Rarely does a ‘convention’ that draws 600 people get top billing in the media, but the recent ‘National Tea Party Convention’ has accomplished it. By comparison, the annual Star Trek convention in Las Vegas draws 15,000. The costumes are pretty much on par though.

Billed as a Tea Party Convention for ‘delegates’ of the ‘Party’, speakers included some defunct politicians, lead by Sara Palin; and out-and-out racists, like former U.S. representative Tom Tancredo (Colo.).

Nevertheless, I read a lot of the coverage – especially those that posted comments from the attendees. It appeared to me that there are two distinct types of people that consider themselves Tea Party Patriots.

The first type is genuinely worried about a socialist leaning government. They cannot offer one shred of evidence that this administration is any more ‘left’ of center than any previous Administration. And they often admit most all their concern raises from congressional actions (or the lack thereof) rather than any policy or proclamation from the Obama Administration.

The second type is simply the racist bigots. These are usually the more ‘religious right’ – or should I say ‘religious white’ – wherein Obama’s ethnicity is a specter of evil. They interpret Obama’s election as paramount to handing over this white Judeo-Christian U.S.A to a Black Muslim Marxist bent on the destruction of American ideals.

These two will not be able to spend much more time in bed together, no matter how hard the matchmakers at Fox News and the RNC try to keep them in line until the next election.

The political issues we face today – even the lilt of the 2011 budget – gathered steam entirely in the Republican era from 2000-2008. The ground was cultivated, however, by both parties as early as 1984. But the economic history lesson can wait until another time. The point here is that Obama is not, and has never been, the problem for those who genuinely study the facts of the present economic crisis and monumental deficit. They KNOW it has been the right of center policies that lifted controls on financial institutions – and the left of center policies that tried to subsidized the American Dream for millions of unqualified home buyers.

Hopefully soon the two odd fellows in this movement will split and those that recognize the true issues at hand will stop trying to recruit ‘Republican’ converts and start empowering Independent political candidates. For, you see, just 3 Independent U.S. Senators can eliminate the party based inertia syndrome, wherein voting along party lines is the norm and filibuster threats cause political lethargy.

Many believe the grass roots of this country cannot make Washington change. That is wrong. The Tea Party pundits at least have that much right. A complete revolution in all 50 States is not required for significant change to occur. A few well placed votes can upset the status quo. However, they cannot be ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat’ votes. THAT is what will maintain the status quo, not change it.

I look forward to the day when the sane members of the Tea Party movement join the rest of us that rally against the political status quo in Washington. Together we can get our country back on track and elect a few good Americans that work for the People rather than a Party.

JB

References & Sources:

Berger, J. (2010). Article: Tea Party Convention Gives Boost to Newcomer Politicians, FOXNews.com, Retrieved Saturday, February 6, 2010 from: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/05/tea-party-convention-gives-boost-aspiring-elected-officials/

Creation Entertainment. (2010). Promotion: The Official STAR TREK Convention 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada, Creation Entertainment, Retrieved Saturday, February 6, 2010 from: http://www.creationent.com/cal/stlv.htm

Gerhart, A.; Rucker, P. (2010). Article: The Tea Party is still taking shape, The Washington Post, Retrieved Saturday, February 6, 2010 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/05/AR2010020501694.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Meacham, J. (2010). Article: How the Tea Party Could Help All of Us, Newsweek, Retrieved Saturday, February 6, 2010 from: http://www.newsweek.com/id/233182