The professors, Campbell and Putnam, begin their fairy tale by stating the Tea Party is increasingly swimming against the tide of public opinion among most Americans and our brand is becoming toxic. They arrived at these conclusions using polls conducted by the New York Times/CBS News. Given the high self esteem in which Academics hold themselves, one would assume they would have used a more credible source. Really, the New York Times and CBS News? How about a poll on how many Americans, other than the liberal elite, actually read the Times or watch CBS News. The toxic swimming against the tide tea parties are adding new groups and new members daily.
These gentlemen state the Tea Party is even less popular than 23 other groups, among them "atheists" and "Muslims", but the Christian Right is almost as unpopular. Are you grasping the big picture here, Hobbits? Two far left organizations poll people of their choosing and use it to attack those who hold Christian beliefs. They constantly try to dissuade Americans, particularly our young people, of the notion our country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. "One Nation Under God" and "In God We Trust" are mere figments of our imagination, This Hobbit has never been contacted by these people to voice my opinion. How about the rest of you? It's also interesting to note they use "Muslims", not "Islamists".
The article continues on to state "the strange thing is that over the last five years, Americans have moved in an economically conservative direction; they are more likely to favor smaller government, to oppose redistribution of income and to favor private charities over government to aid the poor"; then says none of these opinions are held by a majority of Americans. Now I'm not a lofty Academic, but if the majority of Americans do not hold these opinions, how is it we are moving in a more economically conservative direction in America? It amounts to nothing more than the same incredibly stupid double speak uttered by elitist, leftist Academics with an overrated opinion of themselves.
The learned professors move on to their analysis casting doubt on the Tea Party's "origin story" of being nonpartisan, political neophytes and stating we were highly partisan Republicans long before the Tea Party was born, and were more likely to have contacted government officials. I admit to being a life-long Republican, but adhere to the principles of the true, original, conservative Republican Party, not the RINO, global governance party it has become. We Hobbits may have started as political neophytes, but are neophytes no longer. We admit to being "asleep" while working and raising our families and carry a sense of guilt for what we have let happen to our children, our grandchildren and the country we love. We have developed networks to communicate with each other across the country, we share information and ideas, we stay abreast of pending legislation and, yes professors, we contact government officials. They seem to have lost sight of the fact we are their employers; they are not our rulers.
As so many of the liberal elite, the good professors move on to play the race card stating the Tea Party is overwhelmingly white and we had a low regard for immigrants and blacks long before Barack Obama was president and we still do. Speaking as a white Tea Party Hobbit, among the people I most admire, and never miss reading their columns, are Star Parker, Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams. I have met and spoken with Herman Cain and consider his signing of my pocket Constitution one of the highlights of the past year. I recently had the pleasure of listening to Frantz Kebreau and speaking with him afterward. His book "Stolen History" should be read by every American and be required reading in our schools. I've met and spoken with Lloyd Marcus, a tea party activist. What do all these Americans of color (they do not consider themselves hyphenated Americans) have in common? They are patriotic black conservatives; an anathema to the radical left. They are criticized, belittled and called vile names because they do not ascribe to the ideology of the left. Apparently they are expected to follow the views of the Progressive Black Caucus in Congress; many of whom are acknowledged members of the Socialist Party. Who are the true racists here? Perhaps the authors of this drivel are not aware of the numerous black tea party groups that have arisen across America.
We have grown weary of having to defend ourselves against the charge of racism. We could spend every minute of every waking hour doing so, but they feel this tired refrain is the best ammunition they have. Borrowing from the old line "ignorance is bliss", I say let them ramble on.
As for being against immigrants, we Hobbits are against illegal immigration. There is a difference between legal and illegal immigrants, profs; wait for it, "illegal". The left constantly tries to blur the line by using the terms "undocumented immigrants" or "undocumented residents". Nope, they are still "illegals". Also, for anyone unaware, the Dark Lord's administration instituted the Dream Act by stealth yesterday. ICE will no longer be deporting students brought here illegally. This is in keeping with their manifesto of "if we can't get it passed through congress, we will do it by Decree, Executive Order or regulation.
We Tea Party Hobbits are greatly offended by their ignorance in comparing us to the anti-Vietnam War Movement. I was around during the "free love", "flag burning", "spit on the returning vets" "drugged-out" hippie days. America has been on a downward spiral since. These are the so called "smart people" that have set themselves up as our rulers today. Their views of this country have not changed. They hate America as much today as they did then. You don't see members of the Tea Party walking around in drug-induced stupors, spitting on our military men and women or burning our flag. We are working, productive members of society. We honor those who fight for our freedom. We fly our flags with pride and have a deep abiding love for our Country. They hate us because we are the America they so despise.
The radical left attack those they fear, and if their continuing all out attacks on the Tea Party are any indication, we Hobbits terrify them.
As far as I'm concerned these professors and the New York Times can take this hit piece and put it where the sun don't shine. Here in the Shire, the sun is shining.
We have them on the run, fellow Hobbits. Take pride in your accomplishments.
"Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be Spring soon"
