With apologies to the group, Stealers Wheel, I believe I've found the perfect anthem for the Tea Party. At least from my perspective. Though not all the lyrics are reflective of the Tea Partiers, the above certainly casts them in the right light. And me, living in the Reddest of the Red States (Not one county in Oklahoma voted for Obama in the general election) and being surrounded in my own neighborhood by people who openly admit they support this incredible group, I definitely feel "I'm stuck in the middle with you", the title of the song that includes those lyrics.
Yesterday, of course, being April 15th, otherwise known as tax day, brought out the crazies in mass. They held their signs and protested just about everything going on in government these days. One of their main causes yesterday was their perceived feeling that President Obama was assaulting "their taxes". None obviously noticed that the president has actually lowered taxes for 95% of the American public since taking office. The other 5% whose taxes were, or would be affected negatively, earn in excess of $200,000 annually. To learn such facts, these folks would have to read a newspaper, a weekly news magazine, or perhaps switch channels from their beloved Fox News channel.
One of the great signs I saw yesterday amid the rubble was one held up high. It said: "Don't steal from medicare to support socialized Medicine". Again, it makes you wonder exactly what the sign-holders concept of "Socialized medicine" is. For if Medicare isn't a part of that nasty "Socialized" program that was pushed through congress by arm-twisting LBJ in the 1960's, I'm at a loss to explain what is. Interesting too, that a great number of these same folks enjoy both their Medicare AND SOCIAL Security benefits while protesting against health care reform.
They are still griping that they will lose their Health insurance and have to take insurance that government imposes on them. Nowhere in the actual bill is this said or implied. One woman here locally also inferred that she would be victim of a death panel when the time came. Still stuck on Sarah Palin 1.0, I guess. I can't understand why these folks think making insurance companies NOT exclude people with pre-existing conditions is a bad thing. Nor making insurance available to people that can't afford it now is bad. After all, they are already paying for it through increased bills via the care hospitals give in providing free care to people that are unable to pay. I mean doesn't everyone know Insurance companies have been ripping us off for years? And hospitals have been padding their bills?
The other sign that caught my eye was this one. It had a lovely message on it: "Gee, a whole lotta white people here today". How nice. On the day civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin Hooks passed away.
The Tea Baggers try to claim that they are NOT bigoted. Not a bunch of crazies. Yet people in their crowd continue to exhibit both bigotry and uninformed messages. They brag that they carry their guns and their religion with them as their standards. Yet, they carry messages of hate and lack of understanding.
These Tea Party people need to stop drinking caffeine-laced tea, and switch to Sleepy Time.
Old Fart Mike
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I love you man. Extremely well said. When I demonstrated in the early 70's we were called anarchists (and a lot worse than that). It may be unfortunate that, for the most part, we now choose not to scream back at these self centered ignoramuses. They wrap themselves in the flag and their faith and in the process desecrate both. America's soul is in jeopardy all right, just not from the threat they think.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteYou definitely are not alone in this world. We too, live amongst the reddest of the reds, all determined not to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the 20th century, yes, I know we are now in the 21st. century but don't hassle these folks with the facts.
I write letters to the local newspaper and they send me hate mail and call my home but I'm not dead yet and will continue attempting to counteract the lies and misinformation spewing forth from "Faux" news and the bloviator, Limbaugh. I don't hate them, I just find it hard to believe that they would believe the propaganda when it is so easy to get to the source of information, with these great gadgets.
I, too, post on blogspot but have never told anyone my url. It is my way of keeping sane.
Cheers, I loved your blog.