The tea party movement, simply put, is a group of extremist Republicans. Part of the Republican policy are tax cuts. Because Obama is a Democrat, he supports taxing to increase federal funds for the military, welfare, social services, and just about anything else. The idea of the tea party goes back to Revolutionary times, when early settlers held the Boston Tea Party to protest the high tea tax set by the British. So now, current Republicans protest, calling themselves a tea party, against taxes.

Thanks for trying to explain and I understand your point that the Tea party movement thinks that the Boston tea party was about high taxes but it wasn't, they were against the tea act because it was imposed by the British parliament which the colonist felt they had little to know jurisdictional.

The colonists were saying they had the right to tax themselves not an outside power, so unless the tea party wants to start its own nation the comparison doesn't work.

p.s I read over the Palin article on wikipedia and the only policies I like are her stance on Nuclear energy and have to admit, whilst her she may not personally believe in global warming she does seem to recognise the value of preparing for it.

But apart from that she stands against everything I believe in.

The Tea Party Movement, is a little harder to define then just "radical republicans." They are really basically a grew up fed up with government, and group has factions that are fed up with government for different reasons.

Such as (some exaggerated, most imagined):
high taxes,
not spending tax money efficiently,
not upholding the constitution,
ineffective programs, bureaucracy,
rampid illegal immigration
Obama not being born in the US,
Obama being a Muslim
Obama being black
Obama being a Klingon

So by this description tea part makes sense cause it just about general frustration with the current governing body.

The colonists were saying they had the right to tax themselves not an outside power, so unless the tea party wants to start its own nation the comparison doesn't work.

I don't think the Tea Party is really comparing themselves to the Boston Tea Party itself, but it was more so an inspiration for this movement because of their general unhappiness with the current system; much like the same unhappiness back in 1773.

Dang, should have refreshed.

The craziest thing about Palin is that she is even mentioned in the same breath as ANY presidents, current or otherwise. She is a governor who bailed on her job to make as much money as possible and throw continous red meat to her followers who respond to emotion and her generic talks about "american (read: CHRISTIAN) morals" and other such patriotic emptiness.

The only reason why you are taking her seriously AT ALL is because you are an outsider and don't see as much of her always barnstorming every issue that happens in america, even though she holds no office and but for some reason everything she utters (and most of it is plagued with errors and extreme twists of logic/past history that even a lot of the most radical members of the Republican party speak out against her) is broadcast as news like it somehow matters.

And she won't even go on a television program or be interviewed any more unless it's by a fellow Fox News correspondant, and only responds to her critics and the factual flaws in her arguments through tweets and facebook updates. It's fucking insane.

And I'm not Mr. pro-Obama, anti-Republican either, there's just honestly nothing good she brings to a comprehensive, thoughtful conversation about how to move america forward in a responsible manner.

It's all about reading a variety of sources to get a decent perspective. I'd recommend www.realclearpolitics.com it list several articles of the day some are liberal, some conservative, and some in the middle.

Evan nailed it

rhythm,
rampid? do you mean rampant?

Ronald Ray Gun

yes i did -_-

Ryder, Sub that idea!

Evan smart. Palin not.

Thanks for that Khol, rhythmdev9 that clears the tea party issue up, its a shame their wasting an opportunity for debate (taxes, bureaucracy, the constitution and immigration) with pure ignorance.

Retroludo, thanks for the link, its awesome.

Evan, I think you touched on an issue that sums up the problem with an outsiders perception of America and American politics because she's really the only image we see of the republican party and being blunt she doesnt just represent republican ideology, shes a lot of peoples image of America, in a way shes taken the place of George Bush then turned it up to 11.

On the flip side I dont think you should be so quick to discount her as a viable candidate (meaning someone who has the potential to be elected).

The documentary pointed out that Regan wasn't really seen as a realistic candidate for the presidency and that his ideology was far too extreme, the fact that he was defeated twice before coming to office is a testament to that and whilst I agree that Palin is far from the greatest orator of her generation she is very good at motivating her core supporters.

I worry that democrats wont take her as a serious threat if she decides to run.

Jesus man, people in the rest of the world think Palin respresents us? Fuck, I thought Obama would help our image a little bit, but our country is hell bent on detroying itself and constantly voting against its own interests as the middle and lower classes float further and further down the drain to the people manipulating our economy and laughing all the way to the bank.

I am in no way dismissing her as a possible Rapublican candidate, but I don't think she is a threat at all quite honestly. There were recent polls where a theoretical 2012 election between Plain and Obama was taken in a rural part of Kentucky, aka Republican central, and even there Obama came out ahead of Palin in the standings. I think if the Republicans ran her for president they would be shooting themselves in the foot, although i would love it if they chose her, because that means she has to have a whole slew of one on one debates with Obama who could swiftly eviserate her.

But the thing about even that is to her supporters, it doesn't matter how wrong her facts are, how muddled and convuluted her policies on important issues are, because that's not what theyre voting for when they follow Palin's view of america.

I think (or at least hope) there are enough people that aren't taken in to her vision of an America that would be reversing key victories and have at least four years of her reign and marching america's progress back to the begginning of the monopoly board.

long live President Palin!

OBAMA: Never More Will Americans Have to Think For Themselves

OBAMA: Giving Will.i.am something to say after a song since 2008.

Palin sucks.
If there was a Threadless presidential election who should I vote for? Not necessarily who has the best designs, but who would represent our common interest the best?

Obama has helped to improve America's image globally but the palin/bush image of America has been entrenched a lot longer than the 8 years bush was in power. If anything the Bush years just seemed to confirm it and exaggerate it.

The fact that Obama's presidency coincides with a recession/depression (bit confused on that, economics isnt my strong point) that many people feel was caused by American irresponsibility in regards to the sub prime mortgages doesnt help.

Anyone with an education knows that Americans are a diverse people that have produced some of the greatest scientific and technological developments the world has ever seen, that has largely presided over a relatively peaceful world since it came to dominance in the mid 20th century.

But if you ask average joe what they think of America, its mainly just words parroted from the media that was extremely quick to blame Bush for the worlds problems.

Its going to take time to repair Americas image.

As for Palin, I just hope your right.

yeah... politics...

don't blame me. I voted for Kodos.

Didn't read all the comments because I assume my opinion is way varied from what's posted in here (except maybe for Ryder). Just wanted to say that the only unbiased site I've seen (thanks to Brian K) is FactCheck.org.

The far right and the far left are total freaks; I hate having to tag myself as either Republican or Democrat. Both parties (as well as the random other few that have a tiny voice) are such an embarrassment anymore.

it's so surreal

Ryder Revolution on Feb 08 '11 at 8:10pm
OBAMA: Giving Will.i.am something to say after a song since 2008.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

What frightens me about Palin and a lot of the tea party republicans is that they believe US law should be based on the bible.

Palin appears a complete demented psycho and I do NOT see her as representing the US in general.

In ThreadElections, Evan for president!!!! Who else, really :D

Yes FactCheck.org is probably the best site out there if you're looking for z comparison of the leaders' policies and things. You can look up their voting records and compare it to statements about stuff. But I haven't looked at it since the election. I don't know how extensive it would be about Palin since she doesn't have much of a voting record, she can just say her opinions but never has to put them down officially in practise in any way. Maybe there are other Tea Party politicians like that witch lady. But again the Tea Party is a new phenomenon from after the election so I don't know.

I'm pretty much only commenting because I don't know what the Tea Party is either and want to check back.

But to be honest I doubt there's accurate information here. I think they care about Obama's "socialism" not his religion which I'm sure they all realise is Christian. Though it's probably like that recent gag on The Simpsons, they're not racist, just number one with racists.

But to be honest I doubt there's accurate information here. I think they care about Obama's "socialism" not his religion which I'm sure they all realise is Christian. Though it's probably like that recent gag on The Simpsons, they're not racist, just number one with racists.

Do you mean there's not accurate information in this blog? Some of it might be a bit more biased in one direction, but as some have said before, reality is known to have a liberal bias :)

They care about many things, once being socialism- which is one of those words bandied about so much and with such a loose tag to things Palin and her friends find "unamerican" it really has no meaning...the same with the word "liberal" that has been demonized by some and somehow made a word meaning "open-minded" into something evil and to be feared.

Besides socialism, another piece of the puzzle is what Palin thinks (or at least says to rile up her base) is the antidote to socialism..."traditional american values". She also talks about "the real americans" a whole lot, which is code for basically saying the people who live in the middle of the country are true patriots, which means what, us folks on the coasts are socialist, godless terrorists? Sadly, some people actually believe these stereotypes that she perpetuates to the detriment of both sides.

To state that religion doesn't have any effect on the Palin/Obama comparison is to miss a huge chunk of the puzzle. It's not that Obama is or isn't a Christian, he's just not the kind of Christian where you base your outlook on government through Christian values...Tesco made the same (and accurate) conclusion up above. It's scary as hell to think your country could be run by policies that are in no way governed by the situation and reasoning out the best possible logic to solve it, not adhere to a rigid belief system that dramatically shapes your decision.

Religion can play a part in anyone's decisions, but once it becomes an overwhelming piece of it and how we should govern others on a major issue, I get very antsy.

I want my baby back....

I want my baby back....

I want my baby back....

Chilis baaaaaaaby back ribs

   FRICKINAWESOME on Feb 09 '11 at 5:18 am
Do you mean there's not accurate information in this blog? Some of it might be a bit more biased in one direction, but as some have said before, reality is known to have a liberal bias :)

I don't know I just think there's a big difference with how they see themselves and how they're perceived by others. So when the info comes from people who are opposed to them I think it's not just biased but it's also polarised. But they're hard to pin down. Because as I understand it they aren't a party in themselves And don't have a leadership so they don't have an official party line on things. They probably appeal to different people for a lot of different reasons. Like they aren't a part of the Republican party, just most would vote Republican. But they appeal to Libertarians etc too. Likewise I'd doubt they're all Christians just because Sarah Palin is. But it's very hard to tell what they are because of that lack of central organisation. I'd guess they probably pride themselves on that but to me I think it might be doomed to fail because it's quite easy to mobilize people because they are disgruntled about something you all have in common but the movement starts to fracture as people then have to work out how to actually fix the problem.

So the good news is we dont have to worry about Sarah palin running for president but...

a necklace worth $2500?!! that's crazy

Sarah Palin is a anomaly

Seriously, how much credit do you give the media for making her (as has been stated she is not even a governor anymore) the "voice" of the right?
And at the same time when have you ever seen a media piece done on her that does not paint her as a crazy?
The fact of the matter is that she is just a normal person. Nothing really crazy about that. But she has cultivated quite a following amongst people who distrust and or despise the media and the ultra left wing establishment.

so really in this situation I think the media in their fervor to lambast and ridicule Sarah Palin has had the opposite effect of consistently keeping her in the limelight and sending more disenfranchised people her direction.

Really isn't it the fact that so many people feel unrepresented by the modern political establishment a bit revealing of a larger problem? America voted in Bush2 on a platform of school choice, privatizing SS, reduced taxes. Then half of America voted for Obama promoting the polar opposite when it comes to policy leading us in the direction of a more socialized system.

We are a country divided, but if you watch the media there is only those who support progressivism and those who are un-educated and racist and looooove sarah Palin.

it's all so depressing

Joe,

I agree with just about everything you said, and I'm an ultra liberal. I don't view all of those on the right as solely uneducated and racist. But there is definitely a exaggerated painting of left as elitist intellectuals. The fact is we don't live in an age were there are solely two viewpoints, yet we still live with a system that only allows for two groups to maintain control. That's whats depressing to me.

me too bro

The whole middles states vs coast states is so fucking tired.
Are my Uncles and Cousins not good Marines because they are from Jersey? Do we love our country any less because we may believe in God but don't believe in shoving somebody's face in it?
This country would be so much better if people actually had to read about the issues instead of having someone shout at you about it.
What I hate is that people don't talk about the people taking care of each other in whatever way they can.
I will admit I am starting to bury my head in the sand. To talk to my nieces and nephews in their teens and early 20s and feel the frustration and sense of futility from them enrages me.
So many people seem to have given up hope of ever living in a functional USA again

It is difficult to really pin point what the Tea Party is about, because there seems to be many different factions involved. I believe the Tea Party started as a more Libertarian movement. After 8 years under a Republican President, the national debt had grown larger then ever. Many Republicans were unhappy with this and felt a need to re-brand themselves with a new movement. The Republicans had mostly focused there attention on social issues up before finical crisis.
Looking at the rise of the popularity of the Tea Party, some mainstream Republicans looked take advantage. Now the rhetoric of the Tea Party really appears to be no different then that of the Republican Party. Making it confusing to how it is even any different. What was a movement of fiscal policy has turned into that of American values once again.
As for Sarah Palin, its becomes clear to most Americans she is no longer even a politician. There's just much more money in book deals and reality TV. She even fared rather poorly among Republicans in the last straw poll. I believe coming in 4th with only 7 percent of the votes.

I don't know I just think there's a big difference with how they see themselves and how they're perceived by others. So when the info comes from people who are opposed to them I think it's not just biased but it's also polarised.

Only commenting on what i said, I wasn't talking about the Tea Party movement, I was talking about Sarah Palin. And just because you have a strong opinion against someone, if you have done the research and looked from all sides and read opinions on both sides of the aisle and arrive to a point based on as much fact as you can...yeah, there's legitmacy in that. I can't stand the modern world's logic of looking at cold hard fact and then someone just goes, "yeah...but that's the "left" or the "right" way of looking at the situation." It's ludicrous no one has a stable set of facts to look at any more it seems, or people's opinons are discounted so swiftly like this. I've listened to a lot of her speeches, her appearances on television, looking at her tweets and FB updates...and it's pretty hard not to come to the above conclusions about her that I stated. This isn't a swift talking-points rejection of her, this is giving her a chance, and seeing what kind of mindset she has and aggravates in people instead of trying to rationally solve problems.

We are a country divided, but if you watch the media there is only those who support progressivism and those who are un-educated and racist and looooove sarah Palin.

it's all so depressing

Totally agree Joe, this is why I watch little to no cable news programs, and try to find some websites that at least try a little bit not to just resort to talking points on either side of that senseless and pointless argument.



Joe, a lot of the pieces I've read have tried to actually go into her inner circle or talk to her and her supporters with an unbiased (or as close to an unbiased view) of the woman as possible...and they have mostly emerged with a not-so-rosy view of how she treats others, her critics, the rage she exacts on people that cross her professionaly and personally, the fact that few people speak out against Palin in her hometown for fear of reprisal...this is all on the record. You of course live in Alaska and obviously have the proximity and local knowledge I do not, as well as knowing about Palin before her leap to stardom in the last election.

I do not feel this way about all Tea Party members as well as Republicans, there's plenty I agree on issues with both. I have no problem with smaller government, as long as the pieces in place are doing an effective job and overseeing and enforcing the laws our country has set up to safeguard our economy and environment. And who doesn't want the debt to go down?

But Palin is another enigma, in my opinion a blemish on our democracy and doesn't add anything to the conversation but getting people more polarised...which is what SJ was ironically talking about, lol.

^
This probably sounds more intense than I mean it to be. It's easier talking about these things face to face :)

palin is a nitwit and 'bama is full of hot air