Tea Party Activist - Don't Tread on Me - Taking the Message to GE, image snowflakesinhell blog
US Newsreleased an article on November 22, entitled “Next Tea Party Target: Corporate America” noting that certain organizations within the Tea Party, notably Freedom Works and the National Center for Public Policy Research's Free Enterprise Project, are planning to use their clout to push for boycotts of firms that actively supported and sought benefit from the Presidents Stimulus and other government projects. In the article, by Paul Bedard, the Tea Party members are now being tagged as “activist” and he is comparing their efforts of a boycott to push policy change from corporations similar to those of Jesse Jackson, with one difference – he feels that the Tea Party would have a greater impact.
Noting that, in general, Republican’s are viewed by some as being “in bed with” big business, however, when one views data from Open Secrets.org, General Electric is considered one of the “Heavy Hitters” in Political Contributions, with an obvious disparity favoring Democrats over the Republicans, which is not as disturbing as what money was spent lobbying for those same bills opposed by not only Tea Party members, but a large percentage of American’s.
A boycott by Tea Party Members, whom a Gallop poll recently exposed were made up of growing numbers of Indpenednets, who’s Congressional Candidates are viewed more favorably than Obama by a majority of Americans (Gallop Poll November 24th):
“Americans are as likely to want Tea Party-backed Republican members of Congress to have the most influence over federal policies in the coming year as they are to prefer President Barack Obama. The Democratic leaders in Congress rank last in this regard, behind the Republican leaders.”)
Therefore, as the Tea Party movement begins to become more cohesive as a political party or political force, one can understand what the implications are for the continued shenanigans of business as usual in the Beltway. The Tea Party continues to put all politicians’ “on notice” regardless of Party, based on concerns primarily driven by strict interpretation of the Constitution, and economics.
How pervasive is the Tea Party in the United States? Although one may look at both Massachusetts and California as hopelessly tied to one political party, the Tea Party’s can be found growing in both states. In the case of the 2010 mid-terms, for example, Massachusetts Democrat Legislators, who generally ran unopposed for decades, had to fight tooth and nail, raise the dead, and rely on last minute “get out the vote” initiatives by Community Organizations, in order to garner enough votes to maintain the status quo, for now. Politicians such as Richard Neal (MA2) were considered vulnerable for the first time in their Congressional History, and although beltway polling predicted a 74 point advantage for Neal, the reality was quite different. Although Neal did maintain his seat in Congress, it was by a 20 point, not 60 point advantage in a run against a political newcomer, Tom Wesley, running on grassroots activism with no financial support. Barney Frank over in the 4th District, was furious even upon winning the election as Democrat turned Republican, Sean Beilat, came within 10 points of besting Frank, who again, was used to huge 60% margins.
The Boston Globe’s, somewhat condescending article on the Tea Party notes that, although many candidates were defeated (they do not mention those candidates who were elected to the State Legislature, double the number previously held by Republicans), the Tea Party is Massachusetts intends to get more involved, including the inclusions of “candidate schools”.
Which, with growing influence and members made up of a variety of political backgrounds nationwide, growing acceptance by the general public, and a clear message (one that is direct and to the point) regarding the who, what and why’s of a boycott, those who feel they are immune from conservative activities (normally, in the past, Conservative Activists, were simply not as aggressive in tactics as their Liberal counterparts), will find that a new breed of Tea Party Conservatives may just have enough clout to push GE out of Washington.
The formation of a political party is a long process, one that is not instant, rather takes years, the Tea Party has shown itself to be formidable, although, for now, indentifying with the Republican ticket, as one which most closely aligns with their economic believes, it will bode well for all politician’s, lobbyist and corporation regardless of political party to pay attention to the growing clout of the Tea Party. They mean business, and the polls appear to back up the fact that they have the numbers to affect change.
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