I’ve watched and participated in some debates online with two Tea Party movements here in Indiana. iCaucus, and the Indy Defender’s of Liberty. They’re a disjointed bunch that collectively only boast about 1300 members. They piss and moan about some fairly inane topics, have no focus, suffer from a variety of in-fighting, and at times, seem like a bunch of schoolyard bullies.
I dropped out of the groups last week. Erick at Red State pretty well sums it up.
We have reached a point where the tea party movement will either go forward in greater organization or it will not. As one of those people who turned out for the initial protests, the later protests, flew around the country speaking at rallies, etc. I would like to say goodbye.
I hope the activists on the street will leave with me. It is not that we are leaving the tea party movement, but rather we choose to assert ourselves in the movements of America and focus not as tea party activists, but as concerned Americans troubled by the direction of the country. As the organizations of the tea party movement evolve into a federation, we activists choose to evolve into activists in the political process in our municipalities, counties, states, and nation.
So I will not be turning out to protest this tax day. Instead, I am going to put down my protest sign and pick up my campaign sign for Marco Rubio, Marlin Stutzman, Ken Buck, Pat Toomey, Mike Lee, Chuck DeVore, Pam Gorman, Tom Graves, Sean Duffy, Angela Hicks, Nikki Haley, Karen Handel, and others. I’m going to focus not on protesting, but on actually changing the country through finding, fielding, supporting, funding, volunteering for, and praying for good men and women who share my very American concerns. I am going to focus on my local government, making sure my local leaders live up to my expectations; likewise at the same at the state and federal level too.
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Tags: Erick Erickson, Tea Party
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I agree with Mr. Erickson. If the tea party movement continues as is the current trend, the freedom loving individuals will once again give over their individual rights and duties to organizations trying to spring up like iCaucus. We will end up greating another crutch telling us how to think and how to act.
Have to agree with Red State and many other early leaders in the tea party movement of early 2009. We were interested in tapping into the frustration that was brewing against TARP and the Stimulus Bill. But frankly the leadership capabilities of many of the local groups were shown to be lacking. Some took the conspiracy route, others went big time social issues and left their roots, and even others played with third party dreams.
This is an election year and time to focus on winning elections. Not on tax day tea parties for the benefit of organizers who have lost their way and don't have a place to call home.
Wow, The argument Mr. Erickson presented, though eloquent is not in sync with my thoughts. We would still be under the British law and believe me, The British were a very determined people in wanting to keep us under their rule by trying to make sense then threats and finally war with the American people (actually war against us twice). Our idea of a free nation was exactly the reason we wanted to leave their oppressive regime so we opted for freedom and independence. Even then, there were some people who wanted to be under the British rule and so called security. Some even ran off to Canada believing they will be safe yet remain in good favor with the British. Me, I can only thank God for the people who had the backbone to stay and fight for a free nation. The Tea Party is not just a ho-hum organization. It was proven in the past as a vehicle to express an idea as well as now and with great success. I certainly hope it produces a fruitful end in peace. If not… well only God knows.
I disagree, sort of. If a group’s main purpose is to go protest and walk around with signs, thinking that alone will drive change, they are doomed to failure.
However, if a group’s aim is to affect local elections by educating the citizens to the choices available to them, and by identifying the candidates who espouse the virtues of limited government and a return to the Founders’ intentions, such a group can and will survive and thrive.
Also, if group members attend the local, routine meetings (council, school board, etc.) and make reports from those meetings, they add to the collective intelligence of the group when those elected officials come up for election.
In Whitley County, we have, in three short months, grown to over 200 people attending our meetings.
And yes, we will be on the steps of the Whitley County Courthouse on April 15, but our organization is much more than that.
Please don’t wrap up the entire Patriot/Tea Party movement in a actions of a few groups.
I think that people scoffing at the tea parties do not get them. Every group I am associated with – Tea Party, Patriots, Grassfire and Resistnet – plus others I have observed like the Michiana 912'ers and the Warsaw Silent No More have their first priority focused on May 4th. I can understand that Democrats will want to demonize an actual grassroots movement and even infiltrate it (they posted the idea on the internet, dummmmmmb) but this is not a set of goofs letting off steam they are voters and they are going to vote!
radar, it seems we talk on numerous platforms and agree on a whole host of things, like our support for Marlin Stutzman, our frustration with Lake County corruption, and the need for better education of voters so they stop this ridiculous incumbent voting trend without even thinking. A name recognition vote is a vote for staying naive.
On tea parties you must realize as you've been a member of many of these groups, some of the leaders are a bit odd. They may be valuable in elections, they may be able to organize protests … but the conspiracy theories do abound. Let's do this, let's agree that the tea parties have been great for conservatives to learn about grass roots, and to learn that the local and state GOP don't always get it right, and need to listen a whole lot more.
But let's also agree if you will, that it's time the tea parties focus on the elections at hand, and be a part of winning some.
Micah,
Welcome to the socialist movement called iCaucus. Command and conquer.
They're amateurs.
I-caucus just banned me from posting on or accessing their website simply because I asked a question about Richard Behney and posted verbatim answers all of the US Senate Candidates gave to that question (which also appeared in the Indy Star) I noted that while I have nothing against Richard, his answer was totally different from the others and from what he told me and others at a different forum to the same question. . . that was about all she wrote. I was accused of not helping the conservative cause because I raised a possible concern about double speak and/or holding the same view as BHO on that issue. . . and thought that since they endorsed him they should look into this. . . Nay Nay, Micah -Goodbye – You broke the rules.