It’s Past Time for a Third American Political Party, or a Fourth – Ending the Gridlock in Washington and the Stranglehold on the Public by Two Political Parties.

From a March on Washington circa 2010 - The Tea Party - image realhonestthinking.com

When one thinks of political parties in the United States, two come to mind, the Democrats and the Republicans, there are “fringe” parties, or smaller parties who are on ballots from time to time, and hold conventions, but gain little traction. The reasoning is myriad, but the opportunity for the American Public to enjoy a true Democratic Republic is not an option without more choice when it comes to sending elected officials off to do the people’s bidding in Washington, in the State Capital, and now with polarization so deep, in the City Council. It is not as if there hasn’t been talk of a third party, nor is it a fact that third parties don’t exist, they do, but the conventional wisdom also exists that if a third party candidate wants to gain traction, that candidate must “attach” themselves to one of the major parties in order to get elected.

The Libertarian party has been around for a while, membership has increased since its founding in 1971. The Libertarian principals are a mix of left and right, fiscal conservatism, with an anti-war message that should resonate with the public to a greater degree, but the most visible Libertarian this past election cycle, was Republican Congressman, Ron Paul.

Ron Paul, a Libertarian, had run as a Republican, and remained solidly Libertarian while doing so; yet, fell into the trap of attaching himself to one of the major political parties.

Recently, former Presidential Candidate Herman Cain called for the formation of third party:

The former pizza executive figures that it’s possible to link up with a few other people uncomfortable with President Barack Obama:

“There are just as many disgruntled Democrats, that would probably be a part of this movement, as there are Republicans who are sick of the political class. So I think it is more viable today than it has ever been.”

(Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Herman Cain is right, there are disgruntled Democrats, Republican’s, Green Party and Libertarian Party members and those “unenrolled” or independents voters who are fed up with the two party systems, but where to go from here?

Herman Cain suggests that ”a large faction of Republican Party leaders to desert the party and form a third, more conservative party.” (Outside the Beltway), which would be an extensions of the Republican Party, but it is an option, if those ‘Party Leaders” could be pried from the main party, and give up all the perks associated with a major political party. That’s a tall-order.

Especially when there is a ‘party in waiting’, so to speak, one that has been vilified in the press, and specifically by the Democrats, used by the Republican Party and then maligned by that same body – the Tea Party.

The Tea Party is a cobbled group of three or four main bodies, which members of these Tea Party’s are in all fifty states. But, and here’s the but, they are not, for the most part, political in nature, rather observers at this point, even if they have tea party members who are now elected officials, they are elected officials that are also Republicans! Here we go again!

It would take some time for these similar yet competing interest to form a coalition, and get the party organized – and they can do it, down to the prescient level, and in short order.

The Tea Party is full of as many “crazy” people as is the Republican Party or the Democrat Party, or name a party, but those who are on the fringe are held up as the norm and nothing could be further from the truth.

Tea Party meetings tend to generate interest, and those that appear tend to be independents, disgruntled Republican’s, Disgruntled Democrats, Libertarians, and a host of small regional party members.

The Tea Party, in other words, has the bodies on the ground, and the wherewithal to raise the funds, to organize to the precinct level, get Tea Party Candidates, on the ballot in every state, also within short order.

It takes leadership, and it takes work and gumption, and that is in abundant supply in the various tea party groups around the country. They need to stop running as Republican’s, divest themselves of the stigma, and run on their own. (They also need to stop running as Democrats, as that’s the other pathway to the office taken in States where there’s an abundance of Democrats.)

The Players:

Tea Party based in California

Tea Party Patriots Listings of Local Tea Party’s by States, the “grass roots” of the Tea Party

And

The Tea Party Express also based in California, and is the most visible of the Tea Party Groups

All of the above referenced call themselves “movements’, rather than a Political Party, enjoying the “clout” of electing individuals to office (Republican cover), the move to being an official party, given the scope of the organizations, would not be t the 20 year recognition project that has stymied the growth of the Libertarian Party.

The Elephant in the Room - The common misconception is that if the Tea Party were to go out on its own, so to speak, it would pull voters away from the Republican Party and allow the Democrats to win. Perhaps, but then again, perhaps it would also attract those Democrats who are already members of the Tea Party (see disgruntled) and would be attracted to the Tea Party platform of fiscal conservativism, and individual liberty. They are anti-over-taxation.

What if the Tea Party evolved and ran for state and local offices? They might win, given the organization and messaging that is more inclusive than exclusive. Without taking the chance, and that goes for any organization that is considering the formation of third party, the present system will remain. Is that acceptable?

If one is in Massachusetts, there is a list of Tea Party organizations one can either join, or visit to find out more about how crazy they are not: MassTea Party.org

The Message the “Tea Party Is Over” – Not Quite Right – Wishful thinking from Dems and Big Spend Republicans – The Tea Party – The Next Party - Opin

The Tea Party - Visits Washington DC - Dismissed by Media, Carried by C-Span - image realhonestthinking.com


Of course, the Tea Party isn’t officially a political party yet – it is more of a loosely based, national movement, with a variety of spokespersons, most of whom are conservatives, some social, some fiscal, some both. As a group – they represent those that work for a living, pay taxes, and are as diverse a political movement as they come. Having looked at the Tea Party from its early stages, when a few hundred thousand people showed up at various locations across the nation to protest taxes – thus the moniker TEA Party (Taxed Enough Already), to the present stage of greater organization, and greater dismissal from the left and the right – they are often pronounced weakened, redundant, or simply non-existent by those who would like to see them simply go away. That includes the two major political parties. The Democrats, who are often the target due to massive spending (see Fiscal Conservatives), and cannot fathom a protest group, whose members, some of which might even be stay-at-home mom’s – have a better grasp of the Constitution than say – certain members of Congress. In 2010, the drubbing taken by the Democrats in Congress was largely at the hands of Tea Party candidates – who ran as “Republicans”.
The Republicans, on the other hand, are being co-opted, they more than the Democrats (as far as anyone knows) has a real beef, as the nervy Tea Party candidates, run as Republican’s and have a habit of running against their entrenched politicians. Sure they are Republicans, but they are in favor of spending, pork projects, and that does not fly with the Tea Party. Not unlike Libertarians, Tea Party candidates will run as Republican’s as it is a brand – that’s so far. In states where there may not be a large enough Republican Brand – they may even be running as Democrats. The point for the Tea Party - get elected to office and “fix” the legislature - One big point of order – they firmly believe in a limited government run by, no kidding, citizen legislatures - In other words, the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

As of now, there are Tea Parties in every state and hamlet in this nation – with a few exceptions – to locate a Tea Party – See theteaparty.net/locate a tea party group, or www.teapartypatriots.org where one can “find a local group” by zip code from their home page. As of today, in both instances, there are 56 Tea Party Groups in Massachusetts.

Organizing the groups in 50 states as they group and coalesce could see a distinct third party develop, one with a strong local organizations, with candidates in place, including those elected to office as either Republicans or Democrats on a par with the other two main parties who now control the U.S. Government – within two to three years – and that’s a conservative estimate – no pun intended.
The best instance of denial: James Carville, pundit of the left, Democrat operative, and contributor on a cable news is suggesting that the “Tea Party is Over”. This is about a race in New York State, the 28th District, and Carvel wants that District firmly in Democrat hands - so he paints a picture in a fund-raising email the Democrat Candidate Louise Slaughter, basically stating the annoying Tea Party isn’t gone yet, and the Democrats need money to fight them – he goes on to suggest that they are aligned closely with Republicans and that “big money” is funding their election efforts. Nice Try. Maggie Brooks (www.maggiebrooks.com) is running against Louise, but on a platform that is decidedly fiscally conservative. She appears to be more Republican on the surface – yet, compared to Louise, www.votelouise.com Ms. Brooks does appear to be a rubber stamp politician, rather more of a citizen – the standard fare of issues (women’s rights, war in Afghanistan, and especially: Protecting America from the Republicans) , is decidedly partisan, and is exactly the type of politician that will go to Washington and be a rubber stamp. Which may be why the Democrats are a tad concerned about those “Tea Party” candidates taking away their ability to stonewall and spend.

On the flip side, Redstate.com, offers a look at a little watched primary in Oklahoma – the 1st district - A little known, underfunded, citizen runs against an entrenched Republican who is big on subsidies, somehow, to everyone’s surprise, upends the incumbent. The incumbent ran on farm subsidies, which, one would think would be huge in that district, however, the challenger, Tea, ran on conservative principles (getting the fiscal house in order, ending those subsidies and balanced budgets). Red State’s reporting suggests that even those who are receiving government benefits (subsidies), are willing to give them up to have someone in office that will work to get the Federal Deficit under control and limit government growth.

The Tea Party – members do not discriminate, be it a Republican or a Democrat, and once they are organized into wards and precincts, city by city, state by state, they will be, more than probably the most popular political party – despite the negatives in the Press, or perhaps because of them.


A Tea Party Meeting in Concord, NH - images muellerstuffblog

A Gallop Poll on Political Parties suggest that voters, in general, are sick of both major parties, and are registering as independents, in fact, independents (or non-affiliated, or unenrolled), are growing – in January of this year 40% considered themselves non-affiliated. . There exists a growing distaste for the two major political parties, and the time is right, from an historical perspective, for a new party to emerge. The Tea Party, at this point, is the strongest, best organized of the bunch of ideological parties (Libertarian, New Party (Communist), Socialist Party, Green Party to name a few) and as members of the aforementioned (obviously Communist and Socialist would not vest themselves in a Party that is for limited government growth), align with the Tea Party, adding disgruntled Republicans, and disgruntled moderate to conservative Democrats (they exist), as well as those who are tired of the two-party system (see 40%) this could be one heck of a party.

Which is not news to James Carville, or to those entrenched Beltway Republicans and Democrats who on the one hand dismiss and one the other, embrace tentatively – so far – simply because they are portrayed as Republican in nature. That is partly true, if the Republican Party was still Lincolns Party, but...that ship sailed a long time ago. They are who they are, and it is refreshing to see these “guerilla politico’s” taking on the establishment in true “revolutionary” style. This is going to be another one of “those” years, 2010 was just a warning shot (See Concord), 2012 will be Yorktown.

*Note: If one has never attended a “Tea Party Meeting” one might want to give it a try – especially if one is under the impression that it is a rather rag-tag bunch of crazy people (see press). The meeting might consist of educational sessions, speakers of noted pedigree lecturing on the economy, or perhaps a three part series on Communism and the development in the 1930’s, or perhaps a course on the Constitution. There may be local political activism, as in reviewing candidates for election, inviting them to speak, going over their issues. One might find discussions on growth and membership, as well as involvement in grassroots organizing, and charitable works on a very basic local level. It’s almost as if one has walked into an Urban “Grange” (if one is in a “City”). Members are from all political parties, but basically unenrolled (Massachusetts) - and all have a goal – to learn – to become active – from the least to the greatest.

Are there crazy people who populate the Tea Party – of course, but on the flip side, take a look at duly elected officials from both Major Political Parties and compare – or their supporters, even better, and it’s all fairly normal, more normal than either major Party would care to admit.


Tea Party Meeting and Recruitment in Brooklyn - image the midwoodblog

Maxine Waters (D-CA-35) Up for Re-Election in 2012 – Tells Fan Club – “Tea Party Can Go To Hell” – Tea Party Grows in Stature

Maxine, a career politician, will be up for re-election for a 12th term in the U.S. Congress in 2012, and she’s hot on the campaign trail. In a “town-hall” style meeting in her district, Waters gave a rousing speech before a group that the Daily Caller referred to as: “attendees sporting purple SEIU T-shirts.” (See video from Daily Caller)



Maxine and her peer Charles Rangel (NY15) both faced ethics charges in Augsut of 2010.

Water’s remarks most likely stem from comments made by Col. Allen West, a Republican representing

"You have this 21st century plantation that has been out there where the Democrat party has forever taken the black vote for granted. And you have established certain black leaders who are nothing more than overseers over the plantation. And now the people on that plantation are upset because they’ve been disregarded, disrespected, and their concerns are not cared about," Rep. Allen West (R-FL) said on FOX News. “. (Real Clear Politics with video)

Water’s appears to have taken offense, however, when one looks at the statistics, Water’s has a point, African American’s as a U.S. tracked “Class”, appear to have higher rates of unemployment. It is not so much that African American’s are on West’s virtual plantation, other “classes”, women, Catholics, union employees (11% of the U.S. Workforce), and college students, are considered Democrat by virtue of “perceived ownership” by the DNC. West was merely pointing this “ownership” in language that was clear and to the point. (Much like Comedian Bill Cosby has been known to do, and has been largely criticized, again by the professional west, for his conservative leaning comments.

The Tea Party appears to have replaced the “Red Menace” (also known as Republicans) as the “political party of choice” when it comes to DNC rhetoric as of late. This phenomenon clearly gives the Tea Party equal status in the eyes of a public, increasingly wary off “politics as usual” from the two main Political Parties’ in the U.S. and it is growing.
Maxine, and others of her “ilk” (i.e. Progressive Democrats), most likely do not have time to watch pollsters – a recent NBC Wall Street Journal (Talk about strange bedfellows), poll where 21% of the Public approve of the job Congress is doing, 33% either highly or somewhat approve of the Democrat Party, with the Republican Party faring less well at 24% (combined), and the Tea Party being the main competition at 30% (combined). (Data from August 2011). Apparently, Maxine does not approve of the Peoples Movement to bring fiscal sanity to the nation. The shot she made at the Tea Party was most likely a generalization and directed to Alan West, who was elected to Congress in 2010, as part of the Tea Party movement.

The beauty of this whole schematic, is that Waters, and other Progressives, will have a difficult time using the much overused “race card” with West for obvious reasons. What is most hypocritical of Maxine is that these same sentiments have been echoed in past elections by other professional leftist, who looked to the Republican Party to provide leadership that was lacking in the DN and inclusion lacking in the DNC (Google News Archives, the Vindicator)

The problem for both major parties, from a moderate (independent) point of view, is that ownership of certain “classes” (this is derived from the Progressive school of thought, there are elites, and then there are “classes” underneath them), belong to certain parties ideologically and this “myth” is perpetuated by the media. The last time anyone checked, no political party “owned” any specific group, the notion of categorizing the American Citizen as a specific “ethnic, racial, or gender based “minority", is ludicrous, simply to the fact that all American’s have equal treatment under the Constitution as well as oversight by several government agencies, tonsure that every “class be treated” equally.
Are there racists, sexists, bigots, and the like still residing in the U.S. – of course, and that will always be the case, ignorance, as they say, is bills. However, how much different is the “bigotry” of individuals like Maxine, when painting the Tea Party (specifically Col West.) with such a broad brush? There simply is no difference.
The Tea Party is comprised of individuals from all political affiliations who are mainly fiscal conservatives, at first, loosely organized into groups, now having gained power within a short span of less than two years, placing sixty members in Congress. Should they organize by precinct/ward, state and become fully chartered as a national party, it would come as no surprise, if they eclipsed enrollment in both national political parties. That’s at least a year away, however, it is possible that this strictly grassroots, fiscal conservative, constitutional “people’s party” will do just that.

Which is why those on the Left are fearful, and those on the right, embracing the Tea Party in instances where elections are at stake, and they share a similar ideology. (Note: Tea Party candidates, as well as Libertarians, tend to run as a Major Party candidate, due to numbers, not unlike Green Party, or Progressive Socialist running as Democrats, due to shared ideology and numbers – it is the lack of foundation to those who hold ideals from smaller parties, that allows them to pair with a political party that is closer in ideology than another.) Should the American Public have to choose between three parties, or even four, would not our elections become more diverse, and would not the outcome be more true to the nature of our Constitution?

One fact that cannot be disputed: The Tea Party had nothing to do with the Debt Ceiling Fiasco. Democrats controlled Congress for two years prior to Obama being elected President, and for two years with Obama in control of the White House, for those four years, the Democrats failed to pass a balanced budget, reduce spending, or attempt to get deficits under control. The Tea Party was merely stating the obvious. Apparently the general public concurs.

2012 GOP Presidential Contenders – Trump, Palin, Romney, Pawlenty and Huckabee - Media Analysis and Update

Trump in Good Company - Ronald Reagan Depicted as a Clown - image: publicly funded PBS.org


A Boston Herald article by Rachelle Cohen, entitled “No Trump-ing Obama”, notes that there are so many candidates and potential candidates for the GOP nomination, none of them attracting more than 19% of the total, that Obama should be pleased indeed and easily reelected. The logic belies the fact that out of the myriad field of contenders, only one, to date has announced an exploratory committee, one Mitt Romney. Additionally, what is of more import perhaps is that regardless of how one feels about any one of the “candidates”, at the least, they are taking time out of their lives to run for public office (or think about it, more to the point). What it does leave the nation with are choices, and as far as the media whining about not having a front runner this “late” in the game, are perhaps not familiar with the history of 2000, where major contenders did not announce until August, and the field was full, both Democrat and Republican. Although Al Gore was a given, due to the fact that he was the Vice President under Clinton, he still had challengers, and the simple fact is, having challengers helps the public to winnow out the chaff from the wheat so to speak.

Just follow the polls, the general public is already talking through them, and the fact is, they are split as no one has officially declared (exploratory committee is not a campaign committee). The same was true in early 2007 when politicians began to line up to run or be expected to run:
In 2007 the field of Democrats included: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel. The Republican field included: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter. It was not until well after the first primaries in 2008 that front runners emerged on both sides and the race was off and running.

Understanding that Obama and Company (the Campaign, not the President per se), and the media, have intentional short memories, it is good to remind the lot of them that having 5 candidates a year before the first primary takes places results in numbers similar to those 19% leads currently held by 2012 GOP “potential candidates”.

That said, one cannot stress enough the fact that, those that run, do so out of conviction and love of country, they must, regardless of how many times someone calls an individual a myriad of insulting and most often misleading “names”, it remains reasonable that unless one wanted the job of overseeing the finances and well-being of this Great Nation, losing 10 years off one’s life in less than 2 years, and taking a ration of utter crap from the press, they would not be doing so for any “publicity stunt”, especially since, in viewing the field of GOP contenders, not one seems hard pressed for personal cash, fame and or the need to put up with the crazy people in the general media.

As it is the end of the week, it was important to point out the fact that the current crop of “potential candidates for the GOP” are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, getting the attention of “likely GOP voters”, and the press can write and report on the lack of front runners all they like, until such time as one of those running, pulls out with a majority in a poll conducted by any reasonable pollster, at the right time, the polls running now, are akin to taking a pulse on a patient that is literally in a coma, until they wake up and announce their intent to run officially. At that point, one can bet the house, those 19% leads will be, if the announced candidate is the choice of those voting with the GOP, multiplied by, at the least 60 percent, to the 30’s, and as the next one appears, those numbers will go up and down, until the debates, which, incidentally a decade ago, were held in October of the year prior to the election. One’s stock would rise upon winning the Iowa Caucus and or the New Hampshire Primary, or perhaps not until one has been though the winnowing field of South Carolina.

Meanwhile, Obama has recycled his Campaign from 2008, the price of gas is about to go to $5.00 and beyond, unemployment has not moved, the dollar is declining and inflation is on the rise, never mind key topics like the Health Care Bill that the majority of the public continues to rail against. Who’s zooming who? (Taking a line from the great Aretha Franklin.)

What are those that have a toe in the GOP Presidential Water up to this coming week?

The Donald, who is serious as a heart attack, will be in Florida at a Tea Party Rally in Boca Raton, with Congressional Representative Allen West Judging from emails received by this blog in unprecedented amounts over the past week, The Donald is running the gamut of approval by the entire spectrum of political strange bedfellows. An expert from one enthusiastic Bay Stater enthusiastically noted: “ I also believe The Donald will be our next President. He is starting to get the " Reagan treatment" by the press. He has already been depicted as a clown.” (See Cartoon of Reagan above from PBS).

Trump was to attend a small rally in Boca, which, once news got out that he was going to attend, turned into a much larger crowd, the event had to be moved in order to accommodate the increased interest in Trump. He is also set to announce his bid (according to a variety of reports) after or immediately following the final NBC Apprentice show, which, with Neilson checking heads, might give an indication of interest vis a vis ratings for Trump. On the Trump – Obama Birth Certificate Issue – it’s being overplayed by the press – so much so that the obvious vitriol towards Trump is helping, not hurting him. It is also a matter of fact that Trump is merely expressing an opinion, shared by many, that there might be more to the issue of the Presidents Constitutional Eligibility to hold the office. Therein lays the crux and the confusion. Although this blog advocates leaving that issue lay, the fact remains that the Constitution is clear on one fact, No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.” Therefore, there is a litmus test, so to speak. One cannot merely be a citizen, one must meet certain credentials. Of course, a great deal depends on how one views the Constitution, either as written in stone, or interpretive. Regardless, the right to question, is guaranteed by the First Amendment (the one upon which the Press relies). Trump is merely expressing an interest in the subject as well as defending the Constitutional rights of others to do the same. Good for him.




Sarah Palin, who has lost some of the limelight given the entrance of the Donald will be at a Tea Party rally in Madison Wisconsin, home of the stand-up to unions Governor Scott Walker, and now home to many transplanted SEIU paid personnel who are there to stand up for the rights of the people who pay their salaries (i.e. Wisconsin Public Employees). It should be interesting; those on the left apparently are planning a counter rally to the Tea Party.

Mitt Romney is faced with trouble in his own back yard - Massachusetts Conservatives (i.e. Libertarians, the rank and file Republicans and those who identify themselves as conservatives, aren’t throwing their support behind Mitt. Romney is not, apparently attending any Tea Party Rally in the Bay State, but his competition is:

Former Minnesota Govenor, Tim Pawlentywill be in Boston for the Tea Party Rally on tax day (April 15th), with a trip to New Hampshire planned.

Finally, the man who runs strongest in national polls (Gallup) (until recently – see tied with Trump), former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee is takings some heat for his support of in-state tuition for those here in the nation not quite legally – his premise, children of illegal immigrants (which may mean these students are American Citizens, by the way), should be eligible for in-state tuition, as it would expand the tax base, as they would gain employment, rather than an EBT card. Although this logic drives the “right of right” insane, especially those in certain presidential candidate opposition camps, Huckabee has a point.

(Side Note: during a recent interview, Donald Trump noted that the border problems could be fixed, by putting our military on the border (agreed), and then deciding, on a case by case basis those illegally in the nation’s ability to stay or be deported – the criteria, productive, stay, criminal go. (Agreed!).

Health Care Fix Bill to Return to House Amidst Alleged Threats to House Democrats - Analysis

Progressive Democrats, Blinded by Ideiology, Failed to Understand the Angst of the American Elecotrate, and are now suprirsed by threats - image icis.com

The Health Care Reform Billis going back to the House, due to amendments that violate Congressional Budget Rules. Senate Republicans found two rules in the Bill that involved the government takeover of the student loan industry. Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, will remove these provisions and a vote is expected in the Senate today. The Health Care Reform bill was signed into Law by President Obama prior to any “fixes” taking place – the bill, moved through the House as part of a reconciliation or budget procedure. Once the Senate approves the bill it goes back to the House for final approval. The House approved the bill only after Obama promised Pro-Life Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak, that he would sign an “Executive Order” banning the use of public funds for abortions. The Executive Order carries little to no weight as it is not considered a “law”. In addition, Stupak’s district received several million dollars in grants two days prior the House vote. Once Stupak agreed to a “yes” vote on the Bill, the balance of the pro-life Democrats followed suit, votes which were critical for passage. Now that the bill goes back to the House a second time, the question remains, if the House does not approve the Senate version, does the Bill Obama sign have legs to stand on?

Certain members of the House are now claiming that they are being threatened for voting yes on the original reconciliation bill. Alleged threats to members of Congress, made by unknown sources, have apparently become so severe that Democrat Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (MD), has decided to use the issue as a political football, asking Republicans to condemn attacks on Democrat House members. Hoyer, a day late and a dollar short, missed the fact that Minority Leader, John Boehner (R-OH), had already done so, explaining that American’s are angry but should channel that anger into the voting booth. Boehner has emerged as a solid leader in the Congress and will, in all likelihood, become the next Speaker after the 2010 elections.

The threats range from a coffin placed “near” the home of a Missouri Democrat, to threatening calls placed to members including the author of Deem and Pass, Louise Slaughter (NY). How concerned are Progressive Democrats? A Colorado Representative Betsy Markey, has asked for increased security around her home – just in case it might be vandalized. Why the focus on tying the Tea Party to the Republican Party in these alleged threats? It is a matter of self-preservation for the Progressive Democrat Party.

Progressive Congressional Democrats should have been prepared for this type of backlash. Over the summer of 2009, scores of Town Hall meetings were held across the country, where citizens from all political parties gave voice to their concerns and rejections of a nationalized health care bill. Some of these forums became so contentious that many of the House Democrats cancelled or refused to attend Town Hall meetings. In addition to pressure from those who did not support the bill, the pressure on the same Democrats from members of unions, special interest groups and especially the White House and Congressional Leadership was just as intense. They knew, well in advance, that this type of backlash was probable. However, the Democrats, instead of admitting that the bill is a problem for more than half of the population, (including members of their party), pressed ahead, with ideology a major motivator for some, and bribery for others.

Who do Progressives blame? They blame members of the “Tea Party” movement, which is wrongly and intentionally tagged as part and parcel of the Republican Party. The Tea Party movement is a coalition of citizens who are disenfranchised from all political parties, and will only support incumbents or candidates that have similar ideals. The makeup of the body is a combination of Republicans, Democrats and especially independents or unaffiliated voters. The Tea Party movement is running its own candidates in several districts, which gives rise to the theory that the “movement” will eventually evolve into a political party, if it has not has not already done so.

The threat to the Progressive Democrats is significant; it appears that they will lose the House and possibly the Senate in 2010, which will allow the Tea Party to grow its base as a significant third party. Should the trend continue and the Progressives lose additional seats in both the House and the Senate (it is almost certain at this point the White House will have a new occupant in 2012), the party will be marginalized to the point where an opening exists for the emergence of a new strong national party. This is where the “alleged” threats are being used to try and demonize and marginalize both the Republican and Tea Parties at the same time.
Therefore, when the bill goes back to the House on Friday, House Democrats “defying” threats and voting for Reform, may see themselves (or be promoted as) hero’s for facing down the “angry mob”, that said, the American Public has already formed an opinion on this particular issue and those not in favor of the Bill, will simply use the ballot box in November as a way to make their point. As to those threats, should they prove credible, it is the level of anger and angst by members of all political parties, including the unaffiliated that gives rise to these actions.

No one individual’s fringe reaction makes an entire political parties or movements responsible and the public is well aware of that fact. They are also aware that those who voted Yes most likely would face threats from the less than sane citizens on both sides (Progressive who did not think the Bill went far enough and members of all parties who felt the Bill went too far), and should have expected the backlash, and taken measure ahead of the vote, to protect themselves. Therefore, to cry foul now, makes those who should have been prepared, appear foolish in hindsight. To hold press conferences and release statements, these members are setting themselves up for more of the same, it is most probable that public sympathy may not improve; Congress is shown in the polls as the least liked body politic in the nation.

Therefore, a simple statement of facts, lacking hysteria and finger pointing would have done more good for the Progressives (Democrats) than the current tactic. It is doubtful that any members of the House who voted yes on Health Care Reform, will change their vote, therefore, this is all politicized eyewash. Additionally, those who feel the need to threaten an elected official and especially a family member of an elected official should be shown to the nearest rubber room.