Will the Tea Party Movement Remain a Viable Political Force or Has it Become Another “Tempest” in the Proverbial “Tea Pot”?

COMMENTARY | Throughout our history, political movements have risen to give voice to the discontent felt by various groups of American citizens at different times. These movements multiply in times of economic and social upheaval and they tend to “shake up” the given political status quo at the time. Without personal memories of a time when American politics wasn’t dominated by either the Democratic or Republican Party, many mistakenly believe that these two parties will always remain in control.

The Tea Party has given voice to the rising tide of frustration felt by the American “middle class.” Squeezed by increasing costs of taxes and consumer goods, as well as stagnant growth in payroll and income, the American middle class feels that our government is not responsive to its needs but has become a state where individuals in the top and bottom brackets of income receive all of the governments attention and benefits, paid for out of their pockets. For example, the middle class feels that it has been paying for “corporate welfare” for the rich and actual “welfare” for the poor through programs which they do not support, which often conflict with their moral viewpoints, and which do not benefit them directly. While there are other fringe elements to the movement, this modern “taxation without representation” is one of the major complaints of the Tea Party’s followers. Candidates who campaigned on promises to vote to end these sorts of subsidies for programs unpopular to the middle class rode into office on this wave of discontent.

After the election, when change to the political process did not occur fast enough, the Tea Party’s popularity declined. While the Tea Party may not remain a decisive political force in the future by name, it would be a mistake for either Republicans or Democrats to dismiss their concerns. The discontent that the Tea Party gave voice to has not gone away. Discontent with government has grown to include new groups, such as the Occupy movement. While many “middle-class” Americans seem diametrically opposed to the Occupy movement, both movements give voice to large groups of Americans who believe that our government taxes them but does not represent them and doesn’t work for anyone. In the long term, if neither party changes this perception by the public, then changes will be made to the status quo. While they may no longer keep the name “Tea Party” or “Occupy” the individuals in these movements will change the political process. Our country was indeed created by those disenchanted with Tories and Whigs. While names and platforms may change, the results of ignoring the discontent of large groups of Americans have not.

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