Excuse my ignorance....

[Robespierre's Jaw]

but who the hell are the "Tea Party"?

I only first heard of them last night when I was watching the Daily Show, so I'm guessing from its name, and being satirised on the show they're some kind of conservative movement that prospered in height of the recent Obama health care reforms. Fellow Americans, enlighten me please!

[The Mikado]

The "Tea Party" movement originated in Spring 2009 out of a variety of different factions, most notably Glenn Beck Libertarians (otherwise known as "fake libertarians) and Sarah Palin fans.  They think that Obama is a fascist, socialist, and communist all at once, and that he is plotting the downfall of the United States.

They were known as the teabagger movement (and even claimed the name originally), but have since abandoned it.  However, that is still the nickname liberals affectionately use for them.

[King]

The Tea Party is whatever you want it to be.

To some, it's a bunch of hockey mom patriot freedom fighters.  To others, it's a bunch of bigoted sore loser McCain supporters.

To me, it's a bunch of coffee drinkers.

[opebo]

Racists enraged by a black as president.

[Barnes]

The "Tea Party" movement originated in Spring 2009 out of a variety of different factions, most notably Glenn Beck Libertarians (otherwise known as "fake libertarians) and Sarah Palin fans.  They think that Obama is a fascist, socialist, and communist all at once, and that he is plotting the downfall of the United States.

They were known as the teabagger movement (and even claimed the name originally), but have since abandoned it.  However, that is still the nickname liberals affectionately use for them.

Mainly this. They started, if I remember correctly, to protest paying taxes (Their original protests were on Tax Day 2009).

[Lunar]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_protests


Google is everyone's friend

[King]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_protests


Google is everyone's friend

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Those Wikipedia articles are = in validity to opebo's view on the matter until proven otherwise.

[Lunar]

What's your complaint about the article?

this one too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement


They're not perfect, but they're pretty in-depth explanations

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

It started with the passing of the stimulus bill, I recall, and concern that the spending would lead to higher taxes for present and future generations.

[King]

What's your complaint about the article?

this one too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement

That it's been labeled for cleanup.  It has it merit, but shouldn't be held up as the end all on Tea Party discussions until it's officially declared by Wikipedia to be up to it's standards.

[Marokai Backbeat]

It started with the passing of the stimulus bill, I recall, and concern that the spending would lead to higher taxes for present and future generations.

A bill made up partially by a ton of tax cuts, for the record. That didn't stop them though.

[justW353]

Yeah, wikipedia has all bias...Here's where you can get the real scoop...

http://www.conservapedia.com/Tea_Party_Movement

Fair and Balanced...

[Bo]

Conservative Republicans who are dissatisfied with Obama's policies and want to seem extremely patriotic and independent.

[Psychic Octopus]

Woah, how do you not know about this Rocky?

It's basically a 'populist' movement advocating lower taxes, an end to bailouts, an end to corporate welfare, and on and on. It's relatively incoherent in its beliefs, but there is a clear idea in the group that Obama is a dangerous radical (Of what has yet to be determined, but most are betting he's a communist, fascist, islamist, or socialist). George W. Bush, the last Republican president, has been disowned by most members, with claims that he wasn't a true conservative, however many claim that he "kept us safe from terrorists after 9/11" and thus have some lingering respect for him.

The movement really started on 'Tax Day' of last year, when the first big event happened, with intense coverage from Fox News, which is subsequently the biggest source of all teabagger news. There is no clear leader, however Dick Armey funds a great deal of events through his PAC, Ron Paul is respected, and Sarah Palin is a leading spokesman. The movement is currently the flavor of the year in America, and is currently 'reshaping' American politics.

Me? I'm not a fan of this movement much at all. Once the economy starts going, the naysayers of the Republican Party will (fairly or unfairly) be blamed for obstructionism, and turning away from the ideals of Reaganistic optimism. At least that is my prediction.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Conor, I'm surprised you haven't heard about the Tea Partiers - it's probably one of the most controversial movements in recent American political history.

[useful idiot]

I was going to type out a response to this, but I have to go run grab my beeper out of the pocket of my Members Only jacket, which I left on the backseat of my Gremlin.

[Holmes]

People who complain about taxes but know nothing about them. They're media darlings.

[Joe Republic]

Don't call them 'Tea Partiers'.  That derogatory nickname was invented to try and derisively compare them to the real patriots of Boston Harbor in 1773.  The appropriate name for them is 'teabaggers'.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Just a bunch of perverted prison escapees