.jpg)
Tea Party Protesters exercise their rights. AP Photo David Becker
For many media outlets the coverage of the 9/12 Tea Party Protest has either been entirely positive or entirely negative. Republicans and conservative groups certainly have every incentive to paint the protest in a glowing light as a shining example of grassroots democracy. Democrats and liberals groups have every reason to paint the protesters out as misinformed or even racist individuals protesting for the wrong reasons.
The truth is that like any large protest most of the people involved have good intentions and are not extremists with racist motivations. Just like liberals should not all be painted with the brush of four ACORN workers conservatives should likewise not all be labeled "racist" because on protester carries a sign with President Obama with a towel on his head. A more realistic viewpoint is to acknowledge that any large group like this will have its good, bad, and ugly side.
The Good
The Tea Party protesters are actively using their rights of free speech and assembly. Their active participation in the democratic process should be applauded when done in a civil manner. Liberals should take note at what the enthusiasm and energy of a movement like this can accomplish. Through the use of their rights these protesters have given conservatives a strong argument which effectively has stalled health care reform up to this point.
In addition many of the Tea Party protesters are genuinely concerned about the power of government and the national debt. The national debt is a serious issue which threatens the the financial and national security of the nation and these people are right to call attention to the issue. I also feel like we need to constantly be on guard against the increasing power of a government and the protection of civil liberties. I personally was much more concerned about this potential under the Patriot Act and President Bush but that is a different issue.
The Bad
Many of these protesters are simply misinformed. When it comes to issue like "death panels" and now coverage of illegal immigrants these protesters accept what is told to them by Palin, Beck, and Limbaugh as the gospel truth while rejecting everything from every other source. When they are told death panels exist they accept this despite no "death panels" appearing in the actual bill and the myth being debunked by numerous non-partisan organizations. I am no big fan of Beck but I will watch his show occasionally and have even applauded his opinion on some occasions. I wonder how many of these protesters give Rachel Maddow a listen every now with an open mind to see what the other side has to say on an issue.
In addition many of the Tea Party protesters seek only to bring down the other side with no realistic solutions of their own. I honestly believe that if you asked most protesters what they would do the solutions would include (1) cutting taxes dramatically (2) increasing funding for the military and border patrol and (3) cutting social programs. Realistically however none of these options are realistic. Decreasing taxes are part of what created the national debt in the first place. The national debt increased most dramatically under Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush both of who cut taxes during their administrations. Cutting "waste" and social programs sound nice but the truth is these cuts hurt real people. When many of the senior citizen protesters understood that cutting social programs meant less Medicare benefits for them they may quickly change their mind on the issue.
The Ugly
The ugly part of these Tea Party protests are the most extreme elements of the cause. As I documented in an earlier piece many individuals implicitly or explicitly make express racist attitudes toward the President. Some compare him to dictators like Hitler. You can argue that health care bill and stimulus plans are destructive to our economy but I do not think the two programs warrant comparison with the final solution which killed over six million Jews. Some of these individuals have let their fears takeover to the point that they now illegitimately make conclusions about Democrats and the President as is shown in the video below.
Once more let me state that I do not believe these people represent the majority of Tea Party protesters by any means. I do believe that the more moderate Tea Party protesters should shame individuals like this, and those carrying racist signs, to change their message. As long as the Tea Party movement allows these radical elements to openly express their message within the Tea Party group the group will fail to gain legitimacy among the population at large.
Comments
Lefties hate it when their own tactics are used against them.
The lack of "death panels" is your own opinion, and contradictory to what the President and other Democrats have claimed. Mrs. Palin's phrase is a concise statement, summing what takes President Obama 30 minutes to say about his commissions (which are in the Bill) into two words. Remember, it was Obama who said, "maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller", in direct reference to his "cost cutting" commissions.
The lack of an opposing solution is either your flagrant dismissal of it, or a buildup of wax in your ears. Our current system has worked quite well for a long time, but increasing bureaucrazy over the last few decades has caused a $5,000 operation to become a $50,000 operation, and a 2 cent aspirin to become a $15 aspirin. When more government is the problem, less is the solution.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana. Obama is compared to Hitler and Chavez, with good reason.
We must continue to educate and debate in an effort to take our county back from greed and corruption. The money to provide baisic healthcare for the poor is already out there. Congress simply has to cut the PORK, FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE. Over 600 million for a visitor center at the Capital. 100 million annually to put sand on beaches that is washed away every year. You give 2 million annually to non for profit healthcare provides in each state and see how far they can stretch it.
I grew up with the Canadian Health Care system and it is great! Many health care stories are exaggerated. Why are the Republicans against something that is so good for their entire families? Is it greed? When you come home from the hospital with your new born there is no bill waiting. Senior care is wonderful providing anything you need. Hospicae and extended care are no charge. Taxes are not high. Drugs are 1/3 US cost.
Tony, there are no death panels - grow up!
[witt]"Once more let me state that I do not believe these people represent the majority of Tea Party protesters by any means."
[Atlanta] But ... I see you passed 1000's of protesters to find this guy, and this is the video you had to post.
If you really believe a lot of the protesters, and even Glenn Beck have some good ideas, then stop defending for the left so hard and help (Rep. & Dem.) fight corruption on both sides in our government.
As long as you keep pointing at Republicans as the only raciest people, and Republicans keep pointing at you as the ones that want the kill unborn babies, we will never be able to do anything together.
Lets work together on what we agree on first (like corruption), and after we have fixed a few problems together, and learn to get along, we can work on some harder problems.
Yes, I am one of the protesters, I'm not a Republican, I live in a blended family, I'm NOT raciest, and it hurts when you keep pointing at the protesters and call us RACIES
I agree that comparing Obama to Hitler and Chavez is not that great a streach and is certenly not racist. We teach our kids of guilt by association and to think before they speak as what you say can not be taken back. Who can legitimately say they do not follow the teachings of someone like Rev. Wright when they continually went back to hear him speak year after year. The man has Marxist / Socialist views. He brought Van Jones in as an advisor and I assure you no one can force the President of the United States to do such a thing.
Well, this article missed its mark I think. People of all colors and parties showed up for all sorts of different reasons. I love Glenn Beck but I am not some mindless sheep who cant think for myself. I just happen to agree with alot of what he says. Also, You dont need Glenn Beck or anyone else to tell you that the government has put us into HUGE debt or their is corruption in Washington. This march was more about getting the corruption out of BOTH parties and out of washington. Dems and Repubs need to be put in check....not just Obama....all of them. Also, when Bush was refered to as Hitler was that racist or unfair? I dont like Bush but lets be fair here.
Mark Steyn recently mused,
"What do all these Obama associates have in common? I mean, aside from the fact that Glenn Beck played a key role in exposing them. We are assured by the airbrushing media and “moderate” conservatives that Beck is crazy, a frothing spokesnut for the lunatic fringe. By contrast, Van Jones, Yosi Sergant, and ACORN are all members of the lunatic mainstream, embedded philosophically and actually in the heart of Obamaland."
Witt, you found someone from the "fringe right". Your "lunatics" run right through the middle.
TO VERA BRUNSWICK IF YOUR HOME COUNTRY OF CANADA HAS SUCH A GREAT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, WHY ARE YOU HERE? DO YOU TRAVEL BACK TO CANADA FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE? I THINK NOT. PERHAPS YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH CURRENT CANADIANS WHO DO NOT SEEM TO SHARE YOUR OPINION. tONY SEENS TO BE THE ONE WHO HAS IT RIGHT AND YOU ARE THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO GROW AND LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU. PLAIN TO SEE IF YOU CARE TO LOOK.
Verna though they should not be necesscerily called death panels they are in H.R. 3200 and have existed inside insurance companies for many years. Their purpose is to control cost which unfortinately we must do. We can not afford to spend hundreads of thousands on each patient just prior to their deaths.
Every member of Congress to some degree is a member of a health care panel.
We have many in our society that fear death so greatly that they or their families are unwilling to let go. We as a society must learn to accept our owne mortality.
THERE IS NO PERFECT SYSTEM!
Have any of you guys watched John Stossels Sick in America on Utube. Watch all 6 episodes. There is common ground for us to find a place to start.
On the news right now they are talking about not providing care for illeagals. Let me tell you folks we do not turn patients who need legitimate care away at the facility where I work. If the government pays directly or not we all pay eventually.
Ill do these one by one so I don't confuse "these folks." And GREAT nonpartisan article by the way Ryan. Thank you for your honest and TRUTH filled take on this Saturday, not your "feeling" or bias "opinion." And I agree with you on Beck. I have watched his show and agree with a number of topics he has brought up, so we do have PROOF that some Americans still have open minds and hearts. Thank you for that.
All these idiots with their "Obama = Hitler" signs and their supporters need to be turned into Jews and transported back in time to Poland or Germany in the 30's. They are in desperate need of education and a sharp shock. The hate and bigotry on display at these gatherings is disgusting.
Carl,
Please elaborate on your comment. Its time we stop with name calling and bipartisanship. Its time for truth and examples, so please state some. And if all you see if left and right, I just feel sorry for you. To show you what I mean, I will give examples and explanations to some lefty "tactics" you may be referring. Obama being compared to Hitler and Bush being compared to Hitler are 2 separate arguments in my eyes. Lefties protesting a war in the Middle East that was, and still is, killing our troops AND other innocent lives is not the same as protesting against healthcare reform that is aimed to save lives and make families cost of living go down here in our own country. It seems to me that most "tactics" used by the lefties are aimed to help the less fortunate and those without a voice. Again, that is just an example. I was in fact for the war when we were trying to track down Bin Laden.
Tony,
The "death panel" issue is in fact not true. That is not Ryan "opinion" as you say. Please refer to this link and get back to us:
Ok, since I cannot post any links, just Google "death panels" and pick any article from a reputable source, ie a newspaper distributer, not someone's blog page...
[witt]"Once more let me state that I do not believe these people represent the majority of Tea Party protesters by any means."
[Atlanta] But ... I see you passed 1000's of protesters to find this guy, and this is the video you had to post.
If you really believe a lot of the protesters, and even Glenn Beck have some good ideas, then stop defending for the left so hard and help (Rep. & Dem.) fight corruption on both sides in our government.
As long as you keep pointing at Republicans as the only raciest people, and Republicans keep pointing at you as the ones that want the kill unborn babies, we will never be able to do anything together.
Lets work together on what we agree on first (like corruption), and after we have fixed a few problems together, and learn to get along, we can work on some harder problems.
Yes, I am one of the protesters, I'm not a Republican, I live in a blended family, I'm NOT raciest, and it hurts when you keep pointing at the protesters and call us RACIES
Hunteroftruth,
Please keep hunting (thought of that all by myself). Please tell me where I can find those facts you stated. I would love to check them out. I do agree both parties are corrupt, but exactly how do you propose we "take our country back?" I have seen and heard plenty of "I want my country back" this weekend, but what are we taking it back from? Im not exactly clear on that? So NO government aid for ANYONE? No need for money to rebuilt our roads and countries infrastructure? No government means no protection from capital greed, and no more mail, no more way for peoples voices to be heard. Of course there is plenty of waste in government and that need to be put to an end, but no one is taking anything away from you dude. You need to sit down and have a nice cut of hot tea to sooth the senses. Get back to us.
Verna Brunswick,
YOU LIE!! I don't believe you!! Not because I have any facts or for any other reason other than that I don't want to...
Hunteroftruth,
Your killing me with all these posts. Time for the Rev Wright comment now. Im sure he spoke about something other than how much white people suck, and they do suck. As a white man myself I know how annoying and crazy white people can think. Just make sure you lie on the census so Obama doesn't know white people live in your household because HE'S COMING FOR YOU!!
Atlanta,
I believe you that your not a racist, but if you attend a protest with people like the man in the video it doesn't help your cause. Also, Ryan is not defending the liberals in this article. Did you read the entire thing? He said there was good, and bad. He brought up both sides. I watched a ton of the Beck show on Saturday and everyone they "interviewed" was yelling about taking American back and don't give illegals health care. There were no real issues brought up other than the deficit, and taxes (which are credible arguments). Correct me if Im wrong, but Obama passed The Making Work Pay Tax Credit earlier this year which put more money in regular Americans pockets. Seems to me Obama is well aware we are in a recession, and wouldnt do anything to jeopardize his reelection or the well being of the American people. He HAD to bail out the financial institutions and GM for the sake of keeping us out of a depression.
mb,
Yes, lets be fair here. Bush IS more like Hitler than Obama....Bush is white. But then again Obama is a great speaker like Hitler. You might be on to something here.
OH!! and as far as people of all colors at the protest....I watched the Glen Beck show which interviewed a bunch of folks and showed the crowd, and I saw mostly white people. Mostly white, old people. Now dont get me wrong, Im sure there were a number of "others" there, but try and tell me it was more than 10%, and im being generous. I think Fox interviewed all2 two black people that attended, and made it a point to get them on tv...comment?
JO,
Whats your experience with the Canadian Healthcare system? Please give us some personal insight and explain your position, or dont...
We are on the same page here. OH! And anyone who refers to our healthcare system as an "industry" makes me want to punch you in the face. Our lives should not be an INDUSTRY! This is a moral issue we are debating and thats why its so heated. If you believe that healthcare is an industry that, by definition, looks to cut ALL costs possible to make a profit, then you dont truly follow the word of god closely enough...
Hunteroftruth says:
Verna though they should not be necesscerily called death panels they are in H.R. 3200 and have existed inside insurance companies for many years. Their purpose is to control cost which unfortinately we must do. We can not afford to spend hundreads of thousands on each patient just prior to their deaths.
Every member of Congress to some degree is a member of a health care panel.
We have many in our society that fear death so greatly that they or their families are unwilling to let go. We as a society must learn to accept our owne mortali
We are on the same page here. OH! And anyone who refers to our healthcare system as an "industry" makes me want to punch you in the face. Our lives should not be an INDUSTRY! This is a moral issue we are debating and thats why its so heated. If you believe that healthcare is an industry that, by definition, looks to cut ALL costs possible to make a profit, then you dont truly follow the word of god closely enough...
Hunteroftruth says:
Verna though they should not be necesscerily called death panels they are in H.R. 3200 and have existed inside insurance companies for many years. Their purpose is to control cost which unfortinately we must do. We can not afford to spend hundreads of thousands on each patient just prior to their deaths.
Every member of Congress to some degree is a member of a health care panel.
We have many in our society that fear death so greatly that they or their families are unwilling to let go. We as a society must learn to accept our owne mortali
Once again they find one nutcase in the bunch..fact is Obama is a liar & has surrounded himself with radicals his entire life. I'll respect YOUR President they way you respected MINE. I'm tired of these libtards screaming "racist" because we don't agree with the way they are taking this Country and we have that right to oppose!
DRUDGE REPORT is secretly a RACIST site too. They do it subliminally with their headlines.
Like this one.
"OBAMA EMBRACES JOE MOMMA"
www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/487518/highRes/49545/-/maxw/600/-/74yrq9/-/biz+update+2+pix.jpg
"OBAMA BLASTS MCCAIN"
www.ccun.org/images/Basic/obama,%20mccain%20after%20last%20debate%2015o8xin.jpg
"HOEIN THE GARDEN" with this picture.
wooddogs3.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/obama-garden-1_1370239c.jpg
DOMESTIC TERROR ALERT
The Federal Government has released a report warning of rising domestic terror activity. Thats right, we are in more danger from WITHIN than anything else. Events such as this weekend should be viewed as possible terrorist recruitment/indoctrination targets. If you know anyone who has attended these events and/or has talked of violence against an officially elected Government, they should be reported to law enforcement for possible placement on a federal domestic terror watch list. Vigilance is required against those who would steal the Liberties of loyal patriotic Americans. Do you want YOUR child, spouse, or grandparent to become a victim of domestic terror?
Report suspicious activity IMMEDIATELY
My liberal friends..keep ignoring the voices of hard working, law abiding,Freedom loving Americans. Keep trying to paint us as radical, rascist Homophobes. But beware their are more of us than there are of you. We love America and the American culture. We don't want that to change. If you want cradle to grave government then there are almost limitless options of countries you can go to. There is only one America. Only one land of the free on earth. Leave it those of us who love it.
some of the people on this blog should get a life. the country can not support everyone on welfare. someone has to work to pay for all these taxes.
Laura,
haha...libtards....haha. Nice. BUT, no one told you that you couldnt protest. Protest that your old and out of touch with the world. I have no problem with that. Just dont expect ANYONE to take you seriously when you hold those kinds of signs and make outrageous comments that stem from your "feelings" and "beliefs" and not actual facts. I know reading hurts, but you have to push through. It gets easier and you "lern stuf."
THANK YOU!!!! We NEED to report ANYONE who is openly talking about acts or violence. Its up to us. Dont let your neighbor keep a kidnapped girl in his back yard!! EVERYONE OPEN YOUR EYES!
DOMESTIC TERROR ALERT
The Federal Government has released a report warning of rising domestic terror activity. Thats right, we are in more danger from WITHIN than anything else. Events such as this weekend should be viewed as possible terrorist recruitment/indoctrination targets. If you know anyone who has attended these events and/or has talked of violence against an officially elected Government, they should be reported to law enforcement for possible placement on a federal domestic terror watch list. Vigilance is required against those who would steal the Liberties of loyal patriotic Americans. Do you want YOUR child, spouse, or grandparent to become a victim of domestic terror?
Report suspicious activity IMMEDIATELY
Silent No More,
Don't call me your friend..I am a jobless, law breaking,Freedom hating American gay. Just kidding about the gay part, but threw it in there for affect. So, if im a Lib, then I am all the things I just listed by default? Great logic. More of you then us? Then where were all of you in the 2008 election? Oh wait!! Thats right, Obama stole votes in Florida in which his blood relative was the Governor...
bob warnick,
F Yea Bob! Better get to it!! Im sitting at home with no job and I have a root canal I need done. Mind putting in some OT so I can get a grill? Sorry that joke was wasted on the old white folks.
Healthcare as a industry for profit. Hope your not a christian man Bob, because that would be a conflict of interest. Claiming to be a man of god and then not giving a crap about your fellow man? Dosnt sound very godly to me. And how about Obama just takes back the tax credit we got in the beginning of the year to just MATCH the same tax rate we had under Bush and then its all paid for. Or do you just want as much as you can take and not give anything back? Have you thanked Obama yet for that tax credit?
Seriously?
Stop with the "Death Panel" thing. Of course there is nothing mentioned in the health Bill about "Death Panels"...how dumb do you think they are. Conservitives understand that there is no offficial group called the "Death Panel" in the Legislation. However, there will HAVE TO BE cut offs by either age or health status on certain procedures. Some one (whatever their name) will have to make life and death desicions. Even Private Health care has these criterias. The difference is with private insurance, you can always find another provider or even pay cash for a procedure. However, with a government run system, (especially single payer)there is no other choice than to follow the rules and die.
Whether or not there is a 'death panel' issue in the Obamacare health doesn't matter because the fact is this: WE CAN'T AFFORD HIS HEALTH CARE PLAN!!!
Obama is going to bankrupt this country.
Diane,
We have been bankrupt for a while now. Obama is not going to bankrupt this country, so stop it. If you didnt consider us bankrupt at the end of Bush's term then why start now? So your fine with spending Billions with a B on the wars we are fighting, but healthcare for ALL Americans is crazy? Hope you dont call yourself a Christian...
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!