The Washington Tea Party

Well, I think it's finally time that we talk about the next big thing in politics: the Tea Party. Most people will refer to it as the "Tea Party Movement," but I refuse. By calling it a movement, you add connotations that seem to make the Tea Party something to not take seriously. Oh, it's just a temporary movement other than a serious political party. Well, I'm not buying into it, so I'm going to refer to it as simply, the Tea Party, just like I would say Democratic Party or Republican Party. (If you read, you already know my feud with the two party system)

Basically, the Tea Party simply wants less spending, less taxes, and the smaller, less intrusive government that would accompany these changes. This website gives a good description of the Tea Party and some of its history. On there, they say that the Tea Party isn't an organized party, just a movement, but that won't stop me. I want it to be a party, so I will call it one. Right now, it seems that Sarah Palin, our old friend from the '08 election, is the leader, or at least the figurehead. Her "Joe the Plumber" is a good description of the movement. (ok, I guess there's no other way) It's just a populist appeal to people who want lower taxes. In fact, some people consider it a revival f the Populist movement of the late 1800s.

Now, what will this do to our government and nation? Well, hopefully enough people take it seriously that it will force Democrats and Republicans to rethink some of their conventional approaches to government. If the word gets out there, that government spends way more money than they have yet still want to tax more, the people might start thinking, "Hey, maybe it's possible for me to have lower taxes. I'm going to go vote for an independent." Oh what a great idea, voting for someone with no ties to a party. Wouldn't that just be grand?

Well that's the idea, voting for leaders based on policy, not party. I hope that the Tea Party grows, and even if it doesn't take power and become a major party. I want it to get just big enough to where people take it seriously and it starts to inflict some real change.