Does the 'Tea Party' movement need a new name?

**jviehe** · 06-06-2011

Originally Posted by noahath

The "Tea" in Tea Party actually stands for "Taxed Enough Already".

If the mantra of the Tea Party is really about taxation with representation, then why haven't tea-party caucus members in congress introduced bills to give congressional representatives from D.C., Puerto Rico, etc, the right to vote, instead of just the right to be present? Residents of these provinces pay tax to the US government, but do not get a vote on how those taxes are spent.

My understanding of the 'true' Tea Party is that it is about lowering taxes, and reducing the role of the federal government. The problem is that they have been over-run by conservative fringe extremists, and the message is being lost in the 'noise'.

Because caucus members arent really consistent? Not to mention, someone has submitted that bill, and PR does not want a vote. They like their semi autonomous country.

**Dilettante** · 06-07-2011

Originally Posted by fishjoel

I think you're ignoring the 500lb gorilla in the room. They lived under a tyrannical government. The colonies were frustrated with how they were being treated. You're focusing on this one singular act and the response to that act and ignoring the context of the whole. This event did no happen in a vacuum.

Well that raises two questions:
1) Does that mean that acts of terrorism against non-military targets are acceptable in the face of legislative tyranny?

and

2) Is such an act of terrorism really the thing the Tea Party Movement wants to name themselves after? I mean, is it a threat? And the Tea Party members ARE represented by the government. Again, I'm not sure it makes sense as a label.

**Dilettante** · 06-07-2011

Originally Posted by Hoplite

The originators of the tea party ignored the fact that the Tea Act didnt do anything to them, that it lowered the cost of something they used frequently, and made their lives easier. They took a practical solution that benefited them and then skull-fucked it because it wasnt exactly how they wanted it.

Well...I wouldn't go that far. The Tea Act did effectively allow the EIC to create a monopoly on the sale of tea, so merchants who weren't chosen by the Company were kind of out of luck.
More importantly, the Tea Act came with a serious crack-down on smuggling and some objectionable changes to the judicial system with regard to prosecuting smugglers (Britain had noticed the Boston juries flatly refused to convict even blatant, obvious smugglers).
Still, I'm not sure such an act legitimates the massive destruction of property by a mob...

**JDJarvis** · 06-07-2011

Originally Posted by wooyarn

I think the Tea Party is slowly losing support. Before the last election when I had to go to town, I'd see lots of Tea Party signs in people's yards. The last several times I haven't seen any signs at all.

I don't see any Democrat or Republican signs either. Becasue, there is no immediately pending election.

**Sir Drinkalot** · 06-07-2011

How about re-naming it A Bunch of Swivel-Eyed Loons Who Thought It Would Be A Good Idea to Dress Up as Indians, Board a Ship and Throw the Entire Contents of Perfectly Good and Precious Tea into the Water Rather Than Drinking It Because They Had Nothing Better to do With Their Time Party?