Whenever I write a political column that is conservative in nature, I am often accused by my liberal readers of being a “filthy Teabagger.” I have found this expression to be rather amusing. They might also compare me to Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, FOX News, etc., all of which are designed to suggest we are fanatically evil and bent on distorting the truth. I have my own views on these entities which I have shared in my columns over the years, some things I like, some things I do not. However, I cannot dismiss them out of hand when I compare them to the liberal media who spins their own doctrine.
Although I am not a member of the Tea Party, I have met many of them over the last few years. Frankly, I have found them to be articulate in their concerns, and nothing more than conscientious citizens. Not once have I heard one of them utter a racial expletive or call for the assassination of anyone or any other gruesome activity. They are simply unhappy with the course the country is taking. Their beliefs can be condensed into three simple points:
* That the government should abide by the U.S. Constitution, thereby guaranteeing our freedoms and liberty.
* That big government and over regulation inhibits business and, as such, should be reduced.
* That the government has a fiduciary responsibility to operate within its means, meaning to operate within a balanced budget.
There may be other minor considerations, but these three points represent their principal concerns. They also want their government representatives to subscribe to these rules and have been very instrumental in getting people elected who share their views. Furthermore, they see government officials as servants of the people, not the other way around. Frankly, I have a difficult time refuting their arguments, which is why I am occasionally accused of being a “filthy Teabagger.”
I find this expression interesting as it is intended to vilify people, thereby sabotaging their arguments. By their baseless accusations, liberals and the media have cleverly clouded the public’s perception of the Tea Party, and turned “Teabagger” into a dirty icon resulting in a Pavlovian response.
Interestingly, the media teaches the public it is okay to ridicule, criticize, and condemn the Right. Not surprisingly, attacking the Left is considered off-limits. As a minor example, if the Republicans were in charge of the White House now, the press would unmercifully attack them for Benghazi, the Budget, the Economy, and the many gaffes of the Vice President. Needless to say, this hasn’t happened. The hypocrisy of the media is overwhelming, yet the public seems unconcerned.
Whereas the Tea Party is unfairly vilified, the left has carte blanche to openly attack conservative candidates and celebrity supporters on social media using vicious discourse, e.g., Stacey Dash. Yet, the media never seems to take them to task over this. Again, hypocrisy in action.
Frankly, I see nothing wrong with the word “Teabagger,” but treat it more as a compliment as opposed to a condemnation. Maybe instead of being offended, we should simply say “Thank you.” Being polite usually confuses the left. As an aside, I am actually quite “clean”, which is more than what I can say about a lot of my liberal opponents.
Keep the Faith!
Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.
Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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patti’s notes: very true . they are people,that feel like we need to restore our honor and values of america,they way she was for many years,but bigger government ,the biggest reason. just might be the third party,in three years. pl,orl,fla
I’m not offended, but consider it ludicrous in the extreme for these lame leftie-luzer tochus-lekkers to be calling constitutionalists like me “teabaggers.”
I’m downright fastidious when it comes to what – and who – I allow to get close to my privy parts, thank you.
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The pernicious will always villify that which might be endanger their horrific agenda. All we can do is press ahead and pound home the righteousness of our belief in the Constitution. Never give up! NEVER.
Tim,
good work product – the Progressive left see the Tea Party as a significant threat to the 120 year effort to make the Constitution a “LIVING DOCUMENT” which it is not. They have used the courts to permit the legislature and the executive to usurp power. The court actually gave itself usurped powers outside of the Article III limits. It is standard procedure for the Progressives to call names and disparage all that show their movement to be in violation of the Constitution. The lose the debate on the facts and just slander the opponent using straw men and red herrings. Do not address the facts point to a new opinion change the subject.
Here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson that chases away Progressives like the cross and the Vampire:
I say, the earth belongs to each of these generations during its course, fully and in its own right. The second generation receives it clear of the debts and incumbrances of the first, the third of the second, and so on. For if the first could charge it with a debt, then the earth would belong to the dead and not to the living generation. Then, no generation can contract debts greater than may be paid during the course of its own existence. – Letter to James Madison (6 September 1789)
Good points, GoodBusiness. The name-calling and use of ridicule and slander is a part of the hard Left’s ideological offensive, as codified in Saul Alinskiy’s ‘Rules For Radicals’. But one is wasting one’s breath if one says to such a foot soldier of the far Left, “Don’t you dare try to stifle free speech. That right was too hard-won,” because the far Left doesn’t WANT The People to have the right of ‘free speech’ as defended and codified in the Constitution. They don’t want ‘negative rights’ – ‘The government shall not…’ i.e., a list of things that the government cannot do to The People (who are the rightful sovereigns in this form of government; i.e., the individual). They want ‘positive rights’ – a list of things that the government can and should do FOR the people. And thus make the people dependent on, and beholden to, the state FOR their rights.
The far Left in America, then – under their Dear Leader, Obama – want a revolution, replacing the American Constitution with one more like the former Soviet Union’s, where the state runs the whole show, and ‘the people’ are just subjects TO the state. Want, as you say, ‘a living document’ – so that they can tailor it to their ends, and interests. It’s a con job of major proportions. Let’s hope that The People will wake up in time, and take back their country from these – oh oh. Better not call them something offensive. They’ll say that I’m just being hypocritical…
The problem I see here when the word Tea Bagger is used to define a group of people is that most voters don’t even know what a Tea Bagger believes. Just ask one! They get their information from the very people who would destroy their own country, namely, the media and and whoever controls the puppet in the White House. If the socialist union members held up the same signs they would think it was a sign from God who they apparently don’t have faith in anymore!
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
Winston Churchill
I certainly would not want anyone in the White House who claims they are inspired from God. Many of the people we are at war with claim they get their orders from God too. Is God pro-war? I don’t believe so. If they were inspired by God or Christ, they’d be helping people and not suppressing or killing them.
Let’s be sensible and use reason instead of following the writings of ancients that thought the Earth is flat or still think the Earth is only 6000 years old. How insane is THAT?
I agree with your points but it raises some questions:
* That the government should abide by the U.S. Constitution, thereby guaranteeing our freedoms and liberty.
(They should not be spying on it’s citizens or throwing them in jail without due process)
* That big government and over regulation inhibits business and, as such, should be reduced.
(Does this mean the companies that pollute should be allowed to do so freely?)
* That the government has a fiduciary responsibility to operate within its means, meaning to operate within a balanced budget.
(Wars should not be put on credit cards for the next administration to pay)
BTW: I’d look up the definition of “Teabagger”.