Tea Party Purposely Mischaracterized

The Tea Party movement was the most pure grass roots level movement in America over the last 50 years. It was not led by behind the scenes organizations or powerful individuals and money, but was a spontaneous outcry by patriotic Americans deeply concerned about the current direction of our country. Due to the potential influence on our country this scared the hell out of those not only on the left and Democrats; but many in the Republican establishment, as well, since it could diminish their power and control. The mainstream media also did not like the movement one bit, partly because of their biased ideology control over the minds of Americans, and also because they were being exposed by the Tea Party for what they are. For all these reasons, no matter what, they had to be stopped.

Yet what was this Tea Party movement really? First, it was not an organization so much in the beginning as an amorphous movement of everyday citizens united by common concerns (Thus, grass roots). And what were their concerns? They were upset by out of control federal spending and the impact of this upon our country, their children, and future generations. They were upset with more and more federal government control over their lives. They were upset with the diminishing role of world leadership of the United States, and a weakening of our military strength as a deterrent to attacks on our country and potential war. They were upset about the increasing circumvention of our Constitution, if not outright violations of it. They were upset with the media's very biased approach to news, essentially approaching a path of selective propaganda, as well as failing to report relevant news based upon their agenda. Although they possessed compassion for people entering this country, they were upset with the federally allowed total anarchy at our borders. Although they supported helping people in REAL need, they were upset by our government increasingly pushing people into a state of dependency, allowing people to "game the system" and driving us to becoming a welfare country. They were upset with the leadership in Washington, both major parties, lack of true leadership on what is best for America, the corruption, the enormous waste of taxpayer money, and the lies and deception given to the people. They were deeply concerned about America!

During the early stages I attended several Tea Party Rallies as a photojournalist, not as a member, I wanted to see and record what they were all about. I saw and talked to a young Hispanic woman in Springfield, MA. She was very concerned about the huge debt and out of control spending, the impact of this upon her young family. I saw people in Hartford, CT not with professionally prepared signs that are so typically provided by the backing organization; but homemade ones in their own handwriting. I saw a young woman with two small children and she told me she was a Democrat who was concerned about the direction of our country. I saw many seniors, as well as mid aged people, who were concerned. Without exception they were all very friendly and polite to talk to, yet they expressed their deep concern. I found them to be just everyday people, next door neighbor types. At one rally I thought that it was noteworthy that the main speaker was a black man. I also saw first hand an agitator who appeared to be purposely sent in to cause a disruption and have it recorded, but the people there were too smart for that, they handled it beautifully stating that he had a right to free speech. Also noteworthy, not like so many rallies and protests, when they left the site they cleaned up every single piece of paper or garbage, and left it spotless like they had never been there. The Tea Parties were actually a model for holding rallies for expressing concern over an issue.

Yet for those in power, they had to be stopped. The first step was taken by the media. They either failed to cover them at all, or sparsely covered them on a back page. This is an ongoing media trick on how to handle relevant news, yet not part of their agenda. It happens all the time and just proved one of the Tea Party concerns. When they did cover a rally a step used by the media, in a large crowd of a few thousand people, they would try to try to find an outlier, a person dressed funny or who says something outrageous. Show him in the news and make him appear like he is representative of the Tea Party movement. (They are all like that.) You can always find one or a few. Then start to introduce words like "radical". Of course they were also called "racists". That is another trick, when you have no retort, call them racists...that always works and get attention away from the subject. . Say it over and over and over. After awhile, uniformed people will begin to believe it. They are radicals! They are racists. Television news people pick up on this quickly. Next the politicians picked up rapidly on this. House Leader, Nancy Pelosi, with a tear in her eye talked about the "balance between freedom and hatred"...how the (Tea Party) "rhetoric is frightening". Many other politicians expressed their concern over this "radical" and racists movement...including some of the Republican establishment who felt that their power and influence might be usurped. It is very sad since here we have a group of people who care deeply about their country labeled as extremists. Mission accomplished, for the most part, the very patriotic Tea Party movement was purposely mischaracterized.

I would strongly advise people, including the news media, and politicians to find out the truth. The Tea Party movement still exists and it's membership is not only those who sign up to join, or give a contribution...it is composed of millions of silent people who feel strongly in concern about the current direction of our country.