Two weeks ago while observing some of the Tea Party Convention, I must admit I cannot understand some of the stuff that was being presented, revealed or loosely debated. Let me go on to say, that throughout the history of the United States, groups have come together to criticize government performance, Presidential policies and politicians/political indiscretions. I get this. Often within these assessments are personal attacks, accusations and sometimes things so far-fetched that you become radical in your approach. Radical can be a good thing as long as there are firm solutions being sought, negotiated and most importantly, that even though I may not participate or agree with your methods, the general masses at large can in some way get what you are trying to convey.
With that being said, someone explain to me what is meant by "We want our country back!" I mean I could really quantify this statement if it were Native Americans saying this, but at best, it was coming from folks who may not really understood what that means. Really if you want your country back, maybe they should raise about two trillion dollars and pay off the Chinese government. Folks should've had a tea party over thirty years ago if they are complaining about government involvement.
I found out there are 14 different national sects of the Tea Party movement. Lord knows how many local "clubs" there are. We, as Americans, tend to duplicate whatever we believe is popular.
I heard a lot of talk about going back to real conservatism -- the kind our founding fathers subscribed to. Ah, excuse me I was taught that the Revolutionary War was anything but conservative. And let's get real here, what are we trying to conserve in a capitalistic society? Is it oil, or another fossil fuel, healthcare, environment or even the middle class? In today's world what is really "the American Way?"
I suggested last week that there were other issues that are just as important to Americans as some of the generalizations that were being made. As I said, I might be able to understand more if I heard more solutions. I mean there have been groups in the past with radical methods and yet grassroots beginnings. I know of one group whose humble beginnings were the result of people getting together over an issue of safety at an intersection in their neighborhood. The placing of a traffic light blossomed into a movement nationwide that created a model that is now our present daycare and Head Start systems.
Finally, if so many people are so frustrated with this government and this President, why is it that the people I saw at this event did not represent a cross-section of the country? Why was not the plight of a Hispanic explored or the plight of millions of Americans without healthcare. Why did they not discuss the rise in domestic terrorism? Many of these folks profess a belief in Christianity, but I don't hear anything about saving souls. I really need help here.
Again, I get dissention and protest. I understand frustration and even despair. What I don't understand when things are said and done as if they are the only Americans. I just hope something positive can come from it. With all the negative things one can mention about the civil rights era, no one can deny some of the positive results that are still being realized today from that movement. These same results are enjoyed by not just one group, but all Americans.
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