The AA Party

Most of us believe that we live in a country governed by a 2 party system, the republican and democrat parties. Sure, there are other parties - the independent, green party and libertarian to name a few. But for years we have been dominated by the AA party. They are the ones who have allowed Congress to subvert the intent of our founding fathers, to spend irresponsibly, to ignore their constituents, to earmark, and compete against each other for the most pork. All the while, they live a life of perks the common citizen cannot, and pass laws that do not apply to themselves. All the while the AA party tolerated this behavior.

The AA party is not a party that is declared when registering to vote. It's members are actually made up of members of all other parties, as well as people who do not associate themselves to any party. To join the AA party you need to do nothing. Together they are more powerful that all political parties combined. They have watched as presidents and congresses have amassed a debt for our children to pay. They have stood by as government has expanded into every nook and cranny of our lives. They have supported politicians based on feelings and not facts. They have elected people to power who are ill-prepared to lead. They have allowed our capitalist economic system be diluted by socialism because it sounds good. They are the party of Apathetic Americans and they have ruled for decades.

But now a new party is rising. This party is also made up of member of other parties, and those who do not claim an affiliation. This party, however, is not based on apathy and ignorance. Instead, it has gained power by leveraging protest and action. In spite of mounds of ridicule coming from the mainstream press and established politicians, the party has grown, and in small ways has changed the political landscape. This party is the Teabag party. Their protests of 2009 identified politicians who were not acting in the best interest of Americans. It caused them to cower behind their office, lie, cancel town hall meetings, send surrogates to represent them, weasel-word their positions, and instilled fear in their hearts.

The Tea Party movement is the current manifestation of America's "Throw the Bums out" attitude. The powers in both major parties have noticed and they are concerned. You can see their fear in how the media reports Tea party events, and how they have tried to bait Tea party protesters into violence or racism. So far, it hasn't worked. In spite of being called racist, hate mongers, and gun toting, knuckle dragging Christian mouth breathers, the Tea Party movement is growing. Next week on tax day (4/15), tea parties will be held across the country. It will be another opportunity to gauge the strength and resilience of the movement. The press coverage will be brutal. If there is poor behavior exhibited by a single participant, it will be magnified and used to paint the entire movement.

But if they are well attended and peaceful, they will be the mechanism that continues to energize conservative Americans. We need to maintain the momentum until November. Let the media know the Tea Party movement is the true party of NO (vember).