My ears hurt, can we debate now?

Printed in The New Hampshire Oct 8 "From the Right" column Tea Party head-to-head

“Taxed Enough Already.” That was the original mantra behind the T.E.A. Party. The movement builds itself around the pressing reality that our government is going bankrupt and taking our country with it. A very real concern is that we will end up paying the billions of dollars our government has promised but never took the time to find. What's significant about the Tea Party is that it has attempted to force a debate into American politics concerning the important issues of rising debt and over-arching federal power. It is a debate that needs to happen, but has never been able to manifest itself. The very thought of a discussion on the true role of government threatens both Republican and Democratic ambitions alike. Examine the incentives for members of Congress: government grows whether or not your party is “in power” giving more influence on society to all members of Congress, its a win-win! What's disheartening is that the interests of Democratic and Republican members of Congress are very different than the interests of the American people, collectively or individually. When the Democrats are in power they corrupt the system to their advantage; when power shifts to the Republicans they do the same thing. Its no way for a political system to function because it the end the public is left with a government so expansive that it diminishes fundamental human liberties.

Granted, the majority of Tea Partiers are Republicans but many are independent. Some are even Obama voters (yours truly) who were looking for a change in 2008 but never saw it. Disaffected citizens fed up and offended with the state of affairs in American politics and policy. These voters have realized the problem is not between the parties, it is the parties! An ever-growing government with almost unlimited authority to impose on all facets of personal life and the economy sounds dangerous to them. The only options we have are two different sets of prejudices found within the Democratic and Republican parties respectively. That's why most Americans feel as though they must choose the lesser of two evils in the voting booth. The sad truth is that most do.

My colleague over the fold will likely cast off the Tea Party as “racist, sexist and homophobic.” That we can be sure of. The phrase has a nice ring to it. After all, it's much easier to energize and polarize your base with ignorant and emotionally-charged arguments. Both parties do it. Yes, Tea Partiers are more likely to be white, male, and older voters but does that automatically discount their ideas? I refuse to look with such superficiality at a nationwide political movement that has already proven it will play a role this November. Providing the classic fear-mongering that has already infested itself in this year's political debate, Liberals and the media have chosen the Tea Party's most radical supporters and sign-holders as the true leaders of the movement. Unfortunately, their characterizations are off-base. So called “Tea Party candidates” like Senate nominees Christine O'Donnell (DE) and Sharron Angle (NV) have done the same. They happened to spot the legitimate anti-incumbent, anti-Washington fervor sweeping the nation this year and manipulate it to their advantage. Candidates like O'Donnell and Angle are not the best messengers for the movement to return principles to Congress and liberty to the people, they are ambitious politicians who saw a wave of populist upheaval coming and latched themselves onto it to quench their thirst for power.

Believing in the fundamental principle of human liberty does not mean one must be a “Tea-Partier.” If one wants to see the true embodiment of the Tea Party principles today, they would look to Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

In the end, what we need is a debate to limit the role of government in our lives; the Tea Party is that vehicle. Without a debate, we're stuck with an inefficient government with unlimited power and no way to find real solutions. America is in troubling times; we're looking at an ever-climbing national debt, a failing education system, and a stagnant economy with unemployment hovering at 10%. As far as solutions, all we hear about is the latest two-bit bill out of Congress. The first answer to our problems should not be “the government should do it.” We should do it! Passion and entrepreneurial spirit is what makes America great; the freedom to pursue ones passions is essential to our nation's foundation. We shouldn’t elect our representatives for what they give us, we should elect those who will keep us free. Our government has failed us, and its time we let them know!