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You Just might be a Tea Partier if... The Tea Party Movement and Its Core Principles
Feb 27, 2015 10:06:18   #
JMHO Loc: Utah
 
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” —Thomas Jefferson

Core Principles

While there are several web sites being run under the umbrella of the political crusade known as the Tea Party Movement, no one entity is guiding this grassroots phenomenon. Everyday Americans are in charge. Americans who believe in freedom.

The Tea Party Movement is not a formal political party. It is, in all actuality, a non-partisan movement based on the philosophy of classical liberalism, which is the formal name of the political orientation held by America’s Founding Fathers.

While some of the tea party web sites detail more specifically how they view the American freedom agenda—with at least one tea party site listing as many as fifteen principles—there would seem to be three broad principles that they all share in common: 1) Constitutionally-Limited Government, 2) Free Markets, and 3) Fiscal Responsibility.

A Basis in Freedom

The Tea Party Movement has been accused by statists of being r****t. But, in reality, a founder of the movement, Niger Innis, is himself African-American. And Ted Cruz is a darling of tea-party patriots, so the movement is comfortable with Hispanic-American politicians as well. If you care to check out your local tea party, you might be surprised. You are liable find a group that is critical of both Democrats and Republicans, when it comes to enforcing the Bill of Rights, cutting government overspending, and keeping Uncle Sam out of the marketplace.

What tea partiers agree on is this: that America has created a recipe for individual freedom that is unparalleled; that America is exceptional because of its freedom and the economic blessings that American freedom bestows; that the American Dream is real for those who prepare for success and go out to find the opportunities to realize that success. Tea partiers believe everyone deserves to be free, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social group.

Classical Liberalism: What Is It, Exactly?

Classical liberalism calls for private-property rights for individuals; free-market trade for consumers; and rule-of-law limits for government. Constitutional guarantees of freedom for religion, speech, press, and association are regarded as crucial. Classical liberals—often called Constitutional conservatives or libertarians—advocate civil liberties for a civil society, along with the notion that the government which governs least is the government which governs best. Proponents of classical liberalism are well-known: Adam Smith, John Locke, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Alexis de Tocqueville, Ayn Rand, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and Thomas Sowell among them.

Classical liberalism holds individual liberty and freedom from coercion in the highest esteem. Modern liberals, or progressives, tend to hold individual liberty in disdain and have no qualms about coercing people. Ten principles of classical liberalism are listed below. Test yourself, as you read, to see how you might compare to America's Founders:

One: Liberty

Liberty is the top political value. When a political decision is made, the overriding concern is whether the decision will expand or reduce individual freedom.

Two: Individual Freedom

Individual rights are respected over collective rights. This is why the Bill of Rights is all-important; it protects the rights of each individual over the tyranny of the mob. These rights cannot be canceled at the caprice of any temporary majority. Ayn Rand once said, “The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.”

Three: Skepticism of State Power

When politicians tell you they are making a law for your own good, what they are planning is really for their own good. Classical liberals believe the individual alone is the best judge of his or her own interests, thus every problem should be solved with the most freedom possible, to allow each individual latitude to act for his or her own benefit.

Four: Rule of Law

There is no freedom in a world where the rules can change abruptly. End-runs by government officials, around established law, makes of the world an unpredictable and hostile arena. Carefully laid plans can be dashed in a heartbeat, making life difficult for responsible planners.

Five: Civil Society

Classical liberals believe problems can best be solved by voluntary associations and actions. Private charities help the poor more flexibly and responsively than far-away central planners. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) make more relevant suggestions concerning school governance than any government body. In neighborhoods, solutions to problems should be sought from among worship communities or other civil-society groups before state authorities are involved, often imposing solutions that serve only the purposes of government.

Six: Spontaneous Organization

Human beings can create societal order out of spontaneous interactions, without government. A woman living in a neighborhood can decide to organize a community watch group, ask for volunteers, and become, at least initially, the de facto leader of the group. A man might decide to organize a church, synagogue, or charity along the same traditional lines. Many of the best societal institutions have formed in this way. The rules of civil society are traditionally self-structuring and based on real-world, common-sense experiences.

Seven: Free Markets

Economic exchange is a voluntary activity between individuals and can never be forced, by government entities or anybody else. To mandate such activity would mean the commandeering of private property for a state purpose never intended by its owner. Leaving economic interaction to free markets—rather than government-regulated ones—increases prosperity and well-being, while reducing poverty and misery. Free markets promote wealth creation, which, in turn, grows individual liberty and economic opportunity.

Eight: Tolerance

This is the belief that, as long as an action does not infringe anyone’s rights, it should be permitted. “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” are the famous words of Voltaire biographer Evelyn Beatrice Hall. These words, often erroneously attributed to Voltaire himself, are an example of tolerance. Government should never regulate free speech, for, in so doing, it requires that people hold their tongues, out of fear of government reprisal for any remarks deemed offensive. Political satire, stand-up comedy, or even a full-on debate of important issues could all become extinct, reducing the public’s ability to fully air concerns and solve problems about such important matters as Muslim terrorism or welfare overspending. (Muslims or welfare recipients might be offended.) Muslim writer and religious critic Salman Rushdie perhaps put it best: “Without the freedom to offend, free speech ceases to exist.”

Nine: Peace

Peace is not possible, unless all honor the principle of free movement of capital, labor, goods, services, and ideas. Without universal respect for this principle, there will always be conflicts about how money should be used, what goods and services should be permitted, and which ideas should be allowed into speech or print.

Ten: Constitutionally-Limited Government

There are very few powers that the government should be permitted. The main job of government is to protect life, liberty, and property, according to rule of law. Ronald Reagan once clarified this principle, saying, “Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”

So How Did You Do?

If you agreed with six or more of the above principles, you are likely a Constitutional conservative who would feel comfortable at tea party. Or, as Larry Elder might choose to express, “You’re a libertarian, but you just didn’t know it.”

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Feb 27, 2015 10:22:50   #
JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida
 
We in the area Party are equal opportunity big government bashers.

Reply
Feb 27, 2015 10:22:59   #
JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida
 
JFlorio wrote:
We in the area Party are equal opportunity big government bashers.

Reply
 
 
Feb 27, 2015 10:23:32   #
JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida
 
Tea. Damn spell check.

Reply
Feb 28, 2015 18:05:46   #
permafrost Loc: Minnesota
 
When I first started posting on OPP, someone told me to check out what the Tea Party stood for. So I did that, looked at a number of websites and was very surprised to find such a consistent and worthy listing of goals and standards.. I was very impressed with those principles..

So from that time on, I have been watching for those values to be expressed on the forum..

When that happens, I will truly let that poster know how much I respect them and his party..

So far it has been well over a year and half, no one has come remotely close to those ideals beyond lip service..

Keep working... You guys may get it yet...

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 07:58:37   #
JMHO Loc: Utah
 
permafrost wrote:
When I first started posting on OPP, someone told me to check out what the Tea Party stood for. So I did that, looked at a number of websites and was very surprised to find such a consistent and worthy listing of goals and standards.. I was very impressed with those principles..

So from that time on, I have been watching for those values to be expressed on the forum..

When that happens, I will truly let that poster know how much I respect them and his party..

So far it has been well over a year and half, no one has come remotely close to those ideals beyond lip service..

Keep working... You guys may get it yet...
When I first started posting on OPP, someone told ... (show quote)


And, you will never get it because you're a liberal. But, you keep trying.

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 10:06:58   #
permafrost Loc: Minnesota
 
JMHO wrote:
And, you will never get it because you're a liberal. But, you keep trying.


JMHO,

to be t***hful, the know-it-alls at the coffee shop said I am in no way a conservative and make a lousy liberal. So they declared me a conservative democrat.... I will stick to that classification..

Reply
 
 
Mar 1, 2015 10:11:11   #
JMHO Loc: Utah
 
permafrost wrote:
JMHO,

to be t***hful, the know-it-alls at the coffee shop said I am in no way a conservative and make a lousy liberal. So they declared me a conservative democrat.... I will stick to that classification..


They're wrong...you're no conservative, at least by your posts.

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 10:20:20   #
permafrost Loc: Minnesota
 
JMHO wrote:
They're wrong...you're no conservative, at least by your posts.


I think they were ridiculing my views, as in there is no such thing as a Conservative who is Democrat... But who knows, I am what I am, all over the board..

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 10:31:53   #
Sons of Liberty Loc: look behind you!
 
permafrost wrote:
When I first started posting on OPP, someone told me to check out what the Tea Party stood for. So I did that, looked at a number of websites and was very surprised to find such a consistent and worthy listing of goals and standards.. I was very impressed with those principles..

So from that time on, I have been watching for those values to be expressed on the forum..

When that happens, I will truly let that poster know how much I respect them and his party..

So far it has been well over a year and half, no one has come remotely close to those ideals beyond lip service..

Keep working... You guys may get it yet...
When I first started posting on OPP, someone told ... (show quote)

I have signed every petition, their Tea Party "War Pledge" fax's, and even talked to them on the phone. They called here one day and asked if I'd give them my opinion as to what direction I'd point the GOP in. I told them that since they are not doing what they promised to do when we v**ed them all in this past November, they should seriously give some thought as to growing a pair and jerk "O" out of office and try him and his administration for treason. I have sent many e-mails to Senators to grow the same pair. I haven't received any responses yet, but I bet I'm sitting at, or at least near the top of the big list.

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 10:32:08   #
JMHO Loc: Utah
 
permafrost wrote:
I think they were ridiculing my views, as in there is no such thing as a Conservative who is Democrat... But who knows, I am what I am, all over the board..


Well, I used to be what was considered a conservative Democrat, like "Scoop" Jackson (the last of the conservative Democrats, Sam Nunn was another one). That is until Carter came along, and I have never v**ed for a Democrat since. And, after spending 22-years in the military, I have moved more and more to the right...as the Democrat Party has moved more and more to the left (almost off the map). I only v**e Republican because they're the closest to my beliefs, but I have a real problem with the GOP establishment and the RINOs.

Being a liberal is easy...it's the easy choice...you don't have to stand for anything.

Reply
 
 
Mar 1, 2015 12:27:31   #
permafrost Loc: Minnesota
 
JMHO wrote:
Well, I used to be what was considered a conservative Democrat, like "Scoop" Jackson (the last of the conservative Democrats, Sam Nunn was another one). That is until Carter came along, and I have never v**ed for a Democrat since. And, after spending 22-years in the military, I have moved more and more to the right...as the Democrat Party has moved more and more to the left (almost off the map). I only v**e Republican because they're the closest to my beliefs, but I have a real problem with the GOP establishment and the RINOs.

Being a liberal is easy...it's the easy choice...you don't have to stand for anything.
Well, I used to be what was considered a conservat... (show quote)


I appreciate the first paragraph but do not agree with you last line. I get pretty stuck on most issues and do change my thinking easily.. One vet to another, thank you for your service..

Reply
Mar 1, 2015 12:28:53   #
permafrost Loc: Minnesota
 
Sons of Liberty wrote:
I have signed every petition, their Tea Party "War Pledge" fax's, and even talked to them on the phone. They called here one day and asked if I'd give them my opinion as to what direction I'd point the GOP in. I told them that since they are not doing what they promised to do when we v**ed them all in this past November, they should seriously give some thought as to growing a pair and jerk "O" out of office and try him and his administration for treason. I have sent many e-mails to Senators to grow the same pair. I haven't received any responses yet, but I bet I'm sitting at, or at least near the top of the big list.
I have signed every petition, their Tea Party &quo... (show quote)


clearly, you have a knack for making friends, or at least to be well known...LOL

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