Tea Party - The Real Agenda

(CALGARY, Alberta) - If you’re a tea party supporter, be careful what you wish for.

If politicians holding the "tea party" philosophy ever gain any real power, here’s what you can look forward to.

The Second Amendment: Every able-bodied male will be issued a musket and a flintlock pistol. No more voting for women.

You can never feel safe or comfortable about eating the food you buy; drinking the water from your tap or breathing the air that you cannot avoid—or even venturing out to the public street. Tea party politicians are already calling for the defunding and eventual dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On top of this, they would also like to see fewer government regulations across the board, which would cut back on things like food inspection, workplace safety and enforceable public standards.

Less money spent on police would be a real money saver. After all, the wealthy took care of this for themselves decades ago by establishing gated-communities with their own private security guards. In cities, the same end has been reached with private security (not just a doorman and concierge) controlling access to exclusive buildings.

How has this sorry state been achieved? It goes back to the Founding Fathers who espoused the progressive ideas of the 18th century Enlightenment. They sounded good in theory, but no one ever thought ahead to how they would work in a crowded part of the continent of more than 300 million people.

Think ahead: If you were one of the FFs, your ideas might seem workable on a part of the continent where people were not crowded together and, when they felt their liberty or individuality were being restricted, all they had to do was head West where the land and resources were free for the taking (after eliminating a few pesky people who were there first).

The Enlightenment philosophy was based on concepts like freedom/liberty and individuality. How could you make these ideals square with the legal recognition of slavery? Don’t forget that the personal wealth of most of the FFs was based on owning of hundreds of slaves.

So, the question is: If you were one of the Founding Fathers, how would you set up your nation, taking into account pre-existing slavery and a native population that had been there for thousands of years before you were even born? Just these two factors, alone, are poison-pills in the founding of a nation.

The FFs, generally hailed as being prescient were not, in the final analysis, very prescient at all. No one thought ahead to when their portion of the continent would not only be full, but getting crowded.

America, the land of the free and home of the brave, has long since lost being either—even in theory. Unless millions of ordinary Americans today (and I don’t mean the tea-party whackos) realize that their nation was founded on a combination of lies, misconceptions, misinterpretations, immorality, and splintered religiosity, the American empire will turn out to have lasted longer than the Russian Empire, but not as long as the Roman Empire and only a fraction as long as the Ottoman empire.

Daniel Johnson was born near the midpoint of the twentieth century in Calgary, Alberta. In his teens he knew he was going to be a writer, which is why he was one of only a handful of boys in his high school typing class — a skill he knew was going to be necessary. He defines himself as a social reformer, not a left winger, the latter being an ideological label which, he says, is why he is not an ideologue. From 1975 to 1981 he was reporter, photographer, then editor of the weekly Airdrie Echo. For more than ten years after that he worked with Peter C. Newman, Canada’s top business writer (notably on a series of books, The Canadian Establishment). Through this period Daniel also did some national radio and TV broadcasting. He gave up journalism in the early 1980s because he had no interest in being a hack writer for the mainstream media and became a software developer and programmer. He retired from computers last year and is now back to doing what he loves — writing and trying to make the world a better place

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Hank Ruark February 15, 2011 10:54 am (Pacific time)

"Anon": You,sir, are an unneeded burden here with continued unsupported and erroneous statements, which simply confirm your own self-exposing psychologic need, Please furnish checkable name and give reachable e-mail address for direct contact offline/here, or sub the substantial link to proven reliable sources that our hard/working writers feel demanded for their own believable acceptance by our readers. I.E., deny yourself the cowardly practice of providing poof and pander with no proof nor profit for anyone but yourself. If you wish psychologic and psychiatric references for implications here, address response to me here, for all to see, read and evaluate; or you can reach me direct at my readily available emailer: hankatlma;ipns.com.

Hank Ruark February 14, 2011 3:48 pm (Pacific time)

Anon Feb.4 6:44pm"
Sir, since you cite great points re the Lafffer Curve, pls now ID source and fill us in on yr own "right to speak" to these points.
No apologies to Dan for ride on his stuff since Laffer inanities and distortions are at heart of economic collapse for which his is solid backgrnd.
moresoon...esp. if anon now challenged has guts enough to pick up that challenge. Mine own cometh from some too-close contacs, partially in D.C, partially In Chicago, some from top clients in business world there.

Hank's back!!!

Hank Ruark February 12, 2011 7:23 pm (Pacific time)

Still fighting computer, other hassles, unable to participate here clearly for a day or two yet.
BUT if anyone wishes to know more about Laffer Curve, ask any economist you trust, for a real laugh as he explains the unexplainable theory on which Reagan et al initiated the great policy errrors --not all in economics, either !--from which groweth our current considerable constellation of consequential dilemmas, some swept around the whole world economy.
Problem for those seeking easy and condensed understandings (with little or no reliance on past history, for some few !-- there ain't no such level: One has to have basic Economy I! and 2 and some of 3 to know what the hell really happened and continues to happen --and many economists are as puzzled as as amateurs...Hi, Dan !! Best to you for forcing attention on a real sore spot, ready to become worldwide cancerous concern....

Editor: We miss you Hank!

DJ: Looking forward to your renewed participation, Hank.

J Shanahan February 10, 2011 11:01 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Mr. Danial Johnson I see you have some interest in US history, and in particular the US revolution. I agree, as you intimate, that the 'blessed by God', manafest destinay, elemenary school history, by which most United Statesers understand their celectial position facilitates a faciest's profitable politic of perpetual war. I invite you to reread the history of the infamous Benedict Arnold: his misadventures at Quebec, the preceding seemingly pointless winter 'wilderness march', the smallpox outbreak when Arnold had himself innoculated but not his troops, the unfaithful messinger who inconviently 'tipped off' the British, and his many seemingly irratic behaviors and battlefield antics, and his personal history, and ask yourself, 'so when did Arnold first become a British loyalist, and if earlier than historcally admitted, who knew at the time, who knew later, and why is the cover story so carefully garded into modern times? I read somewhere, I do not have a reference at hand, but John Jay, 1st US supream court chief justise, said something to the effect, The history of the revolutoin will never be written, too many reputations would be ruined. Sincerely J. Shanahan

Anonymous February 4, 2011 6:45 pm (Pacific time)

"TARP saved the auto industry;..." ? Ah....no.

Anonymous February 4, 2011 6:44 pm (Pacific time)

Daniel possibly an error on my part re: Tarp, but it was the Obama people who started buying up ownership control of the auto industry and that was what I was referring (and thought you were referencing in error) to re: Ford Motors not participating. As you probably know those who received Tarp funds from the Bush Admin. (passed by a unanimous congress), these funds were being paid back, but the Obama Admin re-incorporated those funds into their massive stimulus Bill, which the Republicans did not vote for. There is a planned congressional investigation in that re-distribution to see if any laws were broken, because that money was lawfully designated to go to the general fund. Maybe we'll see a repeat of what happened during the Clinton Admin. when nearly 150 of the appointees and staff took the 5th during various investigations? So how's that Stimulus working out? Regarding the Laffer Curve, what tax percentage does it show for maximum government revenue? I'm all in favor of a flat tax. You see the merit in that type of tax? What is interesting about the Laffer method is that it's easy to undestand and can be constantly adapted to maximize reults whereas other schemes take considerable time to enact, are burdensome, confusing, and unfair to all who actually pay income tax, which is less than half the workers out there.

Anonymous February 4, 2011 12:42 pm (Pacific time)

You wrote: "TARP saved the auto industry; if it wasn't for that federal action, things would unquestionably be a lot worse." Ford did not take a dime and is doing much better than those who took govt. funding. Which demonstrates quite clearly that Obama and his cronies over-reacted. China and India will hit a wall pretty soon, especially if oil continues to go up. Maybe both the micro and macro is a bit above your pay grade. Time will tell, but you seem so intensely focused on anything that is negative where we Americans are concerned that you are missing the big picture. Maybe that Herbert guy from the Times is influencing you too much? He and that economist at the Times are never right, they just like to stir the pot, never providing any remedies, just sour brew. Nonetheless, America is going to be stronger than we ever were in the not too distant future, and Canada will benefit from our future success, which you do now by the way. Every time you interface with most anything in your day to day living, it came from American enterprise. Make a list and you'll see...

TARP: "Which demonstrates quite clearly that Obama and his cronies over-reacted"

I find that to be an interesting observation considering that GW Bush signed TARP into law on Oct 3, 2008. It was a response to the subprime mortgage crisis. Waiting to see how you blame that on "Obama and his cronies."

You write: "America is going to be stronger than we ever were in the not too distant future " Perhaps, but you have an immense weight of evidence opposing that conclusion. The only evidence you have is wishful thinking and staring into the rear view mirror.

The only real hope I see for America's recovery is if the taxes of those who make more than a million dollars a year are reduced to zero. You've no doubt heard of the Laffer curve.

Anonymous February 4, 2011 12:27 pm (Pacific time)

Actually according to government figures more guns do mean less crime. There is no primary source that can dispute that. Another interesting thing about the Obamacare program is the numerous waivers that the Whitehouse has passed out. It is now reported that over 2.1 million people from 4 states and approximately 40% of unions have received these waivers. So those who wanted socialized medicine shoved down out throats have received waivers. The disconnect this creates will naturally dial up an angry response from groups like the Tea Party. So DJ, what's your take on these waivers? You think they show favoritism? Stinks to me and other rational people, plus there is no explanation that is acceptable. If and when the Supreme Court rules on the "mandate" matter, there will be an outcry to start from scratch. The conservatives want caps, they want portability, they do want to stop insurers from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions, and many more helpful items. In fact the Republicans have some well designed legislation that can help all the people. It's obvious those on the "elite" left want some pie in the sky program that cannot work. If the mandate fails to pass muster in the highest court it is over, for there will be no funding to support the current bill. So now would be a good time to have a bi-partisan effort to create a workable plan, but there are those who have an agenda that is a very destructive one. They will fail. Some people out there just have not been able to grasp what really happened during last November's election, the progressive movement is over, poof!

Bi-partisan? LOL "No" to any idea that benefits ordinary Americans is built into the GOP's DNA.

Tom February 4, 2011 8:28 am (Pacific time)

HaHa. What medical care are you talking about? The current past legislation is not due to go into effect until 2014. It was passed on dishonest information and is collapsing. Did you follow any of the bill amendments the Republicans offered? They simply want to make it workable with thoughtful legislation that will actually work while also assuring that the current system is not destroyed, then what we have if that happens is what's happening in Europe and even Canada, who are now expanding their private insurance to enter the government programs. As far as the people who were killed and wounded in Arizona, well too bad there were not some gun owners nearby, but a democratic gathering is going to be far easier for a leftist radical to go on this type of rampage. Do you think it would happen at a conservative gatheing? A Tea Party function? No to both. As far as what happened during the Bush Administration, it was a full congressional majority that passed all spending and tax bills, so that's that. Then it has been a democratic congress and Obama who have been spending literally trillions of dollars we do not have. Please note all Republicans voted against these massive spending bills. The latter did not escape the attention of the majority of voters. Try to understand the "actual" flow a little bit better when you think you have a handle on this nonsense you write. I appreciate different perspectives, but yours are essentially so disjointed and embarrassing light on facts. Though you do control the opinion flow, so I guess that allows you some comfort. haha

What medical care? You're right; there are still tens of millions of Americans with inadequate medical coverage. But one good thing the new legislation has done is eliminate caps on lifetime coverage.

Tucson: There was at least one armed citizen nearby but he said he declined to draw his gun for fear of being mistaken as a shooter and himself being subsequently being shot. You haven't figured out that more guns is not a solution. And Loughner was not some "leftist radical" as you wish to portray him, but a person with serious mental health issues that took him there.

Mike February 4, 2011 8:01 am (Pacific time)

Daniel J when the democrats took over congress in 2006 the unemployment rate was 4.5% as per the U.S. Dept. of Labor. There are many reasons why our economy has been experiencing some bad times, and employer confidence is a significant one, which is at a pretty low ebb. Have you ever ran a business and prepared a forecast budget? I have for a small business with less then 25 employees and I sure wanted more than two years of knowledge regarding future tax rates. What we have had since 2006 is a high spending congress which became coupled with a high spending administration, who by the way has embraced double speak loser economic policies. Many people in business have zero confidence in this administration and are holding back in their business investments. The Tea Party movement is simply operating as a voice for all of us concerned about the fiscal and social direction of America. Pretty confident that your viewpoints have very little traction, though you probably feel good for a brief time after you write them up. Our country has been in far worse situations than we are currently in and the trend is moving in the right direction, i.e., the radicals have peaked and are fading away. After 2012 there will be some changes that will also include a change of leadership in all executive departments, most notbaly at the office of the U.S. Attorney General. Hang in there and look back at your comments in a few years and see how wrong you are. May I suggest a comprehensive 36 semester unit sequence in American History, rather than the New York Times and their lefty staff for your sources.

Sure, the employment rate was low in 2006 but you don't seem to acknowledge the role of Wall Street and the housing bubble as the main disasters of the last few years. TARP saved the auto industry; if it wasn't for that federal action, things would unquestionably be a lot worse. Comparing the US government to running a small business of under 25 employees is laughably simplistic. It's this kind of approach, if taken seriously by TP politicians, if they ever get at the levers of power, that is going to make things a lot worse than they are.

The U.S. has never been in as bad a shape as it is now. American history is irrelevant. You're up against unprecedented public debt and budget deficits. It's far, far worse than the Depression of the 1930s. What got you out then was manufacturing expansion from WWII. Are you thinking that if the U.S. just starts one more war? The trend, as you say, is not moving in the right direction. Check out the OECD rankings over the last few years. Another thing that helped your country was its ability to exploit the Third World and Developing nations. "Of course [the world price of oil] is going to rise," the Shah of Iran said in 1973. "You [Western nations] increased the price of wheat you sell us by 300%, and the same for sugar and cement...; You buy our crude oil and sell it back to us, refined as petrochemicals, at a hundred times the price you've paid to us...; It's only fair that, from now on, you should pay more for oil. Let's say ten times more." You now have countries like China and India to contend with. Despite many Americans wish to the contrary, they are not going to go away. The U.S. is facing global competition for the first time in history and most Americans don't like it. But as the old saying goes: What's good for the goose is sauce for the gander.

John February 3, 2011 4:40 pm (Pacific time)

I have never seen such an article full of crap like yours. I guess maybe I get the moveon.org stuff and it sounds about the same. Why don't you actually go to some tea party meetings listen to the people and see what is really going on instead of listening to the Obamanations propaganda machine (abc,nbc,cbs). You would be a much more enlightened individual. I guess it is a polite way of saying cleaning the fecal matter off of your eyes and actually open them.

The U.S. is inexorably going down the drain for most citizens. This is easily demonstrated in the steady American decline in OECD rankings year by year. The main group of people who don't see this are conservatives (Republicans, TP, and the like). I don't make this stuff up and by the time someone like you realizes the parlous position your nation is in, it's going to be too late. I feel sorry for all the fine Americans who are going to suffer. At the same time they cannot declaim responsibility because they sat on their hands while the right-wing radicals have been running the country into the ground. Carrying on two unfunded wars and not only not raising taxes to pay for them but actually reducing taxes for the rich. Doesn't make a lot of sense unless you can find some plausible way to blame it on Obama who has only been president for two years.

Bernard Druck February 3, 2011 10:05 am (Pacific time)

Amanda did you not see what happened during last November's election? It was just not the political change in the House of Reps. , but the massive take over of state legislatures. It is this latter change that will set the local power changes for the next ten years as they re-draw new political boundaries. Also several so-called blue states have lost population to red states which means a pick up of more congressional seats. It is unlikely the democrats will take over the house for many election cycles far into the future. Also in 2012, 22 democratic senators are up for re-election and 11 of those are in red states. Democratic senators from Montana and Missouri won in 2006 with less than 50% of the vote. According to various national polls liberals now account for less than 20%, conservatives are approaching 50%. So to assume those who support the Tea Party agenda are not having an impact is wrong. What you will see for the next two years is the House passing very cost effective bills to reduce our deficit with the senate essentially preventing most from being voted on. Since the EPA is impacting our energy production, you will see costs go up quickly. Obama will try a "price freeze" and during a down economy this will just worsen the economy. I expect a very intense move to keep power by the left, it will be the last power grab by these people. The Tea Party agenda is like that snowball on the hillside, it will grow and sweep all the riff raff away. Not sorry. Keep an eye on Egypt, for if the Ilamic radicals come to power, my guess is that changes to our government power will happen before the 2012 election. There is nothing outdated about wanting to have your government to operate as designed and not to spend beyond available revenue. It has been these horrible policies of the last two years that have been harming the economy, and it is part of a larger plan that was upset last November.

DJ: Even though you're posting under at least three different names, I'll respond anyway.

You write: "It has been these horrible policies of the last two years that have been harming the economy..."

This clear evidence of the intellectual and fiscal dishonesty of conservatives; they pretend that Bush's eight years did not happen and, if they did, he did so many good things to build up the economy and the country. If only Obama would cut taxes of the wealthy even more, America could be great again.

Randy Gardner was one of those shot in Tucson and survived. He said:"I wondered, 'How much is this going to cost me?' It was a thought that went through my head right away." Such a thought would never go through the mind of any shooting (or even accident victim) in Canada or any country in Europe. But in America you have the battle of the Amendments. TP supporters fight for Loughner's right to buy and use a Glock to kill people. And TP also wants to repeal the medical care for all Americans (as unconstitutional) that would have made Gardner's thought irrelevant..

There's America and the tea party movement in a nutshell.

Amanda February 2, 2011 6:26 pm (Pacific time)

TP followers are just that, followers of an outdated ideology, and have as much following as the "Independents". Never even making a dent as a party, or taken seriously in the polital spectrum. Just as silly as Palin herself.

Floyd Martin February 2, 2011 3:58 pm (Pacific time)

So many people pontificate opinions based on [innate] pomposity, and nothing else. AKA: windbags. The Tea Party is made up of a wide spectrum of individuals who have a wide ranging educational and vocational background. What brings them all together is love of country and an appreciation of American Exceptionalism, which is a concept quite alien to non and anti-Americans it appears.

I agree that the TP is made up of "a wide spectrum of people" but whose unifying philosophy is a return to the 1950s and in some cases, to the 1780s. Ain't gonna happen. The world has moved on, even if TP supporters haven't. Sorry.

Charlene Young February 2, 2011 12:54 pm (Pacific time)

I'm a big Tea Party supporter, and am perplexed in your analysis. It's obvious you have never been to a Tea Party function. Sounds like you have just gone to websites that are in disfavor of this movement, so you obviously have no idea what your writing about, which is pretty typical from those who have no real life experience, which your biography clearly acknowledges. I see you are from Canada and that explains a lot. If you wrote similar things up there you would be arrested. Pretty bleak in Canada now days, and getting worse. So if we fade away, who's going to protect you Canucks, your baby seal bashers? It's really funny reading liberal screed, especially from Canadians. You are impotent.

I don't have to go to a tea party function to make my analysis. TP people operate under two assumptions: First, that the U.S. can still call the shots on a global basis. This is demonstrably declining year by year, month by month; and. second: that the world can be made simple again. I would guess that a lot of TP supporters also belong to the Flat Earth Society. In addition to the TP functions, it sounds like you've been spending too much time at Disneyland.

Impotent? Have you been talking to my ex-wife again?

Douglas Benson February 2, 2011 5:11 am (Pacific time)

Come on Dan now youre straight trolling . You are an educated man not some simplistic teaparty moron who has no historic knowledge . You can do better. Peace

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