Tea Party 09-12-09

It was another Tea Party day here in Naples (and around the Nation). By the count of Jack Lee (Fort Myers) the Naples event included around 1400 people midway through the 2-hour event. I watched him perform the count. Figuring that people came and went, I'd say perhaps 2,000 attended. The rain that poured down earlier in the day broke and skies cleared just as the event began at 10am.

The numbers were good (albeit not impressive). But, the sincerity of the attendees and the incessant honking from passing cars more than compensated for the numbers. Several people called me and apologized for their non-attendance because they were either working or had family commitments. No, I didn't help organize the event (it was part of national effort pushed by Project 912). But, I did encourage people I knew to attend and participate.

What was impressive, however, was that the older generations weren't there alone. This time, kids (from elementary through high school) were present and accounted for, as well. One young lady, a student at Gulf Coast High School, came by and asked to take a picture of my sign - a message about 1984 and how close we are to reaching an Orwellian Society. It seems that her AP (Advanced Placement) World History class was reading Orwell's 1984. This student was a thinker. She saw how her involvement in this event (and my sign) fit the upcoming class discussions. If she doesn't get an A for her creativity and insight, I'll be disappointed.

But other students' made their own signs with messages about the debt they were inheriting. Even with some obvious parental coaxing or involvement, the kids knew their stuff. I interviewed them and it was far more than simply parroting. In fact, the message went beyond debt and anti-Obama/anti-Congress sentiments. There was an incredible math message, too. One person noted that her daughter was monitoring an online national debt clock while developing her poster, "Well, I wanted to go to college, but I already owe $38,300+" (Fig. 1).

Signs about the debt were telling, too. Sure there were the occasional links to a certain Nazi leader of the 1930's and 1940's (I am reading William Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" because, I also see parallels). There were also a few anti-Pelosi and "vote them all out" signs. But most signage keyed on actions that may peril our nation - fiscal, constitutional, international and the like. There were also signs questioning the mindset that pushes czars, anti-American and radical advisors and censorship. Others urged smaller, less intrusive government. A few even questioned the ability (or lack thereof) of our elected officials to read the bills they generate in Congress. Simply put, the attendees did not like the so-called "change" that the party in power is bringing (Figs. 2 to 4).

It was this outpouring of individual sentiment (even within a growing national movement) that impressed me. It caught my eyes as I drove up to the tea party site (Fig. 5). It was implanted within my brain walking around and talking with attendees and seeing the myriad of individually-made signs and even personalized tee shirts. These people were NOT brainwashed zombies parroting a programmed message and carrying pre-made signs. They demonstrated what makes the USA so great. People here CAN think; informed people CAN speak their minds in a civil manner; and citizens CAN push to change what they don't like. And everyone didn't have to agree on every concern. It's too bad that only the thinking people believe this. Too many others want everyone to think exactly like they do.

The people at yesterday's Naples event believe (as I do) that
our Nation is moving in the wrong direction on just about every front. They also feel that the people driving the "hope and change" message forgot that their approach smacks of cronyism, socialism and a complete lack of true national pride.

For them, 2010 cannot come soon enough to start the housecleaning of the House of Representatives.