Tea Party Fever Pitch
April 17, 2010 
34 Comments
It was a beautiful day for a Tea Party in Spokane. There I was, sitting on the sunny steps of the Spokane Convention Center, listening as my friend John Waite (who lost in the primary race for City Council against Nancy McLaughlin last year) got booed for asking the crowd to consider third party candidates.
I found equal horror – and wonder – at the thousands of people here and the perversion of all the contradictions. It is really not that surprising to see this in Spokane. Judging by the license plates, no doubt a large number of the audience traveled from the North Idaho woodwork, a bastion of conservatism, as they would for a RV show.
(Example: There were far more environmentalists than tea partiers at the Earth Hour protest in front of Spokane City Hall.) Idaho Governor Butch Otter spoke which lends a scary legitimacy to the proceedings and his words of state rights whipped through the crowd to a standing ovation. The biggest shock were candidates shaking hands, as an obscene passing sign said “Obama is doing what Osama did,” showing their true colors. They were:
- Steve Salvatori, (R) running for County Commissioner
- John Ahern, (R) running for State Representative
- Michael Baumgartner, (R) running for State Representative
Two of three have been endorsed which is precisely why they will lose. If there is one profound reality in Spokane politics, it is that when the city makes any advancement, it is going to be met with creatively crazy opposition such as “Get The U.N. out of Spokane” (as a rally sign read). So far, local conventional wisdom says the Tea Party is toxic to any politician they endorse. One wonders why Salvatori – who has won over some local greenies – tip-toed around a Tea Party endorsement even after taking the Lincoln Day and Medical Lake Polar Plunge with party celebrity Sherriff Ozzie Knezovich?
Perhaps he’s uncomfortable associating amongst Tea Partiers after watching Mike Fagan’s unsuccessful bid for City Council go down with 37% of the vote in District 1. However, he was comfortable enough to be there and perhaps has different plans than he wants the public to know.
One sign said “Remember November.” Indeed. The hypocrisy will not go unnoticed.
About the Author
There were so many people at Earth Day today it blew all these fear-based Tea Party folks out of the water! But lets see if Earth Day gets as much play in the local press. I doubt it.
I think the TPers are hypocritical for decrying things like the Patriot Act, and then embracing the party that put it into place. They are trying to blame the recession on Obama, which is silly. The seeds of the recession were sown long before he ever came to office – during the Bush presidency and as a result of Regan’s deregulation of loaning practices.
They just love to imagine threats that don’t exist. Like the whole Oath Keepers thing? Go ahead guys, carry your guns around to your heart’s content. The Fed isn’t planning on interning its own citizens any time soon, I mean REALLY.
Every economist with two letters to their name demanded a stimulus package. The whole country would have really gone TU without it. I think people on both sides can agree that more of that money should have been deployed at the local level, so now we have to turn to reforming the banking system that is “too big to fail”.
I wan’t there, but looking at the photos of the rally I’ve seen, seems like there were a LOT of grey-hairs. No disrespect to the elderly intended, but I think that’s a key to understanding the tea party. They’re old, and with age comes anxiety. I think evil politicians and evil rich guys (see: Rupert Murdoch) are exploiting the natural tendency of the elderly to experience fear at growing old and being surpassed by the next generation. Not a universal rule (there’s always been gun-toting rednecks involved who seem to be a bit younger).
As a member of Generation Y, I think we will be more tolerant of socialist ideas such as greater taxes on the uber-rich and universal health care for everyone. I think the tea party was created as a fearful response that my generation won’t care about the elderly, and we won’t give them social security, and so on.
Thank you Pope!
I attended this rally to check things out as well. Aside from all the crazy insinuations, I was actually struck by the grains of truth in the Tea Party message.
For example, one speaker listed “food security” as a call to action. (Note it wasn’t called “increasing access to local food.”) A guy behind me yelled, “Yeah, let’s give the farmers their jobs back!” Another sign said “Grow Food, Not Government.”
I wonder how many of these folks are shopping at the Main Market Co-op? Are they willing to pay more for food that isn’t subsidized by enormous Federal and State agriculture hand-outs?
Another point was “energy independence.” (Note it wasn’t called “renewable/green/clean/wind/solar energy.”) Then another guy within earshot yelled “Oil is a renewable resource!” Then a different speaker completely dismissed the notion of creating green jobs.
What if part of achieving energy independence means that we have to find ways to use less of it? What if it meant we had to embrace so-called “green” technologies because all of our domestic oil and uranium won’t be enough to last us much beyond a few decades?
All in all it was a pretty confusing experience.
Now that Fox News has apparently officially disowned the tea party, I wonder how much longer it will last?
Thank you for the perspective, Mariah. I was bummed to miss both the Tea Party rally and the Earth Day celebration.
For not being associated (so they claim) with a particular political party, you’d think the Tea Partiers would be open to John Waite’s message of supporting third party candidates.
As a Spokanite residing out-of-state, I want to say thanks for the updates on what’s going on in the city! Interesting perspective… did you see the story on CNN about true Socialist identifiers saying Obama is in no way a socialist? I much prefer isolating the mudslinging to election times…
I have to think that John knows what he was getting into. That he did speak is indicative that the organisers where willing to entertain trains of thought that deviated from the party line.
This is not really a new sentiment in this area, that Spokane overwhelmingly voted for Ron Paul during the Republican primaries shows that the Libertarian streak in this area is alive and well. The tea party has some legitimate greivences, but the way they go about airing them undermines their argument.
*le sigh*
Spovangelist wrote,
“What if part of achieving energy independence means that we have to find ways to use less of it?”
Why would we wish to be energy independent? Why wouldn’t we prefer to obtain energy from the cheapest available source? Should we also try to be “automobile independent” (no more Hondas, BMWs, or Volvos), shoe-independent (no more Ferragamos or Reeboks), and beer-independent (no more St. Pauli Girl or Urquell)?
Should the rest of the world try to be “movie-independent,” “computer-independent,” “software independent,” and “airplane-independent”?
“What if it meant we had to embrace so-called “green” technologies because all of our domestic oil and uranium won’t be enough to last us much beyond a few decades?”
Nothing lasts forever. As production of oil and uranium gradually fall below demand, prices will gradually rise. As they do, more investment will be made in alternative technologies. No subsidies, political posturing, or hysterical doom-crying will be necessary.
Contrarian- I don’t necessarily believe in energy independence the same way many commentors on this site do. However, the less we use foreign sources of energy the less we transfer our wealth to other countries. Though I am not opposed to the transfer I am when so much of this money ends up in the hands of those that wish us ill. And hey, if we are able to keep that wealth at home, so much the better. That being said, all sources of energy at home need to be explored.
Also, to have government completely step out of the loop of capitalism leads to sweatshops with child labor. It leads to power being concentrated with the employers/managers/executives. Government all in also leads to power being concentrated with government officials. I advocate some middle ground to keep the power from concentrating with a few individuals, whether they be business leaders or government leaders.
For the others- please stop dismissing Tea Party people as crazies with no merit. These people are your fellow citizens. I do not like much of their political ideology. However, I do not like a political ideology that constantly looks down at the other side as being ignorant either. Just because someone may disagree with your view does not mean their view is not founded in at least some truth. Many of these people are likely acting out of fear. But many of them are also basing their beliefs and actions from historical perspective. I don’t believe the current Tea Party to be anything more than a fad. However, do you think past revolutionaries were chided any less by their fellow citizens than what you do now?
cousin Brian- You say their methods of airing grievances are incorrect. From someone sitting in the middle I see these methods being used by both sides. When the left does it the right sees them as a bunch of protesting nut-jobs. When the right does in the left sees them as a bunch of protesting nut-jobs.
Again, I don’t necessarily side with many of the views from this movement. Even though I don’t side with the views though I don’t simply dismiss them as being from the other side.
Greg wrote,
“However, the less we use foreign sources of energy the less we transfer our wealth to other countries.”
We should transfer our wealth to other countries whenever they can produce something better/cheaper than we can. Then we should get it back by producing something else better than they can.
“Also, to have government completely step out of the loop of capitalism leads to sweatshops with child labor.”
I agree. There is a role for government. The age-old problem is to keep it confined to that role. Unfortunately, governments, like all other organizations, seek to grow, and constantly strive to expand that role.
Thanks for the Shout out. I had a great time, was treated with polite respect, got a few cheers, got LOTS OF BOO’s. But the crowd was angry abiut government (but not angry about Republicans?) But it was one of those life experiences you have to take when offered. I did a rough head count and would say there was 2000-2500 from my point of view. They invited me as their “token Independent”, but the rally was decidedly a Republican love fest. My two main observations were
1) Where was all this anger when Bush was ruining our country doing most of the same things Obama is doing now? Patriot act, War in Iraq, Plan B socialized drug plan. When I brought this stuff up, people boo’ed like the Republicans didn’t have anything to do with the problems. I guess we really don’t learn the lessons of history.
2) This was a GOP event regardless of what anyone says. When I talked about supporting third parties and Independents, I got LOTS OF BOO’s. Why would any “independent” group boo alternative political choices? Unless they are not really independents.
John Waite
makegovwork.org
Oh Mariah McKay Queen of The Spovangelist, could you be more of a mooncalf? Yes Fagan lost, but today he would probably win as folks have seen an eyeful of the gal they elected in the City of Spokane first district. As Amber reveals her true way left of mainstream nature by her votes and rhetoric, she will be the third or forth council rep not to be re-elected along with Jon Synder in 2013; assuming she does not get recalled by then….
In your sophomoric political analysis of the effect of a tea party endorsement, you failed to mention that your good pal John Waite, got pulverized, again, in the 2009 Primary election by the arguably conservative Nancy McLaughlin (and another somewhat less conservative also ran, or two.)
Nancy benefited from Tea Party support in 2009 and Waite came in an extreme distant third or forth if I recall. This, despite having a good chunk of the most liberal voting area in the State of Washington…(The State 3rd District)
According to the return data at county elections, McLaughlin won EVERY SINGLE precinct in her district with at least 45% of the votes. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Doesn’t seem to jive with your proclamation that the Tea Party endorsement is the kiss of death….does it?
Is this what they are teaching you at leadership school?
Look and only see what you wish to see versus what is actually happening?
Didn’t work out for you with Prop 4 either did it….
Since you are considering a run for City Council in 2011, consider that if elected, you will need to be plug into reality not rhetoric. Otherwise, continue with your mooncalf musing with The Spovangelist and leave elected public service to the non-pathetically partisan politicians….
Oh Spowind, it’s always nice to hear your criticisms. It’s refreshing that 8 months later your still compulsing on my failed political run. And it’s always a good reminder how close minded you are. But it was refreshing to have the Tea Party leadership show a bit more open mindedness than you on inviting me. Thanks for all the enlightened comments, and try to get out and have some fun. Life’s too short.
John Waite:
I see the wounds are licked and healed; mostly…actually if you recall (or perhaps you mentally blocked it) its ‘…failed political runs…’2009 was not the first misguided campaign you headlined. You are becoming the male version of Barb Lampert….
I did not hear from you after my dead on prediction concerning your outcome last summer (Primary 2009). It seems all my critics on The Spovangelist were silenced as well…at least for a while.
Truth hurts dude. I’m glad you worked up the gumption to comment about remarks regarding Mariah and her misguided machinations. It is good that you can talk about it now. I find it humorous you are attempting to label me as “close minded” just because you don’t care for what I write. Rather closed mind of you hmmmmm…..What we first think we see in others we know to be true in ourselves, John…
One final point; you can try and hang a label on me if this makes you feel better or somehow appeals to your limited fan base; but it won’t change the fact the I predicted the Primary outcomes last year with accuracy. I warned you that you were unprepared and were going to lose big and you mocked me as you are doing with your current barbarous comments. You were as wrong then as McKay is now with her Tea Party statements.
It’s not personal; it’s just the truth.
Rebuke a fool and they will despise you; rebuke a wise man and they will love you.
Are you being a fool John?
Dear Spowind,
I think it might help if you looked at the byline on this article. The Spovangelist as a blog now has two contributing writers, and the Pope is the author of this piece.
You can see by my earlier comment as The Spovangelist that I would have taken a slightly different tack in reflecting on the Tea Party rally. I won’t deny that I may agree with some of the Pope’s observations, but I am less certain of the effect of a Tea Party endorsement on local candidates.
As for the mooncalfing and the like, that is a new one to me. I had no idea I was planning a run for office in 2011. I wasn’t even aware there was an opening in my district for that matter, thanks for the suggestion?
As much anger and derision as you appear to have stored up for me, I hope that you will try to understand that as a blogger I honestly appreciate that you take the time to comment.
Comments are the lifeblood of any lively online forum, and I think that overall we’ve built up a space where people can actually read comments back and forth that respond to each other and have a passable level of informative dialog. Cheers to that.
Ahh Spowind, you are all too kind. But slander is always the last refuge of ??? I’m just out there having a good time and trying to make the world a better place. Maybe you should be brave, go public with your real identity, and make your own political run. I’d love to know who the man “hiding behind the mask” is. I’m sure you have much to say and offer. And I talk to my friend Nancy McLaughlin every couple of weeks. I’m sure she would find your take on all this very amusing.
Finally – Mooncalf? I had to look that one up on-line. I don’t think anyone has used that phrase in decades. Is that something you guys say on a regular basis?
Here is the wiki definition for the rest of us. – “Mooncalf is used as a derogatory term to indicate someone is a dullard, fool or otherwise not particularly bright or sharp. For example, W. C. Fields in “The Bank Dick” (1940) advises his prospective son-in-law to avoid being a “mooncalf” by buying shares he has been beguiled into believing are worth much more than the proffered price.”
EUREKA!! I’ve learned a worthless bit of information today.
Peace and all that.
Mariah:
Opps, I am the victim of a false assumption…I thought you were Pope and it was some kind of inside Spovangelist joke…(Small yet mighty translates into you do EVERYTHING…)
There really is a Pope….Hmmmmmm
Well then Pope’s pontifications were sub par…. His papal points crucified the truth on the cross of partisanship….
Damn. I could have at some fun writing a Pope version…..oh well…..
Opportunity lost.
As for me having any “…anger and derision …stored up for you…”,
Please…..Mariah, is this some sort of shrinking violet thingy??????
My comments were obviously directed at the non-fictional Pope who apparently is the true person responsible for the above-mentioned tripe….
You did stated, however the following:
“I had no idea I was planning a run for office in 2011. I wasn’t even aware there was an opening in my district for that matter, thanks for the suggestion?”
You expect your readers to believe that you were not planning a city council run in 2011 when in 2009 you considered a run? Really? You don’t know that every two years there is a council seat open in every district in the City of Spokane? Really?
You are a member of the Leadership Spokane Class of 2010 and you are not aware of the political structure of the city? Really?
I don’t think ANYONE is floating this titanic stretch of the truth kiddo…the iceberg of reason is looming in the dark of night….
What the readers and fans are thinking now is that you are a poor liar. Not the best way to start out a campaign….
One last note: You are correct with regards to commentary on blogs. Vibrant comments encourage others to contribute. Thoughts get refined, perceptions get sharpened and ideas get exchanged. This is an improvement to democracy and the body politic. Imagine if Dorothy Parker were alive and computer savvy…
John Waite:
Slander John, really? How did I slander you? Are you currently using medical Mary-Jane? (Slander would be if I wrote are you STILL using medical Mary Jane…)
No, the truth is not slander Mr. Waite. When I pen, I opine. I stand by my words; letting history, and the reader, jury the jive. You’re not even in public office and you are trying to spin the truth….
Why are you so concerned about my identity? Truth spoken from an animated character or from the lips of a president is still truth. The true source of the truth is irrelevant unless one seeks to silence it, John….
I am rather dismayed that you are somewhat rattled however.
Public office is not unlike a crucible; lots of heat and pressure. The dross gets boiled or scoped off and what’s left is the true character or metal of the man.
If my coarse colorful comments have given you pause, then brother you have no business being in elected office….
Doug Clark would eat you alive on a monthly basis. Citizens you have never met would callously chastise you because you did not vote, as they would have. It is a thankless gig dude…
Have a “good time” make “the world a better place”, hang out with the elected and politicalphiles;, but elected public office is not a place for you. Ya don’t have the chops kid. To much thin air perhaps….
“Public office is not unlike a crucible; lots of heat and pressure. The dross gets boiled or scoped off and what’s left is the true character or metal of the man.”
Oh Spowind, you certainly are interesting. But I would never trust the advice of anyone that speaks “the truth” while hiding behind the curtain. We have all learned that lesson in the last few years.
PS – You should be ashamed of accusing Mariah of lying about anything. She’s about as honest as it gets. -1 for you..
When I first read this post I was surprised that the Spovangelist as a blog would put out something that was simply attacking people for the letter behind their name and then using anecdotal evidence to dismiss the entire rally. (I was aware of the Pope by line a few posts back). For a minute there I thought I was watching network news… But then the Spovangelist herself came on and addressed some ideas associated with the tea party movement. I much prefer ideas to people. So when I criticise President Obama as being unqualified to run our country it is based on his actions that started as ideas, not the color of his skin… Or which country he was born in… Or whether or not he uses his real name when posting on a blog. What if instead of using your real name you used small business owner or maybe comic book guy? Should we care more or less about your theories on how our city is run? If you think that information is needed you might be a racist, a classist, or some other -ist, depending on what specific thing you want to use to dismiss someones ideas. Please move beyond people and personalities and focus on ideas. The Tea Party Movement is against the idea that giving our money to the federal government in the form of taxes is the answer to all our social ills. You would think that with all her “localize it” grandstanding the Spovangelist would support this movement as it would help keep discretionary income local. That would mean more money for everything from elementary education to hostels.
Dear 30 yr old single white male,
You are very right that I found many of the re-localizing themes at the Tea Party appealing. Compared to many young people in my social sphere, I was less excited about the Obama campaign precisely because it was taking place on a national scale. I did celebrate when he got elected, but I chose to spend the bulk of my volunteer time elsewhere.
There is re-localizing decision making, and re-localizing money. The question is what does this mean, how do we go about it, and is that desirable? People like Contrarian think the only criteria for exchanging goods and services should be the price upon point of purchase. I don’t see how that will result in a more localized, self-reliant economy. To me that is a prescription for putting your small business out of work once some Chinese T-shirt printer is able to reach American consumers through the internet. It is good for China, but….
I was surprised that Butch Otter expressed disappointment at the Feds turning governor races to a direct vote of the people as opposed to having State Senates appointing their governors. He couched the issue as an example of infringement on state’s rights. But wouldn’t a direct vote of the people in that state be a more powerful expression of that state’s decision-making authority?
That was another message that I liked from the Tea Party rally: Everyone needs to get out there, learn their history lessons and vote. When I study history I may come to different conclusions about the importance of financial and environmental regulations, for example, but yes, it would be great if everyone would vote. I don’t think it is the end-all be-all of civic life like some people do, but I do think it is extremely important and worthwhile.
Spowind,
You haven’t done enough digging on me if you think I’m interested in running against Richard Rush in 2011. By “open seat” I meant one in which the majority of my interests aren’t already being represented. I have no desire to run for the sake of running. Like you, I see public office as a difficult job where people sling a lot of needless mud.
I think you meant state senator- not governor. I wholly agree with this and can explain it. The key term is “unfunded mandate”. More later…
Spovangelist wrote,
“I don’t see how that will result in a more localized, self-reliant economy. To me that is a prescription for putting your small business out of work once some Chinese T-shirt printer is able to reach American consumers through the internet.”
It won’t. It will only result in a more prosperous economy. You should try to keep in mind what an “economy” is. An economy is system of cooperative production characterized by a division of labor — wherein each producer specializes in refining a particular skill or efficiently producing a particular product, which they then exchange for the goods or services produced by others with other well-developed skills. It allows each consumer to obtain goods of much higher quality and much lower costs than would be possible if each of them produced everything they needed themselves. The larger the pool of producers and the finer the division of labor, the more efficient the system becomes, and the greater the return everyone realizes on their investments of time and resources.
If the local entrepreneur cannot produce T-shirts as cheaply as a Chinese competitor, then he needs to either refine his skills, improve his technology, or switch to a different product he can produce competitively. Otherwise he will be wasting his time and those who purchase his overpriced shirts will be wasting their money.
I buy locally made products whenever I can — but only if they are at least equal in quality to those produced elsewhere, and any price premium is justified by premium quality.
BTW, Mariah, local producers, like American entrepreneurs in general, are not uncompetitive because they lack skills or their technology is inferior. They are uncompetitive because the political overhead they must cover is much greater than in other locales. The new health care law will add substantially to that disadvantage.
For someone fresh from Leadership Spokane 2010 and plugged into all things green and liberal in the Lilac City, you certainly are either naive or dishonest. Rush is going to run for Council President. He is as drunk with power as Middle Eastern teenage terrorist would be with an atomic bomb in Manhattan. Rush’s pathetic political posturing with his new found JAR (Jon Amber Richard) voting block is as big a clue as all outdoors. Rush has had a taste of power and really, really likes it. Shogan of course if gone, gone and will not be seeking another term as C-Prez. Corker who also craves control will make a stab at council Prez as well. Maybe we will see yet another distant third or forth place finish in the Primary for Waite next year….
Rush’s run for Cprez of course of course will free up his seat in the City 2nd…and a McKay all the way campaign….(Some free political advice: lose the HOPE with your picture in a communist Obama styled motif…All things Obama will be as popular next year as GW Bush at the 2008 DNC convention…)
What troubles me is that you stated previously: “I wasn’t even aware there was an opening in my district for that matter, thanks for the suggestion? “
Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to mislead….
Integrity, McKay…. A rare thing in Spokane politics….I was hoping you might be young and idealistic enough to have some left….
Oh well… Diogenes light your lamp; the search continues…
Spowind, you are hardly in the position to speak of integrity. You are just a troll looking to make trouble.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=20071214&id=L90nAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gPMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4760,2478827
Contrairian, Sometimes I agree with you, sometimes not. But today I have to say your being short sighted on economics. I cannot imagine that you cannot see the value in spending your “premium” to buy something local. Without a healthy local economy, communities wither and die. That’s the “value” in buying local, even if it cost you more.
As for us being able to compete with the world, we competed fine till NAFTA (the worse thing clinton ever did). brought global pricing on wages. How can we possibly compete with a country that pays workers 10 cents an hour? Cost of living in America is based on historic US levels, not world levels. We cannot shift on a dime and start paying $1.00 an hour to compete. If no one cares about a local (or national) economy, then buy wherever you please. But I want to have jobs for me and you in Spokane. This requires some local action and spending to save our local community. IE – Not sending 70% of profits through Walmat in Arkansas. And no one else is going to look out for us. Yes, I am a protectionist, and will fight for my community. Will you?
John,
As a protectionist are you in favor of repeal of the 17th amendment? I am interested in your tea party rally speech, any chance you could send me a copy. pmag1979@gmail.com.
It is hard to recommend this book without coming across as condescending but if you are interested in this thread you would be doing yourself a favor by reading Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell.
John Waite wrote,
“Without a healthy local economy, communities wither and die. That’s the “value” in buying local, even if it cost you more.”
I agree with the first statement there. But we disagree on what makes for a healthy local economy. A healthy economy is one in which participant produces those goods at which he is maximally efficient, and receives the greatest return on his investments of time and money. The local economy is not healthy when a portion of its resources are devoted to producing goods which can be produced more cheaply elsewhere, or when its consumers pay more for goods they could obtain more cheaply elsewhere. It is healthy when those inefficient producers begin to produce a product they can sell in China, or anywhere in the world, because they can beat the rest of the world on price or quality.
I do the local economy no good by paying $20 for a T-shirt I could buy for $15 from the Chinese. I do it some good when I send the $15 to China, and spend the extra $5 at Rocket Bakery, and the local T-shirt guy abandons that business and begins sending the Chinese $20 worth of iTunes.
“How can we possibly compete with a country that pays workers 10 cents an hour?”
By producing products that are less labor intensive.
I was going to post this last night but then I realized it’s Saturday night! But here it is for your improvement.
The Contrarian brings up a couple of good points. First my business is screen printing because I have a comparative advantage in it, for now. Second point directly relates to the first point. Don’t dismiss the science of economics. Greenies love to say right wingers are ignorant of the science behind global warming yet they refuse to acknowledge the realities of economics. China has an endless supply of low cost man hours. This gives them an absolute advantage in labor (as is the case in many developing countries). Something also overlooked by those out of the know is that the savings with the cheap labor outsourcing is usually directly related to how much less productive they are. As one who acknowledges the mechinations of a free market economy when jobs are outsourced I see it as the proper allocation of resources. I have already started to develop spinoffs of my business fully accepting of the fact that my labor intensive product will soon go the way of the dinosaurs. My new product is not neccessarily less labor intensive but more knowledge & technology based. This is all really basic economics- absolute advantage vs. comparative advantage.
Geez John you don’t seem all that peaceful all of a sudden…Troll; really; is that the best you can do????
I will paraphrase what I said earlier; Truth spoken by a president or a troll is still truth. Folks obsessed with the source only wish to silence it…
Ya seem a little obsessed there John…
Freedom of speech bothering you?
This is my first exposure to the Spovangelist, so I guess first I should say hello, and let everyone know that I am running as a Republican, in the race for County Commissioner. One of my supporters sent me the link to the Spovangelist, and let me know I was mentioned here by The Pope in regard to the Tea Party.
I am flattered and honored that you noticed I was there! That was the largest political rally I have attended in my short political career (on Earth Day, my campaign volunteers and I were doing the clean up of the old Quantum Coffee Hut property in Brownes Addition). I thought it was pretty impressive that so many people would show up to express their opinion. I find many things about the Tea Party fascinating, especially the de-centralized nature of their movement, and the level of grass roots participation they generate.
The main reason I chose to attend was because of my alarm over the amount of debt that our government has piled on over the past 9 years. Please note that I said nine years and not one year. This is a bi-partisan issue. Trillions of dollars, literally, is apparently going to be the gift that my generation passes on to yours. I am at once horrified, apologetic, apoplectic, angry, confused, and greatly saddened that my generation could have done this to you and me.
So, when I hear Tea Party, I hear grass roots anger combined with a high sense of realization of getting hosed over by a large group of both republican and democrat politicians who couldn’t keep their wallets closed. If it was your parents who did this to you, you would be filing for emancipation and claiming that you are not responsible for their debts.
I understand that when other people hear Tea Party, other things come to mind. I guess we all tend to see our own passions behind everyone elses motives. But those are honestly mine. If the Tea Party movement represents those that resent being saddled with trillions of dollars of debt, I am surprised they don’t have 200 million people in their ranks.
I am not claiming to be an expert on the Tea Party. I don’t know if they even have official membership, or if I even know anyone that belongs to it. Your blog mentions that I “tip-toed around a Tea Party Endorsement”. Pope, I’ve got size 12 feet, weigh 200 pounds (unfortunately) and I don’t tip-toe around anything. If there is a group who’s main contention is that our government is obligating us and our children to an unsustainable level of debt through irresponsible spending, then sign me up. And by the way, there would be a long line of intelligent Democrats ahead of me in that line who share the same concern about our level of debt, including Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
This is my first blog attempt (I’m an old dog) so I hope you are still with me. You were shocked by “candidates shaking hands” and “obscene signs”. I think I can help you sort through that part. Shaking hands is good, obscene signs are bad.
I’m usually a pretty quick study, but may I ask why you object that I took “The Medical Lake Polar Plunge”? That event raised money for the Special Olympics. Is that a bad thing in your view? And by the way, while the weather was great, I can tell you first hand the water was damn cold, and I would like to invite you to do it with me next year!
Seriously folks, I respect the opinions of others, and I have found in my life that I learn more from people who disagree with me than just surrounding myself with those that do. If anyone is wondering what I truly stand for, I am not hard to get to know. E-Mail me, call me, stop by the Spokane Entrepreneurial Center at 608 W. 2nd Ave, or at least check out our campaign website at votesalvatori.com.
I hope that if any of you see me out on the campaign trail, you will take the time to come up and say hello, and give me a piece of your mind. It’s easy to have a political argument, much tougher to have a conversation. Certainly, we can all probably agree on questions. Answers are tougher because they come in sizes such as right, wrong, practical, impractical, etc. But if we had a common goal of sorting through the answers, searching for solutions (my definition – “A solution is an answer that works”) then perhaps we can actually accomplish something great together.