Venom for the Tea Party

While the country basks in the revenge of killing bin Laden, I noticed something else in the news. -Two United States Senators railing about the Tea Party. It was not the usual political dribble but nasty stuff. Listening to these sad sacks, you would think all people associated in some way with the Tea Party or its beliefs are the progeny of Rosemary’s Baby. It was all the insults without the Donald Trump profanity.

The essence was something to the effect that these “Tea Party People” are morons, cannot think for themselves and are ruining the country. They all wear those grey uniforms with the crooked cross, jackboots and beat up minorities for fun. Being in the Tea Party is being a “hater”. Venom was dripping from the fangs of each one of these gentlemen. It was not just the two distinguished members of the world’s most deliberative body held different views from your average Tea Party Joe. It was personal. Under most circumstances, this kind of nonsense rolls off me as I have heard most of the political insults and descriptions out there. I make disparaging comments on this or that, that person or this person from time to time. Shame on me.  However, these separate episodes stuck me as being beyond the pale, symptomatic of political meanness.

 My personal exposure to the Tea Party is being accidentally enveloped by a rally last year after emerging from one of the Washington metro. I do not remember seeing any horns on the heads, pitchforks or pointy tails. The people all looked normal to me except for the silly signs and hats. I am not always sure exactly what the Tea Party represents or if it is a political party at all. I think it is for lower taxes, less government spending and less government regulation. Those do not sound like things that would ruin the county or sound the alarm for the storm troopers to gather. People associated with the Tea Party did not deserve this kind of inflammatory garbage.

There is political nastiness and cheap rhetoric everywhere. Conservatives have used horrible terms about liberals, the President, no excuse for that. There is a difference between disagreeing with a person and treating them with contempt for what they believe in. In fact, actually believing in something is rare to find. Believing is more than thinking I am right and you are wrong. It is a feeling, a calling, and some internal intangible. It is a quality in a person I respect. Real believers are ready to take action, manifest their beliefs, and backup their beliefs with personal conduct. I say again, I respect that. Of course, there are instances where belief manifests itself in reprehensible acts but not applicable in the case of Tea Party. 

 I am not sure where all the evil against the Tea Party comes from.  The attitude of these Senators does not advance resolution of real national issues or contribute to national debate. What are they afraid of? Ideas? Debate? Choices? I hope I can disagree with someone but still respect him or her and manifest that respect. I do not have to like person but I can appreciate their belief in something.  As for these two Senators, well, I know them and I can say I do not respect them, probably never will. They only believe in---well, they do not really believe in anything.