Fox news, in its usual sterling fashion pointed out the similarities between THESE tea parties and the tea party against the British based on the fact that both were about taxes.
Fox news, in its usual sterling fashion, failed to point out that the British tea parties were actually about a lack of representation. (But Andrew, Obama's doing these things and we don't get the chance to vote against him! Hush. Losing an election is not the same thing as not being allowed to vote.)
Do I mind the tea parties? Of course not. Have at it. The right to protest, the right to speak freely? Those are wonderful damn rights.
Do I think they're kind of dumb? Natch. All the signs I saw in the pictures were about socialism. All the rhetoric I heard had little relevance for normal American citizens. Some of you are like dogs that run after every brightly painted stick that goes past you, so long as it is against the other side. Doesn't matter if it's a good stick it just matters that it's a stick.
The socialism you're complaining about is still lower tax rates than were during Reagan. But you don't care, do you. It's a damn stick.
That's fine though, everybody has to choose to protest in their own way. For my money there's plenty of good reasons to protest, although I disagree ith most of them on a personal level. Why not just have a protest for higher taxes? That's a thing a lot of people don't like. Why not protest increased government oversight of companies, all that kind of thing? Don't just be oppositional--be constructive.
And don't you tell me this was about that government oversight and not about higher taxes. 1) the socialism bell has been ringing since the election SOLELY about Obama's tax thing. And 2) You scheduled the damn things on April 15th.
Fox news has my back.
I mean you no harm. Smarter protests would gain respect in my quarters than you know. Protests this dumb will only get you respect from the people who already voted your way. There aren't enough of them for that to matter particularly. There aren't going to be enough of them, the way things are going, not because there aren't points you COULD make, but because you're choosing instead to make points that only appeal to people who already agree with you.
When you go to work tomorrow and make less money than your boss, you'll know you're not living in a socialist society. When you go back in time to 1985 and realize that you're paying more taxes than you're paying now, you'll know you're not living in socialism.
Socialism, honestly.
Well, better than this guy, Fox News anchor Cody Willard: "Guys, when are we going to wake up and start fighting the fascism that seems to be permeating this country?"
....Fascism?
I sincerely doubt that the average American is going to feel better about things when you start talking about actually having a revolution against the government, which is what this particular symbolism suggests. I mean, really, would you even want that? Blow up the American system to save it?
From what, you?
I love Republicans. I love them keeping government honest, being willing to yell when they think the taxpayer is in trouble, and making the liberals work to dole out the money they want to dole out. Of course, I also love liberals who want to give some people who really need it some money. We work together. It's an organic thing.
But some of you are very silly people.
Incidentally, if you fear and hate the liberal media so much you might want to find a way to stop Fox News from blatantly cheerleading these events. Not that anyone besides hard core Republicans believes Fox News is unbiased, but if anyone did, it would be a hard case to support considering these patently political events have been repeatedly labeled FNC tea parties on that particular channel.
Also mentioned in the article is the fact that Perry figures this is his golden ticket, and sees himself "at the center of a national movement that is coordinated and focused in its opposition to the actions of the federal government."
He does have great hair.
P.P.S. Please don't respond to this post to show us a grainy ass you tube video showing us "the real truth". Such truths we are unfortunately blind too. Because they're completely insane. Love you.
P.P.P.S My favorite Republican not named Michael Steele (Michelle "I am completely nuts" Bachman) went on the radio less than a week ago to claim that the six Muslim clerics recently removed from a flight, who had come to Minnesota for a North American Imams conference, had actually come for rival Congressman Keith Ellison's (Democratic) (African-American) (Muslim) victory celebration. Isn't she sweet .
Some of you aren't silly, you're evil, and apparently intent on running this country through lies, fear, and bullshit.
The only bad thing about Texas is the Texans. For every Texan who wants to secede, there is at least a dozen non-Texans who want it more.
It is funny to see Conservatives try to play the oppressed minority.
But on the same hand, Liberals are kinda douchy in the majority.
Teabagging is patriotic!
Posted By: Heyyo (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 12:21 PM
You really are a pathetic American! If you don't see the similarities of the current government and Hitler/Mussolini/Lenin/Stalin, etc, then you're a fool!
Why do we need more government oversight? What we need is SMALLER government, FEWER taxes, etc!
They were also calling for ending the Federal Reserve, which is a PRIVATE bank that pretty much OWNS this country! They have stolen TRILLIONS of dollars, including about $5 trillion (if not more) just in the last 3 months of 2008!
An end to the IRS and our ridiculous tax code! An end to the income tax! That's one hell of a way to boost the economy!
As usual, you and people like you put down Fox News because they're the only ones with the BALLS to report something that doesn't support Obama and his minions and masters!
Check out the Obama Deception and educate yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
Posted By: Spyke (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Yep, the tea parties were definitely silly.
But the general message is valid...how the hell will we EVER pay for all of this government spending?
No one on the left (or the right) has an answer. Why not just be honest and admit that MUCH MUCH MUCH LARGER TAXES are coming, and it's not just the EVIL TOP 1% who will be paying more.
Posted By: Eric (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Great article Andrew - when you get your head out of the rear end that is Capitol Hill Liberalism and get a clue as to what is happening in this country you will start singing a different tune. At what point do these liberals stop taking away our freedoms. The president now has the right to fire/hire individuals in public corporations? You may say who cares about that - but my question is "where does it stop?". Once you give someone this kind of power you can never take it back as they will never let it go.
How about the government staying out of my life and letting me live it!!
Posted By: Ben (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I thought Fox News was supposed to be, and I quote, "Fair & Balanced." What a crock of shit. If MSNBC promoted/hosted anti-tea parties Fox News would be jumping up and down about how biased the mainstream media is. Fuck Fox News.
If you don't like the way the country is being run maybe you should just leave. (Can I actually use that phrase or is it still copyrighted by the Republicans?)
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 05:11 PM
you are retarded... the president has the right to remove a CEO if the CEO has run the company into the ground and is only running b/c of taxpayer money... and honestly - what freedoms have the normal american lost?
Posted By: (guest) (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 05:23 PM
"Check out the Obama Deception and educate yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw"
The cornerstone of forming dissident opinions: fucking YouTube. Stick your head under a bus tire, Spyke, you'll finally free your mind.
Posted By: Meirsch (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 09:34 PM
TEA stood for Taxed enough already. However the majority of the people protesting are actually going to pay LESS tax. And the richest of americans will be paying more, but its still about 10 percent less than during the Reagan years. The fact that they didnt run these little parties during the regan or bush years shows they arent the principled opposistion they want to be, they are just sore losers who are upset because they no longer have power.
Posted By: elry (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 09:35 PM
the repubs are looking silly. for example, during the pirates hostage situation. they criticized obama for not taking the matter seriously. then when the captain was rescued. limbaugh criticized obama for giving the ok to kill the pirates who happen to be teenagers.
now they seem to oppose everything associated with obama, even if it supports bush's old policies.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 10:55 PM
C'mon Spyke, free your mind. Out of the back of your skull with the AK 47 you stash under the floorboards next to your life savings and your "American Grizzly" collection.
I don't know what freedoms Ben is losing at the moment besides maybe freedom incoherent thought. How come when liberals use the slippery slope argument, their being alarmist fanatics, but when red-assed know-nothings use it, it's because they are possessed of keen insight.
The possessed part I believe at least.
Has anyone seen my meds?
Posted By: Omen (Guest) on April 16, 2009 at 11:42 PM
"Do I think they're kind of dumb? Natch. All the signs I saw in the pictures were about socialism"
You obviously did not see much of what went on.
"All the rhetoric I heard had little relevance for normal American citizens."
A lot of what I heard was concern for "generational-debt" as they called it, and the exploding deficit. The best MSNBC-type response to that can basically be summed up as "Bush did it first", as though that somehow makes it okay.
Posted By: Guest#9455 (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 12:12 AM
This article was a waste of time. Andrew, why don't you post articles about illegal immigrants who protest against immigration reform?
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 12:16 AM
I love how the liberal reporters told the protestors how only people making over $250,000 will see tax hikes...As if someone making $250,000 is rich like elitist Obama is.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Spyke
Stalin forced people on communal farms and killed tens of millions.
Hitler tried to exterminate a religion.
And Obama cut my taxes 19 bucks a paycheck? Oh yeah, real evil...
Posted By: Joe Rivett (Registered) on April 17, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Wow what a surprise, Andrew didn't find the tea parties "awesome"
Posted By: John (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Further proof why I don't come here for intelligent political discussion.
Posted By: Guest#9298 (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:21 AM
never mind the fact bush pushed for oversight on freddie and fannie and oh yeah the dems stopped it and now are complaining, and oh yeah just before freddie and fannie collapsed barney frank was on cnbc saying they were finacially sound going forward and then a month later they collapse. plus if u want universial health care it sounds great, but dick morris, like him or hate him, brought up a good point with stuff like education or infastructure u can raise taxes, but on universial health care it doesn't work, why u need the people, doctors and nurses.
plus obama has already raised taxes on people that make less then 250,000, thx to the expansion of s-chip, raised federal taxes on cigarettes .62 cents a pack, and gee who smokes middle and low-income people.
plus today u had the news today that the irs gave out 1.8 billion to illeagls by providing only a tax id #, now while leagl for claiming the tax credits, they shouldn't have been working as they had no ss #
Posted By: coby preimesbereger (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:51 AM
If I was the Republicans I wouldn't be so concerned that their message was so off topic and out of touch, but that despite Fox News basically running an ad campaign all week for the event... They didn't even draw as many people NATIONWIDE as Obama draws to have a speech somewhere.
When the one man you're trying to overthrow gets a crowd 5X your size in a single area and you can't muster up that many in the entire nation, it's a sad state of affairs.
Actually it gave the rest of the country a pretty good idea of how many true, out of their mind Republicans there are. Thankfully it's only about 300,000.
Here's to REAL Americans (That's tongue in cheek, BTW) who support their President (Remember like we had to Bush?) even if they don't like his policies.
Posted By: Jake G (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 03:24 AM
Okay, seriously, someone go ahead and tell me how Obama is like Hitler or Mussolini. Or Lenin and Stalin. Keep in mind that I'm Jewish and they were,you know, trying to complete exterminate my people, before you try. Then try. Go ahead and make your case.
Posted By: Andrew Tobolowsky (Registered) on April 17, 2009 at 03:57 AM
These "tea parties" are stupid, and the people behind them are morons. They don't complain when Bush spends more than any previous president, they complain when Obama "cuts" military spending (which he actually increased), and then they complain that Obama spends too much. They blame the economy collapsing under Bush on Clinton, but it's all Obama's fault when it continues to decline under him. Liberals consider leaving the country and get called terrorist sympathizers, but it's unfair to put conservatives who want to secede on the homeland security watchlist.
They think everything their side does is right, and anything anyone else does is automatically wrong. Half the "tea parties" call Obama a Fascist, and the other half call him a socialist.
How about some of them get an opinion that Fox News didn't determine for them? Before anyone calls me a Liberal commie pinko, remember that FNC is hosting many "Tea Parties" around the country.
As far as raising the money to pay for the national debt and current spending? You could multiply the taxes that the top 10% pay by 2.5, and they would still pay proportionately less than the other 90% of the country. The top 10% controls 90% of the wealth, and pays ~72% of the taxes. (as opposed to 10% of wealth covering 28% of taxes) That would more than double the current tax revenue of the U.S. government.
Posted By: Bavitz (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 04:20 AM
These TEA PARTIES were nothing more than these REPUBLIKLANS that are upset at having a BLACK MAN in the White House. These rednecks should all move to Texas and leave the union. What a bunch of idiots. LMAO
Posted By: Rod (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 07:31 AM
I agree that the tea parties were dumb, but the disgust of those involved is legitimate. I say we all boycott the left-wing, obama love affair known as 411mania instead. who's with me? See you all at Armageddon
Posted By: anti-messiah (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 08:46 AM
I have never heard whining like what the Republicans are doing right now. They run the country into the ground, and when someone tries something different in order to fix their mess, they scream, cry, and jump up and down. These "tea parties" are jokes, and insulting to the Boston Tea Party. During that event, people risked their lives to stand up to a government that taxed them without representation. Those at these current "tea parties" have representation, they just got out-voted. They need to learn to just suck it up, or offer valid alternatives. Valid alternatives do not include the same "low taxes, less regulation" BS that you preached over the last 8 years and that got us to this point to begin with.
Posted By: Aggravated as Hell (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 09:23 AM
I love how the liberal reporters told the protestors how only people making over $250,000 will see tax hikes...As if someone making $250,000 is rich like elitist Obama is.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 12:20 AM
I'm assuming that this comment was made ironically.
In that case, brilliant!
Posted By: Heyyo (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 09:26 AM
You really are a pathetic American! If you don't see the similarities of the current government and Hitler/Mussolini/Lenin/Stalin, etc, then you're a fool
--------------------------
Spyke anyone suggesting such a thing is the fool who has historical reference to even base such a claim on, look back at what those people did vs what is going on today, I mean are you kidding me?
Can we get some frame of reference?
Just because you dont like someones politics doesnt mean you get to arbitrarily equate him to Hitler and the Nazi regime...I mean are you kidding me? You have to know more about these regimes and government and their history don't you? I mean seriously
Also you talk about foxnews.....here is a challange for everyone...spend 2 weeks going to foxnews and CNN and compare what the headlines are and how they are worded....then come back and try and say that fox is fair and balanced. ITS A TOTAL FARCE!!!
While CNN was covering the captain that was taken hostage off the coast of Africa you want to know what the main foxnews story was? A huge picture of Obama greeting the Saudi King with big bold letters talking about how he bowed to the Saudi leader.
Is that really front page news worthy with a giant picture of him and the saudi king, with everything else that was going on off the coast of Africa? Turn on any news program, local news, pick you paper liberal, conservative and it was page 1 and the first story talked about.
Did i mention the photo was a week and a half old and the incident was not new?
Go ahead see for yourself compare the 2 in the next few weeks...its really out of hand. Its one thing to call someone out on stuff that is legit, and its another to totally sensationalize a story that based on other events in the world doesn't warrant the attention it was given
Posted By: saywhat (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Im shocked and surprised... Okay, I'm not! This is just another Leberal dirtsheet! Go ahead and blame FOX News for everything!
Posted By: Bill (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I’ll tell you what...If these “conservatives” are so fearful that their freedoms are being taken away even though it is not – Let’s stage a REAL protest...
Obama, you’re not doing ENOUGH to take freedoms away!
Obama, assemble a list and a task force for people who believe in conservatism, people who vote Republican. Those in the NRA. Those against gay marriage. Most of the old white guys! Most of the backwater, small town rednecks! Blacklist them all!
Then put them in trains and send them away to concentration camps where they are waterboarded while listening to Beyonce’s rendition of “At Last” at MAXIMUM VOLUME. Do it, Barack! Hell, just drop a nuke on Texas while you’re at it! O-BOOOOM-A!
Finally, ask them where Jesus is and make them beg for him to save them, just before you shoot them in the back of the head. O-BAM-A!
Yeah. THAT is what you want, right? To prove that shit is going down the drain? So, let’s do it! Let’s start that shit NOW!
Do it, President Obama. That is why we voted for you – The erradication of the evil conservative movement that has been nothing more than a virus to the American people. If you are not for this “perfect solution”, we will vote you out and find a liberal that will!
Posted By: Conservative Holocaust (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Although the statutory mandatory income tax rate enacted in 1981 was reduced to 50%, the effective tax rate was much lower as a result of more liberal amount deductions and steeper depreciation schedule. The statutory income tax rate under the bipartisan governance of the 1980s is higher than current Obama/Pelosi/Reid budget proposal, but the actual percentage paid was not.
This situation lead to the bipartisan Tax Reform Act of 1986 in which the number of brackets and marginal income tax rates were both reduced in exchange for reducing and simplifying available deductions.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 demonstrates the strength of bipartisanship which characterizes politics during the 1980s. Today, people tend to exaggerate the unilateral partisan strength of the Reagan Administration. Conservative credit him for all that is good. Liberals indict him for all that is bad.
The truth is that Democrats controlled the House for 8/8 Reagan years while also controlling the Senate for 6/8.
The other fact is that budget policy from thirty years ago has little relevance to the fiscal policy issues of today.
Posted By: AdmChesterMynuts (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Ummmm....someone making $250,000 IS rich. Barely anyone in the world makes that level of money. 1.93% of American households make $250,000 or more. And that's in America. If you look at the rest of the world, that number drops significantly.
Posted By: xjuggernaughtx (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Boy are the CNN CLowns there when FOOLish peices of S!IT protest a servicemans funeral? Just because I dislike Obama's policies does not mean I need to defend Bush!!! Boy the left hates it when the right wackos come out. Come to Chicago where the left protest everything and get no greif for it. They protest in front of schools calling litterally for communism. THE F--in signs say there PRO COMMUNISM, but there not for communism right!!!!! Both sides straighten up. We need taxes, but dont let the piece of trash crackheads in my neighborhood off the hook. The little college there some minorities laugh that they barely pay anything. My wife was laughed at before we were married when she was 22 with a lump on her breast. She was told at the office for free checkups by a spanish lady that she is white and should be able to pay. See I dont fit any catagory for help ,I dont so am I a tad bitter Sure!!! But I see this crap eveyday that people with the same size house as me on the same block are owed something IM not. Thats B.S. See the left is pretty smart though. Remember Bush used the words terrorism. Now we cant use it anymore. The right says there are socialist polititions. Now the people say there is no Socialist in our government as some of the left politions plainly call for it. Damn Im glad Bush didnt say to drink milk or there are bad people in the world. If Bush says Bin
Ladin is bad well the left would say the opposite to spite him !!!!!!!!!! How is it that the Democrats on my block are always home. Driving Escalades with hanicapped plates, But yet all 50 of them can play Basketball in the street Daily!!!!!!!!
Posted By: danman (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Some of you aren't silly, you're evil, and apparently intent on running this country through lies, fear, and bullshit. Man hasnt the left done that for the past 8 years!!!!!!!
Posted By: danman (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Silly stick chasers.
Posted By: James (Registered) (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Andrew Tobolowsky in his usual sterling fashion shows us all why he is a liberal douchebag pussy
Posted By: Kevin (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Further proof why I don't come here for intelligent political discussion.
Posted By: Guest#9298 (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 01:21 AM
I agree, Andrew Tobolowsky is pathetic and the worst "writer" on 411
Posted By: Tito Santoro (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 02:53 PM
What in the hell is danman talking about?
It just....just makes no sense.
Posted By: huh?!?!? (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Andrew, just admit that you don't like the TEA parties because they're protesting the political you voted for. Your article is based on political partisanship, that's all.
Posted By: JD (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Kevin, what makes him a pussy? For using his right to free speech?
P.S. I'm from Texas. Not all of us want to secede for the Union. So please don't have Obama drop a bomb on my state.
Posted By: DSJ (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Let Texas secede! It's like Bret Hart once said: "If you were looking to give the United States an enema you'd stick the tube in Texas!"
To all of those protesting taxes and calling Obama a socialist, fascist, and/or a tyrant try these two on for size:
Why do you hate America?
America, love it or leave it!
Please right-wigers slowdown, I want you to really savor the shit sandwich you're going to be eating for AT LEAST the next four years. You deserve to taste every revolting morsel of it. You made your bed now you get lie in it! HA!!!
Posted By: John (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Let Texas secede! It's like Bret Hart once said: Let Texas secede! It's like Bret Hart once said: "If you were looking to give the United States an enema you'd stick the tube in Texas!"
To all of those protesting taxes and calling Obama a socialist, fascist, and/or a tyrant try these two on for size:
Why do you hate America?
America, love it or leave it!
Please right-wigers slowdown, I want you to really savor the shit sandwich you're going to be eating for AT LEAST the next four years. You deserve to taste every revolting morsel of it. You made your bed now you get lie in it! HA!!!
To all of those protesting taxes and calling Obama a socialist, fascist, and/or a tyrant try these two on for size:
Why do you hate America?
America, love it or leave it!
Please right-wigers slowdown, I want you to really savor the shit sandwich you're going to be eating for AT LEAST the next four years. You deserve to taste every revolting morsel of it. You made your bed now you get lie in it! HA!!!
^^^Actually, Bret Hart said "If you were looking to give the United States an enema you'd stick the tube in Pittsburgh!"
Sorry, but i had to point that out, as for the rest of your "opinion", im not touching that.
Posted By: Dent Kelly (Registered) on April 17, 2009 at 06:00 PM
The tea parties are like the New York Yankees: A way for rich people to sucker the middle class into lining their pockets. The only difference is that at the Yankees, you get to take home some cool souvenirs.
Posted By: Guest#1700 (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 06:57 PM
'Some of you are like dogs that run after every brightly painted stick that goes past you, so long as it is against the other side. Doesn't matter if it's a good stick it just matters that it's a stick.'
You mean like you and your columns?
Posted By: Guest#3589 (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 07:25 PM
If this corporate sponsored tea contrivance is the best protest they could buy. Then the current administration must be doing quite well.
Posted By: GTM (Guest) on April 17, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Christ. Republicans are bigger crybabies and sore losers than Raiders fans. I wonder if Sean Hannity is going to find his version of the "Tuck Rule" to bitch about for the next X number of years.
Posted By: JD (Guest) on April 19, 2009 at 02:01 PM
STAY CURRENT