As a fellow grassroots activist, let me first say that I feel your pain. Some (maybe even most) of you are out there doing the First Amendment thing. You're frustrated by government. You feel out of control. You probably get your news from FOX or another of the cable stations so you're even more misinformed than the rest of us who avoid those corporatist outlets. You see suffering that's normally reserved for "Cadillac-driving Welfare Queens" and other lazy bums starting to creep up the class ladder and it's scary. Maybe you're even suffering yourself - lost your job or watched your portfolio take a hit. It's not exactly wondering where your next meal is coming from or how you'll pay for your kid's asthma meds, but it's still discomforting and, depending on your age, may be genuinely frightening. You want to get that feeling of control back. You want people to know what you know and pay attention. I hear that. I live that. So when I see you being mocked and called crazy, I feel some sympathy. It's not quite empathy because, based on what I understand of this teabagging movement, it's all about not paying taxes and scapegoating the "illegals," which makes me think that your movement is basically lazy and selfish and willing to be led by a truly hideous element of our society. But I know it hurts to believe something is true and noble and be laughed at because of it. So I won't laugh at you.
Here's what I will do: I'll keep organizing communities that work for reduced military spending because our war economy is an abomination. I will keep working for fair tax policy that works to have everyone and every corporation pay their fair share. I will keep organizing for health care reform that covers everyone, reduces costs and improves care through the inclusion of a strong and independent public health insurance plan option. I'll keep working to improve the chances you and your children and their children have to succeed by working to ensure government investment in human needs programs that help all of us - even the lazy bums who don't deserve it because, you know, it's in all our best economic interests to do so and because my moral center compels me to.
In the meantime, here's something you won't see on FOX or the rest of the cable news shows.
Yes, I feel their - which is to say, Dick Armey's - pain. The pain of outrage that rich people may have to pay 3% more in taxes than last year (after increasing their income some 30%) is indeed a pain to which I think we can all relate.
I wonder, do the TBers really understand that's all Glenn Beck ($3M+/yr salary) is shedding tears over?
Great vid. I had some nice phone conversations with David but I didn't know what he looked like. Hell, he looks like...me! Only not as scruffy and down-home.
Posted by: Mick | April 16, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I wonder, do the TBers really understand that's all Glenn Beck ($3M+/yr salary) is shedding tears over?
I don't think most of them do. It's pathetic.
Posted by: eRobin | April 16, 2009 at 04:33 PM