Tax day tea parties set to explode across the nation

image
Ryan JaroncykRyan Jaroncyk
Published: 12 Apr, 2010
2 min read

The tea party movement expects to make another big splash on April 15.  With turnout anticipated to be in the millions, tea party supporters will take to the streets in an effort to revive the long-forgotten concept of fiscal conservatism.

While left-leaning adherents and news outlets will likely mock and ridicule the events, the tax day festivities will be heavily promoted by Fox News and other right-leaning media.  And though the movement's personalities (like Sarah Palin) and partisan diatribes are sure to generate a tremendous amount of controversy, its core principles bear strong consideration by a nation that is running $1.6 trillion budget deficits and mired under $13 trillion of debt.

In the past, I've been critical of the Tea Party movement for its hyper-partisanship and lack of credibility on fiscal conservatism.  Except for the Ron Paul faction, the Tea Party was conveniently silent during the Bush years when deficits exploded, $5 trillion of new debt was added, the US Dollar lost about 20% of its value, the size of the Federal Government grew by leaps and bounds, and the Wall St bailouts were launched.  Then, when Obama, combined with a Democratic House and Senate, took the reins, suddenly deficits, debt, states' rights, and the bailouts began to matter. 

But, as they say, better late than never. 

While the Tea Party is perhaps too motivated by partisan antagonism, the current deficits are undoubtedly too big, the national debt is frighteningly high, Wall St has hijacked Washington DC, and the Federal Government has become a behemoth of monumental proportions. 

America borrows too much, prints too much, and spends too much, both at home and abroad.  As we discovered with the credit, housing, and stock market collapse in late '08/early '09, there are severe consequences to financial profligacy.  If we don't change course soon, America may face a more catastrophic financial collapse in the not too distant future.

So, while most media outlets will present the the Tax Day Tea Parties in a polarized, politically charged light, try and focus on the actual ideas, issues, and potential solutions the movement's leaders and supporters are putting forth.  After all, the movement's platform has drawn the support of at least 13% of Democrats and 28% of Independents, according to a right-leaning polling firm.

If these numbers are accurate, then perhaps the Tea Party is beginning to develop more independent-minded, multi-partisan roots. 

Wouldn't that be a welcome change in American politics?

IVP Donate

 

You Might Also Like

SQ836 supporters
Oklahoma GOP Fails To Block Open Primaries Initiative from Going Before Voters
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously rejected a challenge to a proposed ballot initiative that would open taxpayer-funded primary elections to all candidates and voters, regardless of party affiliation – paving the way for the signature petition process to begin....
17 Sep, 2025
-
4 min read
Supreme Court of the United States
Forward Party Joins Petition to SCOTUS Against State of Florida
Right now, the divide between the Republican and Democratic Parties appears beyond repair. The political rhetoric is toxic, the nation’s leadership puts party gain before lasting solutions, and few voters actually feel heard by the people elected to represent them. At a time when it seems things will only get worse from here, the Independent Voter Project filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court along with Open Primaries and the Forward Party in support of a lawsuit that targets one of the biggest culprits behind all of this....
16 Sep, 2025
-
3 min read
congress flag
Poll: 82% of Americans Want Redistricting Done by Independent Commission, Not Politicians
There may be no greater indication that voters are not being listened to in the escalating redistricting war between the Republican and Democratic Parties than a new poll from NBC News that shows 8-in-10 Americans want the parties to stop....
10 Sep, 2025
-
3 min read