Tea Bagging America

Many conservatives have thrown 'tea parties' in protest of the Obama financial recovery plan (and the federal tax money used to fund it) in homage to the Boston Tea Party of 1773 which proclaimed "No Taxation Without Representation." There are so many things inherently contradictory about this situation that I am thrilled to pick it apart and discuss what is actually going on here.

First of all, it's always fun to see Conservatives protesting stuff. Abortion, Gay Marriage, and now Government Spending. These are the justices that seem to get Cons really riled up these days. The Left is far more well known for their sign-carrying, bureaucrat-taunting abilities, but that comes as no surprise. Who else is going to protest the status quo?

So not only has it been a thrill to watch our republican counterparts stand up in anger against the spending bills hewn from the new recovery plan, but I have personally taken much joy in watching these feeble little conservatives grasping aimlessly for a symbolic platform on which to steady their argument. Like a fledgling perched on the rim of an unsteady nest, conservatives have chosen to speak out against President Obama's use of federal funds to stimulate the economy, and what better way to do so than to tie the fight to one of the most well known protests in American history: The Boston Tea Party.

Perhaps more research should have been done before allying with a protest meant to stop forced importation of tea leaves. The Tea Act of 1773 passed by the British Parliament imposed a tax that was intended to save the cash strapped East India Trading Company. Colonists were pissed that they were being taxed without having any voting rights to those members of the British parliament representing them, "Taxation Without Representation" they declare! Justified. But when conservatives and republicans start proclaiming the same decree I have trouble understanding what all the hubbub was last November 4th and what they thought was happening when they went into those little booths and cast their vote.

Republicans have no justification for declaring "T.W.R!". We have a democratically elected president and have for over 200 years. The officials in office were duly elected. In fact, John McCain voted in favor for last years $700 billion dollar bailout revealing inconsistency on his own views of government spending. Would this be happening if McCain was in office? It's hard to tell. However, it's certain something had to be done.

For eight years we watched Bush spend exorbitant amounts on the War in Iraq, running up inane structural deficits and running down morale. When we protested, they called it un-American. What could be more American than standing up for what you believe in?

So I say to the conservatives and republicans at their tea parties, kudos. Aside from completely missing the point of the Boston Tea Party and wasting a whole lot of Nestle products, you're on the right track. I support free speech and enthusiasm for public policy in all forms. Hopefully you'll have plenty of time to practice dissent in the next eight years. Until then, carefully rethink your protests for pertinence and validity, though I'd love to see another Whiskey Rebellion when Obama gets around to paying for the wars your half-wit president started.

-AA