By VICTORIA BOATMAN
As a result of a declining economy and the election of Barack Obama, a series of political protests organized by Tea Party activists are popping up across the nation.
This group’s goal is aimed at opposing big government, which Tea Party members feel has brought about the current economic condition.
“This administration must realize that in signing large stimulus bills and bailouts, they are essentially robbing the American people of their hard-earned money,” senior Logan Opsahl said.
Members of the Tea Party are extreme conservatives who view global warming as a hoax and call for the immediate elimination of social security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Federal Reserve despite many having recently lost jobs.
The undercurrent of the Tea Party comes from followers who take advice from Glenn Beck, a news talk show host on Fox News and a published author. Beck’s books reflect the ideas of the Tea Party, which is that big government is ruining America and its values.
“I don’t think they have a lot of substance; I think it’s more noise,” sophomore Patrick Darin said about the Tea Party and its members.
Other groups and causes such as gun rights activists, libertarians, militia organizers, Friends for Liberty and Freedom Force gravitate to the same patriot ideology, which is a belief that the government and economics are controlled by a networks of elites.
“I think the politicians need to realize they are there to serve the people. Leadership has forgotten who they represent—on both sides,” American government and economics teacher Dr. Jim Corbin said.
Many Americans who are a part of the Tea Party movement have never been politically active.
“I think [the Tea Party] will motivate people who normally sit on the side lines and watch [politics],” Corbin said.
Tea Party members not only blame the country’s issues on democrats but republicans as well. Tea Party ideology is that both parties are leading America towards “socialistic tyranny”.
“Both parties need to stop blaming one another and work together to fix this recession we are in,” senior Brittani Acuff said.
Tea Party members hope a strong leader will step up and head the movement, with mentions of Sarah Palin circulating.
“I think the republicans will absorb some of the Tea Party ideas and make it part of their party’s platform,” junior Alexander Hall said.
Although Tea Party activists have been labeled as “wing nuts”, racists and radicals, the party’s stated goal is to bring about a better America without sacrificing American’s personal freedoms.
Regardless of one’s political beliefs, the Tea Party is raising awareness of current issues affecting the nation.