Fourth of July Tea Party cancelled in Atlanta

By Contributor Archive

Filed Under Domestic Policy, Policy on Jun 26 

While I’m sure the supporters of these Tax Day related Tea Parties mean well, they are accomplishing nothing.

Do these protesters ever take the time to research a viable initiative to create legislative change to cap government spending? Probably not, because they are too busy planning tea parties all over the country.

The use of the word “party” in and of itself implies a certain mindset to have fun instead of getting the job done. These venues regularly invite key note speakers to attract hoards of people who are tired of paying exorbitant taxes. No kidding, we are all tired of it, but throwing “whining parties” about taxes goes over about as well as a hole in a tea bag. If I were a Spend Politician, I’d be laughing at these colonist “wanna be’s” all the way to the bank.

I would bet these tea parties don’t even provide recycling bins for the tons of paper and plastic waste they leave behind. The organizers are simply too engrossed in finding ways to nail down their fifteen minutes of fame that exists only in their minds.

They are costing themselves (and us) even more in taxes. Protest venues are not a rite of passage for feisty youth, misdirected adults and popular media figures. If they are going to protest, they should at least have specific goals laid out for how they plan to formally activate change.

Comments

26 Comments

  1. Brian H on 26.06.2009 at 18:07 (Reply)

    OK

  2. Rusty Shackleford on 26.06.2009 at 18:47 (Reply)

    “Gooney-goo-goo” – Eddie Murphy

  3. East of Eden on 26.06.2009 at 19:00 (Reply)

    Way to slam those excercising their right to assemble. What do you suggest they do Kristen? You seem to gripe alot but offer few solutions.

    1. Ken R. on 26.06.2009 at 20:36 (Reply)

      Rachel, it appears that you misses the part where Berry suggests that the organizers “have specific goals laid out for how they plan to formally activate change.” I don’t think people excercising their right to assemble is the issue at hand, but rather how effective is it to gather around a ‘bonfire’ so to speak and rail against the dark. I can’t help but believe that were all of this grass roots effort more organized it would yield much more fruit. As it stands, it almost seems (if I were a conspiracy theorist) designed to allow people a chance to vent their frustrations in the most ineffective manner possible.

      1. Brian H on 26.06.2009 at 20:50 (Reply)

        “it appears that you misses the part where Berry suggests that the organizers “have specific goals laid out for how they plan to formally activate change.”

        The people who exercise their First Amendment rights of free speech, assembly, and to petition their government do not need to have “specific goals”. That responsibility is for those who have been elected as represetatives, the law making branch of government. That is what the concept of represetative democracy is all about.

        Since when did liberals become opposed to railing “against the dark”?

        HAHAHAHAHAHA

        1. Ken R. on 26.06.2009 at 21:55 (Reply)

          Brian H,

          As I am totally unaware of your level of education, I am unsure if you know that an elected representative is obligated to write a bill if petitioned by their constituents. Holding a public rally, as cathartic as it may be for the people involved, hardly qualifies as a formal petition. We as citizens can get much more bang for our buck if we FIRST make the formal petition and THEN hold a public rally to show the officials how much public support we have.

          Have you ever asked a legislator to write a bill about something you care for? Try it sometime, you might see that the REAL concept of a democratic republic is that the PEOPLE have the responsibility of letting their elected officials know what they want, and not waiting around until the officials deign to take notice on their own.

          1. Brian H on 26.06.2009 at 23:05 (Reply) (Comments won't nest below this level)

            “As I am totally unaware of your level of education, I am unsure if you know that an elected representative is obligated to write a bill if petitioned by their constituents.”

            You are right, I am unaware.

            Apparantly my education level is below yours as I am completely unaware of any legal requirement that says an elected official is “obligated” to write a bill because he/she has been petitioned…or for any toher reason for that matter.

            I am 100% positive though that you, with your high level of education, will provride us ALL with the legal statute that supports your claim.

          2. Brian H on 29.06.2009 at 18:14 (Reply)

            or not……

          3. Brian H on 26.06.2009 at 23:13 (Reply) (Comments won't nest below this level)

            “We as citizens can get much more bang for our buck if we FIRST make the formal petition and THEN hold a public rally to show the officials how much public support we have.”

            That is probably true. But, do you not realize that unless people care about an issue there will never be a “formal petition”. These rallies are designed to get people involved, energized, and informed on the issues. The petiton process follows, not proceeds, these rallies.

  4. Rachel E on 26.06.2009 at 19:10 (Reply)

    Is this the same KB whose mother graciously chose life.

    If it is, for heavens sake – please don’t indulge this drivel.

  5. Brian H on 26.06.2009 at 20:51 (Reply)

    true that

  6. kristen (the other one) on 26.06.2009 at 21:52 (Reply)

    I applaud the tea parties. Regular working-class citizens gathering to say “Enough is enough” with taxes sounds good to me. People are fed up with excessive taxes, and they want change. They are exercising their first amendment rights and letting their voices be heard. You want a viable initiative? Quit spending money on pork. Quit creating ’stimulus’ packages that quadruple the nation’s debt.

    1. Kristen Berry on 26.06.2009 at 22:06 (Reply)

      I know what you’re saying, but gatherings with no real direction is an opiate for the masses that creates only an illusion of change.

      1. Kristen Berry on 26.06.2009 at 22:07 (Reply)

        Excuse my grammar it’s getting late.

      2. JE on 26.06.2009 at 23:23 (Reply)

        I agree with your point, KB. I wonder sometimes if a similar argument couldn’t be made for all the brilliant, informed political minds who spend their time blogging instead of formulating a plan and petitioning the gov. We all have our opiates, that’s why the idiots in power can pass garbage like cap & trade while the ‘news’ does wall to wall Michael Jackson.

        1. kristen (the other one) on 26.06.2009 at 23:50 (Reply)

          that’s why the idiots in power can pass garbage like cap & trade while the ‘news’ does wall to wall Michael Jackson.

          Seriously! Can you believe this nonsense?! I’m almost beside myself with the over-the-top coverage of the King of Pop and the lack thereof on this ridiculous bill that squeaked by in the House today.

  7. teapartygear on 26.06.2009 at 22:29 (Reply)

    Get your tea party gear http://tinyurl.com/superfreedom

  8. Troy La Mana on 26.06.2009 at 22:58 (Reply)

    I have a tea bag hanging from my rear view mirror as a silent protest where ever I go.

    1. East of Eden on 29.06.2009 at 10:52 (Reply)

      Troy, good idea….I’m going to do that today!

  9. Alaina on 27.06.2009 at 00:49 (Reply)

    “While I’m sure the supporters of these Tax Day related Tea Parties mean well, they are accomplishing nothing.”

    Really? I’d say that they’ve accomplished a lot. People were upset, they gather to express their feelings and it was covered on every single news station in the country. That created buzz and then more and more tea parties started popping up all over the country. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d say that’s a pretty big accomplishment and just the beginning of what they set out to do.

    “They are costing themselves (and us) even more in taxes.”

    What am I missing? How are the tea parties costing us even more in taxes?

    “The use of the word “party” in and of itself implies a certain mindset to have fun instead of getting the job done.”

    Ever heard of a little thing called the Boston Tea Party? I didn’t go to a fancy school and get a fancy education and even I know that it wasn’t about having fun.

    “…throwing “whining parties” about taxes goes over about as well as a hole in a tea bag.”

    Maybe if you did a little research, the tea parties aren’t just about taxes. Many people who go to tea parties are there protesting wasteful government spending. I’m sure we’ll be able to add you to the list of whiners when inflation goes through the roof due to Obama’s spending bill.

    “I would bet these tea parties don’t even provide recycling bins for the tons of paper and plastic waste they leave behind.”

    Probably, but Obama (and after all, he is the king of organizers) couldn’t be bothered with putting plain old trash cans around the National Mall during his inauguration. Any chance you saw those pics? Recycling is great, but is it really the most important thing here?

    “Protest venues are not a rite of passage for feisty youth, misdirected adults and popular media figures.”

    I have no idea where you’re going with this one… last time I checked it was a constitutional right.

    1. Brian H on 27.06.2009 at 01:49 (Reply)

      Alaina.
      It is an attempt to marginalize anyone who speaks out against The Goldon Child. Apparently K. Berry and Ken R. believe the people are supposed to write the legislation, prior to organizing and speaking out, none-the-less.

      Us uneducated simpletons aren’t smart enough to understand that Obama is our friend.

    2. Neil B on 27.06.2009 at 10:17 (Reply)

      Alaina – I think I’m in love!!!

      But not in a Gov. Sanford way.

      You said it well!

    3. Mrs Rusty Shackleford on 27.06.2009 at 11:54 (Reply)

      Excellent response Alaina. The article irriated me so much it wasn’t an option for me to respond. Thank you for doing it right! You Rock!

  10. Jason on 27.06.2009 at 13:57 (Reply)

    “While I’m sure the supporters of these Tax Day related Tea Parties mean well, they are accomplishing nothing…”

    People like Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Neal Boortz and Dana Loesch don’t encourage, participate in, and attend Tea Parties because Tea Parties are a waste of time. People like Barack Obama, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, don’t ridicule and mischaracterize the Tea Parties because they have zero impact.

    Tea party protesters come from all walks of life and all levels of political involvement. Physicians stand beside house painters, political insiders stand beside political novices.

    Sure, legislative change is the goal. Some Tea Party attendees will have the political sophistication to push for legislative change, others won’t. But energizing, educating and motivating people is an important part the political process. The Tea Parties serve those functions. Why discourage that?

    “I would bet these tea parties don’t even provide recycling bins for the tons of paper and plastic waste they leave behind…”

    You would KNOW the answer to this question if had ever been to a tea party. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

    I know you mean well, but from the tone of this article it’s clear that you’ve never attended a Tea Party.

    Come and visit with us at the big Metro-Atlanta Tea Party on July 3, 6:00 PM at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta, GA. http://tr.im/pVGk

  11. Jill C. on 08.07.2009 at 15:50 (Reply)

    “The use of the word “party” in and of itself implies a certain mindset to have fun instead of getting the job done.”

    Does this also include the Democratic Party?

  12. Polprav on 14.10.2009 at 17:02 (Reply)

    Hello from Russia)

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