(Community Matters) My response to two readers who felt unfairly classified as racists for supporting the Tea Party
Apologies if you felt painted by that broad brush swipe. I don’t think it’s all tea partiers (btw, I have spent time with some members, including a major Tx organizer) though I do think it is a majority – if not 2/3.
And, I realize there are millions who are libertarians too. I’m glad the libertarian & socially conservative philosophies lost the last election. I’m hopeful that those of us working for Pres. Obama will be able to prove up the value of his administration to enough independents so we’ll win again in 2012. Libertarians and many conservatives didn’t support social security, medicare or medicaid (some still don’t). Some don’t even support public education.
I feel fantastic about the progress being made so far. re: HCR – healthcare was already a train wreck on a course to bankrupt this nation. HCR is an, initially, imperfect first step at reform . . . and we’re vastly increasing coverage, outlawing discriminatory practices, and starting to reign in runaway costs.
Financial regulatory reform – same, we’re making real progress- as grossly imperfect as the first piece of legislation will be. There is no attempt to preserve too big to fail; there’s very specific language to wipe out shareholders and fire management of failed institutions.
As to progressive values of clothing, educating, feeding, providing healthcare and housing our poor – sorry, for now you guys lose. Those of us who want our nation to provide those services (chevy level, not cadillac style) won the election. We know the political pendulum swings both ways.
Nevertheless, I remain respectful of your right to disagree, also mindful of the importance of righting the deficit, and I regret that you (& others who aren’t) feel included in the broad generalization that most tea party activists are racists. My Abuela warned me, “you are who you are seen hanging out with, Mijo.”
Community Matters 