pre-event hype on local blogs and talk radio, and the most that came out in my state was 4,000 at the state capitol. Despite having two months head start, and coverage on the state's largest clear-channel radio station, all they could muster up was 4K people. I went to a march here four years ago, marching to protest cuts in education dollars- on three weeks notice, no radio, no advance TV, and we got 13,000 people who showed up.

I guess it is humorous to me because even with all that publicity, the crowd here all had different signs and messages- hard to tell exactly who was ticked off about what.



Will they have a positive, negative, or little to no affect?

I always consider it a great postive when people turn out for a rally. It gets them off their rear ends, off the computer keyboard, and out for something they can stand up for. THAT is what is great about American.

What did you think of the media coverage?
etc....

Media coverage was very predictable. All the right-leaning stations loved it and played it up for hours on end. All the left-leaning media poo-pooed it, and pointed out that it really wasn't that large a crowd anyway.

But, for those who marched for the first time, it was a great exercise in Democracy. The ones who have been out of power for the last decade are finally in power, and the ones in power had been the ones marching, without the benefit of the media blitz in advance, for the years before.

Kind of "turnabout is fair play". I love seeing democracy in action.


I realize most right of center will likely have more positive views, and left of center probably more negative. If that assuption is wrong, let us know why.


Everyone in our nation gains when people make their views known. It reinforces what a great nation we have. Regardless of the viewpoint- it is always wonderful to see people express themselves. That's what I love about my America.

:D

[squalebear]

Here is a question?

If you are being taxed to death and not getting the proper representation isn't that something to fight for?

I believe we are being taxed with more representation then ever before.
Its the fact of what we are paying for, which throws me in a tizzy. :mad:
Tea Parties always pop up during Tax Time, but this year HAS been special.
I'm sure I don't have to post all the things our tax dollars are going to.
Besides, I'm trying to find my CHI. :nuts: Has anyone seen it laying around ! :D

[Callme_CO]

At the ballot box- yes.

I love America.


Of course i wouldn't suggest any other way. :)

[Buster]

Okay..now that everyone got a little red American blood flowing..:D.

No, I stirred the pot on purposehttp://www.hummeraddicts.com/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/laughing7.gif... but the rest of what you said Steady my ole buddy, you are Spot On
FIRST - I honestly don't think Buster meant to create such a stir with what he expressed. I took his comment to mainly reflect he thought the 'Tea Parties' were pretty much a waste of time - and it was essentially a lot of grumblers getting together to grumble and complain - and that he thought 'why waste the time and effort' when you could do something better with your life and time.

Somehow in my naive little mind - I actually thought many would reflect the same sentiments.

Hey Frixxx..No sweat buddy.
In this exercise, you and the others brought to light the real issue at hand and the way a lot of the conservatives feel about the way the tax laws are and how the money is parceled out, ..Got some good discussion going though..hehehe, some eye poking, and some back slapping too...But there is nothing new here, just bigger numbers all at once..Sticker Shock and now you want a change.. (Re: Steady's quote above)...Calling it a Tea Party is a misnomer..But the bottom line is this..CALL, WRITE, TEXT, your REPRESENTATIVES <---This is really the key word that makes Tea Party thing send a wrong message)..This is the only intelligent way to be heard and be on record to get change or reform in the way Taxing and dispersal of said taxes are done.

Okay Guys and Gals..Sorry if I pissed anyone off..my apologies if I did...Sorry, nothing personal.;)

Y'all know me, I don't follow the main stream..I take the underdog side on every issue, just to have balance. I think of you all as my Brothers and Sisterbabes and sometimes shaking the bunk bed is healthy....(I do not know what that means):D..But I will refrain from kicking the bee's nest again..

Group Hug..Peace

[squalebear]

Anyone find my CHI yet ? :nuts:

[budnipper1]

anyone find my chi yet ? :nuts:
here it is!

6198



http://www.biom.net/meridians.htm (http://www.biom.net/meridians.htm)

[squalebear]

Thanks Bud, I almost forgot what I was looking for ! Hummmmmmmmm ! :D

[Buster]

Coincidentally enough or perhaps ironically..You can find your Chi link here from Bud's link..
http://www.biom.net/dojo.php/teahouse/