A Tea Party with krumpets and scones, some honey. . .

The Tea Party movement struck with protests in 2009 against government spending, rises in the debt of the United States and government spending and proposed tax increases.  This movement is often associated with the rich and conservatives.  They are the bane of liberals and the 99% movements.  By the 2010 mideterm elections many Tea Party associated Republicans won seats in Congress.  Their ideas are not new.  I would even agree with some of their goals, particularly reducing government spending.  Whether one agrees or disagrees with them however, I believe either openly or secretly we as Americans need them to succeed, but for different reasons.

The United States is quickly becoming the place where democracy has gone to die.  This is not Obama bashing or Conservative bashing.  The truth of the matter is that we have two political parties to choose from.  When forced to choose the lesser of the two evils, you really have no choice at all.  The American political system has become very polarized.  Their is no compromise.  It is two parties pushing thier will on the people they are representing.  The problem with this is the people they are representing don't necessarily agree with their representatives.

The success of the Tea Party as a legitimate option would have meant the opening to more political parties being successful, thus taking away control of a two party system.  Citizens of the United States would be able to vote for candidates who more accurately aligns with their political beliefs.  This will force representatives to work together since their would be no clear majority.

Where the Tea Party steered off course for this was allowing themselves to become affiliated with a major political party instead of maintaining their distance from one part of the problem  They killed their own potential success in favor of trying to get their candidates elected right away.  For this reason the tea party is known as the extreme wing of the Republican Party.


What I believe would be considered a utopian form of government that could never exist.  What I believe is that there are certain roles the government should play and roles the people should play.  What I believe is that no one has gotten government right.  What I believe is that no one will as long as people are involved.

The United States claims to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people.  The Preamble to our Constitution starts with “We the people…” Where are the people?  We elect representatives to serve on our behalf.  What are they doing for us.  They spend our money on projects that they have no idea how they are going to pay for them.  They vote along party lines.  Maybe I am for the war in Iraq, but I want healthcare too!  No one asks me what I want.  They assume that because they were elected by two percentage points they represent how I feel.  They don’t.  We need term limits on legislators.  They get comfortable, accept bribes and think because of their “power” that they can sleep with whomever they want.

The United States Congress passed the TARP Act and funneled money into the automobile industry.  I agree we can’t let these industries collapse, but what is being done to stop the practices that caused this.  CEO pay and bonuses are out of control.  Union agreements have made it so the person who screws the antennae on a car makes $25 an hour and retires with pay at the same rate they were making when they were employed.  Why is this necessary?

The healthcare debate is everywhere I turn.  Do we need to make it affordable? Yes!  Do we need to reign in the insurance companies?  Yes!  Are there other issues not being addressed?  Yes!  People need to take responsibility for their own actions.  Wash your hands, get a check-up, don’t have kids you can’t afford.  Malpractice lawsuits need to be regulated.  Doctors charge so much because they need the insurance.  Let Canadian pharmaceutical companies sell drugs in the United States.  Competition brings down pricing.

We have an illegal immigration problem in the United States.  Everyone complains that it is costing taxpayers billions of dollars.  Why not get rid of the income tax and charge a national sales tax?  Everyone needs to buy items like food and clothing.  Not everyone pays income tax.  The money won’t come from large purchases of houses or boats, but come from people who need their Starbucks fix or the Egg McMuffin everyday.  With a national sales tax, everyone is paying into the system.

I mentioned that I want a government that does not or cannot exist.  It is a carefully balanced recipe.  I want a little Republican that will protect me from outside invaders and promote a Capitalist economy.  I want a dab of Democrat that look out for those that can’t fend for themselves.  I want a touch of Socialism that provides some services and limits the greed of corporate America.  Add a smidge of  Libertarian that knows when to stop meddling in my personal life.  Season it with a little of the Whig party that will protect my economy.  Finally top it with a party that truly represents what it is like to be an American without direct power in what the Founding Fathers and the Ancient Athenians liked to call Democracy.

Love me, hate me, everyone is entitled to my opinion!