Tea Party = Taxpayers

Some folks out there, readers and writers on this site included, have a mistaken idea about Tea Party Americans. This is my attempt to enlighten your understanding, not to convert you. But as a writer who hopes to expand your horizons by reading, I'll offer what I know about Tea Party, taxpayers, GOP, and others.

Tea party = taxpayers

As the title informs, Tea Party means taxpayers, ordinary folks like you and me, up and down the social spectrum, across the country from Left to Right. Well, let me qualify that by saying it means the 50% of Americans who actually pay tax. The other fifty percent doesn't, nor are they Tea Party.

Rooted in regular America

The Tea Party grew from grass roots in 2009. It arose from frustrations over Americans' representatives in Washington, who showed more interest in their own re-elections than in representing their constituents.

One need not sign on in any official way for Tea Party membership. Alignment in kind with Tea Party princliples is all that's required. Americans writing checks to government automatically qualify.

Fiscal responsibility

The Tea Party cuts across political affiliations of Democrats, Republicans, libertarians, and independents. The common thread that seams Tea Party patriots together concerns fiscal responsibility. Of particular Tea Party concern is how our representatives in Washington--from the houses of Congress right up to the president--appear to care nothing about it. Fiscal responsibility, what's that?

Good name of America compromised

National debt is so big that the good credit of these United States has been compromised. S&P downgraded America's credit rating from triple A to AA+. The unknowing might not care, but it is a very big deal for once fiscally responsible America and occurring for the first time in U.S. history. Nobody but the Tea Party appears to be concerned.

Growing social welfare state

High tax and big debt are the signatures of the American Dream currently turning to welfare state. The people in power do that to the people without power and fund the conversion with taxpayer dollars. It's as simple as that.

If you are a receiver of those dollars, you are contributing to America's demise. If you feel entitled to somebody else's support, you are not Tea Party material.

Principled and proud

If you are a taxpayer and don't like where your hard-earned dollars go, you have aligned with Tea Party principles, whether you know it or not. And like it or not, fear not the label. Tea Party means you are grounded in principle and derive pride in making your own way.

No handouts

Let me put it to you straight: Tea Party people don't like the wanton smack in the face when they see the income they earn go to TARP, the stimulus, cash for somebody's clunker, thousands in refunds for neighbors' solar panels, extended payments to people already paid plenty for not working, and every Tom, Dick, and Harry's medical care but their own.

And it's not as if they are uncaring. Tea Partiers will support those in need in their own ways.

What the Tea Party is not

So, if you were on the receiving end of any of these fiscally irresponsible social programs, you are not the substance of Tea Party patriots. The rest of us--whether Tea Party affiliates or not--would take kindly to avoid being labeled Republicans, Democrats, Sarah Palin look-alikes, or anything else. The time for derogatory name-calling by those who know no better ought to stop now. Their ignorance is showing.

And let the folks who fund our runaway government stand up and speak for themselves. For a change.

Source:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SampP-downgrades-US-credit-apf-2107320979.html

http://templeofmut.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/kicking-the-can-down-the-road-over-the-cliff/

http://www.teapartypatriots.org/

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/incometaxandtheirs/a/whopaysmost.htm