Tea Party HiJacking
I'm writing this to come clean and admit to the world that I lost a bit of my political innocence on labor day 2009. It all started when I heard that there was a Tea Party in the town square that day. I set to convincing my wife we needed to attend (she reluctantly gave her consent).
We arrived about an hour before it was scheduled to start. We picked a park bench well away from the action to wait. And watched as a crew set up a public address system in the gazebo. Up rolled a box truck (the kind furniture is delivered in) and two vans. I counted 9 people exiting the vehicles. They began to setup folding tables, chairs, and big tripod easels with information boards. I noticed all the boards said Campaign for Liberty across the bottom. By the time we walked up to action all the tables were full of literature. You would think they would be giving it away to promote their point. But you would be wrong, it all was for sale. I was looking at a bumper sticker (who puts stickers on a bumper these days) that read “Live Free or Die” and I was told it was a dollar donation. Yea! I said donation! I walked away and waited for the speakers to take the podium.
First up to the microphone was a retired steelworker, that lost most of his pension and all of his health care when it was taken over by the federal pension benefit guarantee corp (PBGC). Next up was a person from Campaign for Liberty/ Ron Paul. He went on and on about Ron Paul. I said to my wife – I know that name he's a congressman from Texas. Next up to the microphone was a lady/small business owner, she talked about the tight credit market and health care. Next up was another foot soldier oops! I mean volunteer for Ron Paul. You get the picture? Every other speaker was from Ron Paul. I can't speak for anyone else, but I went to here from the people, “NOT” a congressman from Texas.
It made us so mad that we left the tea party, went home, and watched it on the local TV news. A lot of people must have felt the same way. Because by the time the news crew got there – there wasn't much of a crowd.
My question is – Why does a congressman from Texas need to promote his agenda here? Does he represent his constituents too. If I lived in his district I would be asking questions. Why can't Campaign for Liberty have its own rally's and quit co-opting local tea parties.
