Hillarysworld

Sanders · Diamond

"The Tea Party Movement is a Scam" (E.J.Dionne, RCP 9/23/10)

Jen the Michigander · SuperModerator

Having been part of the PUMA movement for two years and now that many of us are concentrating on Hillary 2012, the differences between a true grassroots movement and astroturf is quite clear. We don't have big money donors, experienced political organizers, or celebrity spokespeople, let alone an entire news network. The Tea Party movement has all of these things, which is fine for them. But they cannot convince me that they're just a bunch of ordinary folks who are disillusioned with the current state of the union. There are powerful forces at work there.

freespirit · Moderator

Jen the Michigander wrote:

Having been part of the PUMA movement for two years and now that many of us are concentrating on Hillary 2012, the differences between a true grassroots movement and astroturf is quite clear. We don't have big money donors, experienced political organizers, or celebrity spokespeople, let alone an entire news network. The Tea Party movement has all of these things, which is fine for them. But they cannot convince me that they're just a bunch of ordinary folks who are disillusioned with the current state of the union. There are powerful forces at work there.

Well said, and so true. PUMA got next to zero coverage when it started, and was ridiculed by the few who did know about it. But, the stand we took against the Dem Party in response to the 2008 hijacking of democracy had a more significant impact that most people recognize. And, it continues to have an impact.

Sanders · Diamond

freespirit wrote:
Jen the Michigander wrote:
Having been part of the PUMA movement for two years and now that many of us are concentrating on Hillary 2012, the differences between a true grassroots movement and astroturf is quite clear. We don't have big money donors, experienced political organizers, or celebrity spokespeople, let alone an entire news network. The Tea Party movement has all of these things, which is fine for them. But they cannot convince me that they're just a bunch of ordinary folks who are disillusioned with the current state of the union. There are powerful forces at work there.
Well said, and so true. PUMA got next to zero coverage when it started, and was ridiculed by the few who did know about it. But, the stand we took against the Dem Party in response to the 2008 hijacking of democracy had a more significant impact that most people recognize. And, it continues to have an impact.

So true Jen!

The truth is, there has been a lot of effort -- some quite successful -- to pull many of us PUMAs into the Tea Party endeavors including creation of websites, joining in meetings. How many of us didnt go to a website that did not promise non-partisan discussion to only find that they are completely partisan in their outlook top to bottom... Or to a local or bigger Tea Party meeting to feel uncomfortable there from the get-go and quickly return? Yes, some Independents and Dems joined the Tea Party... but they ended up fueling the far right of the political spectrum with their support, regardless of their good intentions.

We as PUMAs must remain vigilant to not get taken advantage of. Just because a party or website claims to be a grassroots activist or patriot, does not make it nonpartisan. By and large, they are the GOPers pushing social conservative agenda. Look at the money fueling it.. and you know which side they are on.

jdona · Platinum

I don't think the tea party is as small as they say. I think a huge population of moderates have fallen into that movement because they have no where else to go. I think it is dangerous, I think it is growing and I think they are trouble.

Jen the Michigander · SuperModerator

I imagine a lot of moderates will get fed up with the Tea Party movement once they hear enough crazy. Of course, the Tea Party remains the #1 opposition to Ozero, and for that I am grateful. We PUMAs needed and continue to need other forces out there to rally against the fraud. But these wingnuts will turn on Hillary when the time comes, trust me. They won't do it now because, as Sanders pointed out, they want to use PUMAs to promote their own agenda. But I can see it on the horizon. Even in the beginning, the Tea Party did not want any PUMAs out front and center, telling our 2008 story. We're supposed to just roll over and support Sarah Palin. She's a woman, ya know, so she's just like Hillary. Uhhh, no she isn't!