Hot Topic (4/16): Tea Party Protests: Pointless or Important?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

From Yahoo News:   

ATLANTA – Whipped up by conservative commentators and bloggers, tens of thousands of protesters staged "tea parties" around the country Wednesday to tap into the collective angst stirred up by a bad economy, government spending and bailouts. The rallies were directed at President Barack Obama's new administration on a symbolic day: the deadline to file income taxes. Protesters even threw what appeared to be a box of tea bags toward the White House, causing a brief lockdown at the compound.

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What do you think about the Tea Party Protests? 

[greengirl106]

I think it was a good idea and it makes me feel proud of our country that in some ways it united us all, but I don't feel that it will make a difference and that saddens me.

[scottyliammom]

I said this on another post - while I applaud people speaking their mind and being able to do it freely and without fear of retribution - I think their time would have been well spent volunteering at a childrens hospital.  JMO - I feel it was kind of pointless because yes, we get it, you don't like Obama!! 

[conniecabe]

The Boston Tea Party was protesting taxation without representation.  We have representation, thereby making these protests pointless.  That said, everyone has the right to protest whatever they see fit to protest...that's the beauty of being an American citizen.

I have to wonder though, why are we protesting paying for a bailout that both Bush & Obama say is needed?  Why aren't we figuring out a way to get our money back...like ending tax shelters for big corporations and by encouraging tighter regulations to ensure nothing like this happens again? 

 Trust me, I have no desire to foot the bill for corporate failures, uber extravagant bonuses and corporate jet purchases.   However, I would like to retire someday and I don't know about any of you, but my 401 K took a huge hit; we need some stabilization.   More importantly, if paying more in taxes helps to keep someone working, I'm for it.  Too many hard working citizens are losing their jobs right now, precisely when they need their jobs the most.

 

 

[mmtosam06]

Quoting greengirl106:

I think it was a good idea and it makes me feel proud of our country that in some ways it united us all, but I don't feel that it will make a difference and that saddens me.

[cm08]

It expresses a message to Washington that we the people are unhappy in how they are running this country.  I believe it will get worse as unemployment continues to climb (8.5% nationwide) and people want to blame someone for their troubles.    

They best heave to that message/warning. 

 

[Katie911]

The common person of America is poor, unemployed and over taxed.  Most Americans are unhappy about the way the country is going.  I don't know if the tea parties will achieve anything.  The government quit listening to the citizens decades ago.  But at least our people are united under a common front. 

[Wyldbutterfly]

This is not why there were Tea Parties yesterday. Even the article is wrong. Tea Parties are made up of both Democrats and Republicans who are sick and tired of Government in general, pushing taxes, fees and regulations,mandates etc.. etc.. etc..  on the people. It's not just about the "Stimulus Package". It goes way above and beyond.  

[SunandMoonMom]

I believe some people feel we are being taxed not without representation, but with misrepresentation.  It is wrong for any member of Congress to vote on any piece of legislation they have not read.  Footnotes don't cover such a large spending bill (considering the amount of the last stimulus is more than any other in our history.)  Also, how were "we the people" truly represented when we never saw the bill (as promised, but not delivered) before it was signed?

Yes, there are elected representatives in Congress, but without full knowledge provided to them or to "the people"..."representation" is null and void in my opinion.

Quoting conniecabe:

The Boston Tea Party was protesting taxation without representation.  We have representation, thereby making these protests pointless.  That said, everyone has the right to protest whatever they see fit to protest...that's the beauty of being an American citizen.

I have to wonder though, why are we protesting paying for a bailout that both Bush & Obama say is needed?  Why aren't we figuring out a way to get our money back...like ending tax shelters for big corporations and by encouraging tighter regulations to ensure nothing like this happens again? 

 Trust me, I have no desire to foot the bill for corporate failures, uber extravagant bonuses and corporate jet purchases.   However, I would like to retire someday and I don't know about any of you, but my 401 K took a huge hit; we need some stabilization.   More importantly, if paying more in taxes helps to keep someone working, I'm for it.  Too many hard working citizens are losing their jobs right now, precisely when they need their jobs the most.

[Eilish]

Quoting conniecabe:

The Boston Tea Party was protesting taxation without representation. We have representation, thereby making these protests pointless. That said, everyone has the right to protest whatever they see fit to protest...that's the beauty of being an American citizen.

I have to wonder though, why are we protesting paying for a bailout that both Bush & Obama say is needed? Why aren't we figuring out a way to get our money back...like ending tax shelters for big corporations and by encouraging tighter regulations to ensure nothing like this happens again?

Trust me, I have no desire to foot the bill for corporate failures, uber extravagant bonuses and corporate jet purchases. However, I would like to retire someday and I don't know about any of you, but my 401 K took a huge hit; we need some stabilization. More importantly, if paying more in taxes helps to keep someone working, I'm for it. Too many hard working citizens are losing their jobs right now, precisely when they need their jobs the most.

You mean our non-representive representatives? Every single bailout was vehemently opposed by the overwhelming majority of the population which now is going to add trillions of dollars of debt to our children's tab. And on top of it, Obama wants to pass his budget that will but us even further into the trillions of debt.

These tea parties are HIGHLY important AS LONG AS we continue. We cannot just leave it with having our 5 minutes of fame and then walk away.

Albuquerque drew at least 5,000 and some even estimate upto 10,000 with all the little splinter groups that were around the city. The message at our rally was to stay informed and stay active, and speaking to many of them myself, you could see a sense of drive that has not been seen for a long time in this country. The majority of those passing by supported our cause - and NM is supposed to be a blue state.

This change that Obama promised isn't what many people were expecting - and they are mad as hell that they were fooled by that jackel.

This isn't the end .... it's just the beginning!

[Junebug926]

I must be dense. Someone please explain this so I can understand the other side. I hear people saying the poor are tired of being taxed yet Obama is going to lower taxes for the poor? Also I hear people complaining about the bailouts and the high rate of unemployment. The bailouts are not causing unemployment! ?? I don't see the connection. The bailouts are STOPPING an ENORMOUS amount of unemployment to happen. I don't get see the anger??