Tea Party Platform

[tyr_13]

After trying to read through some of the recent threads on the 'Tea Party' (aka, tea baggers), I became more confused. I'm sure there is a useful discussion to be had somewhere in there, but it's difficult to find where.

What is the 'Tea Party Movement' platform? As far as I was able to tell before, the tea party platform was 'democrats and Obama specifically are bad.'

After some research, I'm beginning to understand that I was fairly right with what their unifying ideology actually is. From reading some of the local tea party pages, it seems that they are basically libertarian, except for when it comes to gay rights, abortion, and religious rights. They call for a lot of the classic libertarian things, like calling for the withdrawal of all US troops from all foreign countries (including allies).

But then I found out that there seem to be several competing tea parties! Oh the joy. For some reason some cites list the Bill of Rights as their platform.

teapartyrevolution.com actually states that the platform is currently being 'refined'. They don't know what they're on about either.

It seems that they do want to reverse Roe vs Wade, are against environmental reform, secure the boarders, education reform, energy indepedence, and something about the 10th amendment. (http://www2.teapartyrevolution.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8) But then it only seems that way. After some more reading, it turns out that they don't even agree on those. Actually it does seem they agree on those, but don't agree they should be in the platform.

Can anyone sort this out? So far, all I'm left with is, 'pick and choose libertarianism and Dems are bad.'

[Thunder]

Platform #1.

-it shall be a violation to bring Peppermint tea, to a Tea Party event, for Peppermint tea..is not really tea.

:)

[Policenaut]

It seems to broadly be a number of R social stances and Libertarian domestic and foreign policy ideas with free market economics/deregulation. From what I have seen it looks like the second coming of the Ron Paul revolution. If Ron Paul wasn't so old he could almost be the poster child for the TP. If they start talking about the gold standard then we know Paul is secretly pulling the strings.

[GreyArea]

...it seems that they are basically libertarian, except for when it comes to gay rights, abortion, and religious rights.
I wouldn't say they are libertarians at all. They are better described as right-wing populists: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/populism-its-all-right-wing-rage-the

If you are looking for a platform, gaze in horror at the 1984 Populist Party's platform. (This party name is periodically revived by new groups, but doesn't have too much historical continuity.) You can read the platform at Google Books, in the online pages of Extremism in America: a reader by Lyman Tower Sargent, pages 18-23. It has many similarities to what the Teabaggers are saying, including the weird juxtapositions that are confusing you.

In this case, the populists are not like libertarians because the former like tariffs and oppose gay rights. These planks might not seem to make sense together, but for the kinds of people who still want to live in the 1950's/1850's, both appeal to their sense of future shock.

You'll find similar beliefs in the Constitution Party, although they have a more explicitly Christian emphasis.

[cornsail]

It seems very despotic what with Earl Gray and all.

[tyr_13]

I wouldn't say they are libertarians at all. They are better described as right-wing populists: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/populism-its-all-right-wing-rage-the

If you are looking for a platform, gaze in horror at the 1984 Populist Party's platform. (This party name is periodically revived by new groups, but doesn't have too much historical continuity.) You can read the platform at Google Books, in the online pages of Extremism in America: a reader by Lyman Tower Sargent, pages 18-23. It has many similarities to what the Teabaggers are saying, including the weird juxtapositions that are confusing you.

In this case, the populists are not like libertarians because the former like tariffs and oppose gay rights. These planks might not seem to make sense together, but for the kinds of people who still want to live in the 1950's/1850's, both appeal to their sense of future shock.

You'll find similar beliefs in the Constitution Party, although they have a more explicitly Christian emphasis.

It seems that I was conflating a survey on how people in Boston's Tea Party self identified with being what they actually were. It's a very stupid, basic mistake on my part.

The Constitution Party is pretty scary, and when a group has a weasel word as it's name, you know you're in for some fun. For those unfamiliar, the 'Constitution' party would be better named the 'anti-Constitution' party.

For the Tea Party I'm still left with the platform of, 'conservatives who hate Obama' more than anything else. It's mighty confusing, but then again, I just started more research into Beck's part in this all. :boggled:

[Vorticity]

Platform #1.

-it shall be a violation to bring Peppermint tea, to a Tea Party event, for Peppermint tea..is not really tea.

:)

Platform, the Second:

Big-Endians to be delivered a right flogging.

[headscratcher4]

Platform, the third: the third plank of the platform is always to follow the secend plank but precede the fourth plank.

[ponderingturtle]

So which rule(s) are "No Poofters"?

[JoeTheJuggler]

From what I've read, it's very similar to Gingrich's "Contract with America".

[headscratcher4]

From what I've read, it's very similar to Gingrich's "Contract with America".


Could be wrong, but I believe it is "poofters".

[Vorticity]

Platform, the third: the third plank of the platform is always to follow the secend plank but precede the fourth plank.

...unless you've got a younger brother who is going out this weekend as the guest of another boy, in which case, collect his note before lunch, put it in your letter after you've had your hair cut, and make sure he moves your third plank down onto the fourth plank for you.

[Vorticity]

So which rule(s) are "No Poofers"?

Also: Where do the Jews fit in?

It's not the tenets of a screwball quasi-Libertarian cabal without excessive verbiage about the Jews.

Ah, hang on, there it is:


Platform, the Fourth:

The Jews? Right out.

[brodski]

Here is their party anthem eELH0ivexKA

[ponderingturtle]

Could be wrong, but I believe it is "poofters".

Damn it, I looked it up and then still mistyped it.

[JoeTheJuggler]

From what I've read, it's very similar to Gingrich's "Contract with America".
Could be wrong, but I believe it is "poofters".

I think maybe you quoted the wrong post.

[headscratcher4]

My bad...

[cwalner]

So which rule(s) are "No Poofters"?

I'll jump ahead because I am impatiant.

Plank the Sixth. There shall be no 'Plank the Sixth'

[cwalner]

Can anybody confirm this.

I have heard that the 'Tea Party' has strong demographic support amongst females aged 4-12.

[Vorticity]

Can anybody confirm this.

I have heard that the 'Tea Party' has strong demographic support amongst females aged 4-12.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/4514b143e8c671e9.jpg

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time... with my wee-wee. Wake up sheeple!"

[commandlinegamer]

For a speciality tea, I would recommend Twinings Chai. For branded, regular black tea, Punjana and Nambarrie are good brews.

Oh, you were talking politics. Sorry: can't help you there.

[tyr_13]

For a speciality tea, I would recommend Twinings Chai. For branded, regular black tea, Punjana and Nambarrie are good brews.

Oh, you were talking politics. Sorry: can't help you there.

Oh no, I know a bit about the rules of real tea parties! Don't burn the tomo sencha, handled cups are for black teas, if someone hates tea give them chai...

It's the politics I can't understand.

[geni]

The tes party mob were originaly manufactured to kill healthcare reform. It is to be expected that beyond that their idiology will be rather defuse.

[The Mutha]

What are those of us who are allergic to tea to do?

[tyr_13]

What are those of us who are allergic to tea to do?

If you are actually allergic to the tea tree leaves themselves, and not common drying or preserving agents, then we have this class of teas called 'herbal' teas. The contain no teas, don't taste like tea, have few if any of the benefits of tea, taste terrible in general, but you can have them. 'Herbal' is a nice way of saying 'isn't anything like'.

Honestly though, pine needle 'tea' and other straight brews (such as golden rod and a few other green plants) can approximate a tea taste or just be good in their own rights. If you're really interested I have some links somewhere I can dig up.

[cwalner]

If you are actually allergic to the tea tree leaves themselves, and not common drying or preserving agents, then we have this class of teas called 'herbal' teas. The contain no teas, don't taste like tea, have few if any of the benefits of tea, taste terrible in general, but you can have them. 'Herbal' is a nice way of saying 'isn't anything like'.

commonly mislabled as 'Tea' in vending machines made by the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation.

[The Mutha]

I'm allergic to the tea leaves themselves... Herbal teas are for wimps. :p Give me Coke Classic any day! Maybe I'll start a soda/pop/coke party... In the words of Emily Latella "it could happen!"

[fishbob]

the 'Tea Party' (aka, tea baggers),

. . . . I'm sure there is a useful discussion to be had somewhere in there . . . .

Nope. Your assurance would be misplaced.
As far as I can tell, the tea baggers are just incoherently mad about stuff. Suckered in, then disappointed by the religious right / conservative takeover of the Republicans, they are not quite foaming-at-the-mouth mad yet, but well on their way.

[commandlinegamer]

As far as I can tell, the tea baggers are just incoherently mad about stuff. Suckered in, then disappointed by the religious right / conservative takeover of the Republicans, they are not quite foaming-at-the-mouth mad yet, but well on their way.

You could do worse than point such people in this direction.

http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/

[MattusMaximus]

Nope. Your assurance would be misplaced.
As far as I can tell, the tea baggers are just incoherently mad about stuff. Suckered in, then disappointed by the religious right / conservative takeover of the Republicans, they are not quite foaming-at-the-mouth mad yet, but well on their way.

I think what is interesting is how these Tea Party nutbags are attempting to take over the structure of the GOP and how the GOP establishment is fighting to keep the "big tent" idea alive. This is really all going to play out in the GOP primaries in the spring, where a number of TP-supported candidates are going up against more moderate candidates supported by the GOP establishment - a perfect example is what's happening in the Florida Senate race.

It'll really be interesting to see what happens in those races where the TP-candidate loses in the GOP primary. My guess is that in at least a few cases the TP-er will run in the general election as an independent, much to the chagrin of the GOP.

[Upchurch]

I think maybe you quoted the wrong post.
I thought it was a commentary on Gingrich

[BenBurch]

I remember fondly when a Tea Party was a civilized thing with white tablecloths, china cups, and buttered scones.

[Praktik]

I think what is interesting is how these Tea Party nutbags are attempting to take over the structure of the GOP and how the GOP establishment is fighting to keep the "big tent" idea alive. This is really all going to play out in the GOP primaries in the spring, where a number of TP-supported candidates are going up against more moderate candidates supported by the GOP establishment - a perfect example is what's happening in the Florida Senate race.

It'll really be interesting to see what happens in those races where the TP-candidate loses in the GOP primary. My guess is that in at least a few cases the TP-er will run in the general election as an independent, much to the chagrin of the GOP.

My lord, as if "teabaggers" wasn't great enough already the acronym "TP" also has its humorous connotations.

Really unfortunate name for the movement, but then again - TP is pretty useful for other kinds of "movements" so maybe it'll work out for 'em...

SHAZAM!!

[quixotecoyote]

You could do worse than point such people in this direction.

http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/

My antivirus software objects to this site.

[dudalb]

I think what is interesting is how these Tea Party nutbags are attempting to take over the structure of the GOP and how the GOP establishment is fighting to keep the "big tent" idea alive. This is really all going to play out in the GOP primaries in the spring, where a number of TP-supported candidates are going up against more moderate candidates supported by the GOP establishment - a perfect example is what's happening in the Florida Senate race.

It'll really be interesting to see what happens in those races where the TP-candidate loses in the GOP primary. My guess is that in at least a few cases the TP-er will run in the general election as an independent, much to the chagrin of the GOP.

If the TPers do manage to take over the GOP, look for a LOT of Big Contributors to stop contributing. A number of the most prominent Tea Baggers are ranting about the evils of Bankers and Wall Streetas well as Govenrment, and that is not going to thrill a lot of Big Time contributors. They will figure the Baggers are just plain crazy, and the Democrats will be easier to deal with.

[tyr_13]

They will figure the Baggers are just plain crazy,...

I'm thinking they would be right. :p

I don't really want to label a political movement like that, because I assumed there was a kind of rational or logic that was at least internally consistent, but I can't find it.

[daenku32]

Can anyone sort this out? So far, all I'm left with is, 'pick and choose libertarianism and Dems are bad.'

The tea party movement as a whole is bunch of Republican discontents who are trying hard to reframe their old Republican rhetoric so that it has at least some internally consistent logic (eg. small non-invasive government & big military & secure borders & bans on gay marriage).

Since such a task is impossible, they have to start dropping some old GOP planks but they cannot agree on which ones should go.

[Soseki]

Platform #1.

-it shall be a violation to bring Peppermint tea, to a Tea Party event, for Peppermint tea..is not really tea.

:)

But then, as anarchists everywhere have long known, proper tea is theft.

[brodski]

But then, as anarchists everywhere have long known, proper tea is theft.

Oh dear, are you proud, hon?

[Dr Adequate]

Oh dear, are you proud, hon? This is a joke of such scintillating brilliance that only I could have thought of it (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=4458377).

[T.A.M.]

The tea party movement as a whole is bunch of Republican discontents who are trying hard to reframe their old Republican rhetoric so that it has at least some internally consistent logic (eg. small non-invasive government & big military & secure borders & bans on gay marriage).

Since such a task is impossible, they have to start dropping some old GOP planks but they cannot agree on which ones should go.

I think it is more then that.

It is a fear driven (and in some cases Racist Driven) branch of GOP extremists which is loud and media attention grabbing, and that is now being used by the soulless and empty members of the GOP elected to office, as they have nothing more to offer or to help them return to power.

But that is my bias left wing opinion.

TAM:)