Tea Party view..

I wonder how many critics of the Tea Party, including Mr. Conason, attended a meeting or spoke directly to a member, or even appreciate the real concerns they have.

Probably none, critics usually don't know much more than what they "learn" through media channels, which at best is suspect.

When Congress causes problems through legislation why should the citizens be confident in its ability to fix them?

Some of the concerns anyone who cares about our country should share......
The stimulus bill has left our economy no better than before, and with another $2 trillion billion in debt, and being told "it could have been worse" (How reassuring)

When the public is told about the "shovel ready jobs" which the president almost two years later says did not exist.

When political-speak adds a new term....jobs "created or saved", which cannot be proven.

The health care bill being toted as an improvement to the private system which provides coverage for the all workers and a supplement to Medicare.

Since it passed we have seen insurers and employers delaying notification to customers and employees as they attempt to figure out the impact of the new bill.

Or the selective bailout of  banks and auto, and the targeted incentives to others, "green", while the majority of industries are found wanting.

Look at the concern of the Tea Party. These are the same concerns everyone should have.

Don't be led to believe it is a political partisan movement, the Tea Party  is one comprised of citizens who care about our nation and the direction a central government is moving towards.
The msg. I receive from the Tea Party folks is that they are tired of business as usual, something neither party wants to change. They both
benefit from the current system as it shuts out independent voices.

They rail against "special interests" yet have little difficulty
kissing the feet of well-healed donors, even the Chinese (ask the
Clintons)

To truly curtail the continued encroachment of the Federal govt. states must regain their sovereignty and stop Washington from interfering in
matters best handled at the state level, including the education of our
children.
States (with the support of THEIR representatives) must install a legislative firewall so Congress will no longer be able dictate, using the threat of withholding funds (which come FROM the states) in order
to advance the interests of the Federal bureaucracy.

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Stay well,
Tony