Living overseas (and I recommend it, by the way) and being (mercifully) disconnected from American politics, aside from my reading here, a little perspective.
I’m a political independent; always have been, and always will be. In general, there many commendable things to say regarding the Tea Party Movement, such as contitutionalism, fiscal conservatism, and more latitude to the individual States in regard to the more contentious social issues. Back in the 80s, in High School in the USA, my US history teacher (a flaming liberal) basically laid down the law in regard to how the USA was structured as a republic (he always emphasized that when kids would say “We’re a democracy”. He was a liberal, but by God, the man knew his history) and I’ve tended to adhere to what nowadays be called the “right-wing” point of view. I call it the “common-sense” or “obvious” point of view, but that’s just me.
However, that being said, the Tea Party Movement is essentially a revolutionary movement (I mean that in the positive sense of the word), and one must never forget the Golden Rule of which applies to about 90% of revolutionary movements; revolutions eat their own. It’s happened in pretty much every revolutionary movement I can think of from the French Revolution onwards. Perhaps the American Revolution was singuglarly unique, historically speaking.
Some of it is also the seductive power of political office; I have no doubt that people (so to speak, citizen statesmen) go in with the best of intentions, but become inevitably corrupted due to the corrosive nature of 20th Century power politics. There may be a few here and there who adhere to their guiding principles (true believer, idealists) but generally speaking once someone tastes the ambrosia of power, the addiction is instantaneous and overwhelming. Is it the way of things, and it will never change; it’s the nature of the 20th/21st Century American political system. Special interest groups rule the game, and we the people just really don’t capture the imagination of your typical congresscritter. We’re not giving away free trips to Cancun (ie, “research junkets”), single scotch malt, fine cigars, and pretty hookers.
Lobbyists do. That’s why they win.
Not to be a downer to anyone; I’m deeply pragmatic and extraordinarily cynical. Otto von Bismarck pegged it when he said that politics is bit like making sausage. The end result is delicious, but you really don’t want to see how it’s made (I’m paraphrasing).
Sadly, I don’t know how to post an image, so if someone wouldn’t mind doing it, I’d love to see an image of the great, immortal Edward G. Robinson from the end of the film, “Little Caesar”, as he lays mortally wounded, with the caption “Is this the end of the Tea Party?”
It’s not, of course, unless people become so disgusted with politics that they turn off from the great game entirely. And THAT is exactly what the “Establishment” (the ruling class) wants to see happen.
So, back to work for me; breaktime is over. Just some thoughts and reflections from an expatriate. I mean no offense to anyone, and if I offended anyone, my apologies.
Have a good one....I’m following this story from overseas with some interest.
Unbelievable. Congressman Allen West is NOT McQueeg, Snowe, Collins, Graham, etc. He is the BEST we can get at this moment in the history of the USA, especially in FL! Seriously, dude! You really want to join Debbie Blabbermouth W-S in throwing him out?! For a conservative to suggest throwing him (and Laura Ingraham) under the bus is sheer lunacy.
This is an argument of TACTICS in a long war of attrition, not over conservative PRINCIPLES. Geesh. I hoped we were smarter than this!
“LOYALTY UP” to Speaker Boehner who does indeed lead the party in the House. Fine.
But, but but ... where’s the LOYALTY DOWN to those who voted for him, those who sent him money, those who talked him up and campaigned for him. To those whom this man represents?
It’s one thing to make political and policy decisions that disagree with those of thousands and thousands who put you into the office you hold, Mr. West, but when YOU mock us and ridicule our adherence to principles, that is what most good folk call dis-loyal.
Did you listen to him? The headline is misleading, as usual. West is saying he will go along with the Boehner plan because it is better than the Reid plan. Personally I wish all republicans would refuse to raise the debt ceiling, but it won’t happen. They always raise the debt ceiling and they will continue to do so. And West, understandably, does not want to cut defense spending, at least not by 400-500 billion. I still trust his judgment.
To borrow from a Roman Emperor. “What happened to my Conservatives (Legions)?”
We need to get behind Speaker Boehner's plan. We simply can't put politics above doing what is right for the country. And in the meantime, we will continue to hold President Obama and the Senate Democrats accountable for all they have done to get us here.
There are two things you can do right now.
First, make a special contribution of $15, $25, $35, or even more right now to help me continue to fight for conservative principles. It's critical we have strong, outspoken voices in Washington, DC especially now.
Second, let’s turn the tables on President Obama and call him at 202-456-1414 and tell the White House you think he needs come to the table on this crisis which faces every American man, woman and child.
President Obama has spent more time pointing fingers and blaming Republicans than solving the problem. But I think the American People see through that. And I think in the end, he and the Senate Democrats will pay the price at the ballot box next November.
I support West and trust him too.
"P.S. Everyone I talk to still believes in contested primaries."
Laura Ingraham claims the Tea Party has called West a defector, and asks West to respond. My question is, where is this alleged official statement from the Tea Party claiming West is a defector? I would like to see it. Does anyone have a source for this official Tea Party statement calling West a defector?
PS I don’t find it prudent for Laura to be attacking the Tea Party. After a major drop in her ratings, she’ll have plenty of time on her hands to campaign for West in Fla.
Note to West: It’s not schizophrenic to oppose Boner’s limp response, nor is it schizophrenic to be opposed to your supporting his limp response.
Politically, the Tea Party has but one personality. NO deals with commies and socialists. NO tax increases. NO raising of the debt limit. A balanced budget amendment. And no, not ten years from now. We want it now! NO excuses!
We don’t want to hear how the house is but one branch. The friggin house controls the purse strings. The GOP has the majority in the house. (Albeit, there are many rinos infesting and tainting the water.)
Mr. West, if you cross the branch, to swim with them in their cesspool, your fate may not have to wait til re-election. Since those folks who put you there in the first place, just might have a re-call. It’s bad enough for you to cross the branch to swim with them in the cesspool. But, then for you to flip fecal matter in their faces, well, you might have a problem there.
Me too! Such an unpleasant surprise.
Screw him... I never figured I could trust him and seriously doubt i would ever vote for him.
So you're looking for someone to be and remain in constant and total agreement with you on all issues or… they become (pick your favorite conservative epithet)
GROW UP! You will find NO ONE in these United States more qualified and prepared to LEAD US out of this mess than Lt Col (Ret) Allen West. I don't look for people to agree with nor understand me. I stay true to my core convictions. The debt, the debt, the debt; the game the game, the game… But then he ain't running for office, now is he? Give me West, Sowell, Walter Williams and Ollie and I'll give you a Republic…back! My 2¢
Two more faux conservatives bite the dust
Reaching across the aisle is how we got to where we are now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back in Bush era all we heard was “next election, next election, next election”.
When are we going to start putting the rubber to the road?????????????????????????????
Fighters fight.
And quitters quit.
It’s too bad we don’t have more liberal fighters on our side. I’d be happy to trade them some of our quitters. :(:(:(:(:(
Please explain what problems raising the last debt ceiling solved ?
Also explain how we are in a better current financial situation since the last time we raised the debt ceiling ?
I saw this and it has been taken out of context. The whole Boehner 2.0 is beside the point, anyway. We always knew it'd get "tabled."
Is he (and Laura) saying the Tea Party is Schizo or that “opposition” to Tea Party is Schizo?
I don’t know West very much except for a few short radio interviews and none reflected a pan on Tea Party.
I’m not quite believing that Ingraham would attack Tea Party.
I’ve been double dog wrong in the past.
Flame away, I suppose. Just took prescription of Hydrocodone after 1 1/2 hours of two dental implants.
I doubt just about anything could hurt my feelings.
However, mouth hurting is another whole story. <><