Extremism in the News: The Tea Party Movement
by: Moderate Thinking
10. Feb, 2010 
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This past September, I was downtown on a Saturday when a gigantic rally/protest was taking place. I wasn't a participant in this demonstration, but tens, if not hundreds of thousands of Americans from all over the country congregated to show their anger and dissatisfaction with our government. This protest was one of many which were part of the rapidly growing “Tea Party Movement.”
The large number of people made my 30-minute subway ride home turn into a crowded two hours. Nevertheless, I was able to talk to a number of interesting, not to mention fired-up, American citizens.
For instance, I enjoyed a conversation with two grandmothers from Alabama. They were very friendly (not to mention clueless on how to use public transportation, but I happily assisted them). They were indeed enthusiastic after the protest, and encouraged me to look more into the movement. They also warned me not to trust any news source outside of Fox News.
While the Tea Party movement has grown rapidly since coming together in early 2009, there are many different groups and individuals affiliated with the movement, many who focus on different political issues. Nevertheless, the most common values expressed by those affiliated with this movement include fiscal responsibility, and constitutionally limited government.
This past week, a large convention of supporters of this conservative movement held their first “convention” in Nashville, Tennessee, headlined by a number of well-known conservative political figures. I did not watch the proceedings, though I read the text of a number of the speeches given. I have to admit, the rise of this movement has left me, as a Moderate, somewhat concerned.
There is nothing wrong with these individuals standing up for what they believe in. In fact, active political participation is necessary for our democracy to be successful. However, as a moderate observer with many friends and associates who identify with this movement, I can help but notice the elements of extremism that seem to be taking root in their platform.
For one, I have noticed that many supporters of this movement seem to be under the assumption that the majority of Americans agree with them. No doubt, the rapid growth of this movement in less than a year has demonstrated that many Americans do have a positive view of what the Tea Party movement stands for. One poll in December even showed that 41% of Americans had at least a “somewhat positive” view of the movement. Nevertheless, even with these optimistic numbers, that leaves a larger plurality of American citizens either have a negative view of what they stand for, or doesn't care.
Since the Tea Party movement is considered a conservative movement, many of the supporters are either Republicans or tend to vote for Republican candidates. However, they also tend to show a strong dislike for Moderate Republicans, or “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) as they are often labeled. Many seem to adopt a very limited view of what they believe a “true Republican” should be, and by so doing, marginalize a large number of Moderate Republicans and Centrist Independents who may lean Republican.
In addition to these trends, what concerns me most is experience from history. One of the cardinal laws of extremist movements is that they tend to lead to the outgrowth of an equal-and-opposite extreme movement on the other end of the political spectrum. Tea Party movement supporters, granted, are making a strong reaction to what they feel is a government take-over of liberal or leftist political agendas. While they may be doing what they feel is right or necessary, such strong reactions often only help to solidify the positions of those who sit on the other extreme. If Republicans were to become divided between Moderates and Tea Party movement supporters, they may find that they have participated in the creating of an even more polarized political spectrum.
I end with a question for all of you. Whether you consider yourself to be liberal, conservative, centrist, moderate, or otherwise, what advice would you give those who support the Tea Party movement that it might help to moderate our government rather than leading to more extremism?
The large number of people made my 30-minute subway ride home turn into a crowded two hours. Nevertheless, I was able to talk to a number of interesting, not to mention fired-up, American citizens.
For instance, I enjoyed a conversation with two grandmothers from Alabama. They were very friendly (not to mention clueless on how to use public transportation, but I happily assisted them). They were indeed enthusiastic after the protest, and encouraged me to look more into the movement. They also warned me not to trust any news source outside of Fox News.
While the Tea Party movement has grown rapidly since coming together in early 2009, there are many different groups and individuals affiliated with the movement, many who focus on different political issues. Nevertheless, the most common values expressed by those affiliated with this movement include fiscal responsibility, and constitutionally limited government.
This past week, a large convention of supporters of this conservative movement held their first “convention” in Nashville, Tennessee, headlined by a number of well-known conservative political figures. I did not watch the proceedings, though I read the text of a number of the speeches given. I have to admit, the rise of this movement has left me, as a Moderate, somewhat concerned.
There is nothing wrong with these individuals standing up for what they believe in. In fact, active political participation is necessary for our democracy to be successful. However, as a moderate observer with many friends and associates who identify with this movement, I can help but notice the elements of extremism that seem to be taking root in their platform.
For one, I have noticed that many supporters of this movement seem to be under the assumption that the majority of Americans agree with them. No doubt, the rapid growth of this movement in less than a year has demonstrated that many Americans do have a positive view of what the Tea Party movement stands for. One poll in December even showed that 41% of Americans had at least a “somewhat positive” view of the movement. Nevertheless, even with these optimistic numbers, that leaves a larger plurality of American citizens either have a negative view of what they stand for, or doesn't care.
Since the Tea Party movement is considered a conservative movement, many of the supporters are either Republicans or tend to vote for Republican candidates. However, they also tend to show a strong dislike for Moderate Republicans, or “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) as they are often labeled. Many seem to adopt a very limited view of what they believe a “true Republican” should be, and by so doing, marginalize a large number of Moderate Republicans and Centrist Independents who may lean Republican.
In addition to these trends, what concerns me most is experience from history. One of the cardinal laws of extremist movements is that they tend to lead to the outgrowth of an equal-and-opposite extreme movement on the other end of the political spectrum. Tea Party movement supporters, granted, are making a strong reaction to what they feel is a government take-over of liberal or leftist political agendas. While they may be doing what they feel is right or necessary, such strong reactions often only help to solidify the positions of those who sit on the other extreme. If Republicans were to become divided between Moderates and Tea Party movement supporters, they may find that they have participated in the creating of an even more polarized political spectrum.
I end with a question for all of you. Whether you consider yourself to be liberal, conservative, centrist, moderate, or otherwise, what advice would you give those who support the Tea Party movement that it might help to moderate our government rather than leading to more extremism?
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