Common ground between Progressives and the Tea Party?
By louisehartmann
Republicans in the House are expected to quietly pass legislation today to extend some of the most controversial provisions of the PATRIOT Act through the end of the year. Those provisions include allowing investigators to look at an individual’s library records, to wiretap their phone, and to conduct surveillance on them. The White House - and Democratic and Republican leadership in Congress are trying to figure out a way to extend these provisions through the end of 2013 – but for those of us who are uncomfortable with the clear overreaches of power and destruction of civil liberties – we just may have a new ally to derail long-term extensions…the Tea Party.
Many new Republican Members of Congress have signaled they will be not support permanent extension of the PATRIOT Act – citing what they call intrusion from big government. And they’re right – the PATRIOT Act is an instrument of control created by Neo-Conservatives in the wake of September 11th. In the last two years – there’s been a lot of talk about government tyranny – mostly in regard to healthcare and taxes. But there’s been little talk about ACTUAL tyranny – the PATRIOT Act.
When it comes to taking on our military-industrial-security complex - it looks like common ground between progressives and the Tea Party may be found after all.
Comments
#2
The good to come of this is to unmask the Teabaggers as the Neocons and social ultraconservatives they really are. Little government intrusion is not a problem, as long folks get to keep their guns.
#3
I think it is good, maybe they won't march in lock-step with the republicans on every issue. I am afraid for my library records to be accessed. I have checked out tons of books written by authors on the left. I worry that the day may come when this can be used against me. I hope not!
#4
Hmmm... I'm not sure it would be a good idea to "camp at the same site" with the low information, incompetent Tea Gaggers. Better set guards, at least. In addition to the expected betrayal, they'd most likely steal, and use up, all our supplies.
It just doesn't seem like a very good idea. Tea Gag gullery is only exceeded by Tea Gag mendacity.
#5
One has to wonder how they got away with bringing about the Patriot Act in the first place. Borders wide open, Congress who has not declared war. Sending the national guard going over seas , "illegal ? The natioal guards purpose is to protect America here at home. Just think, If Patriot Act does go through , it will be a great way to get a message to the white house . Just pick up a phone and start talking about how you feel. Try speaking in Pig Latin, "That may go over good!. Ha! By the way Thom, Another great show.
#6
Nationalists/neo-cons/fascists/teapartiers--they are one and the same. There are very few true republicans left in the republican party! They preach hate and "we will save the world" garbage! If our founding fathers were of this ilk there wouldnt be a free country called the United States/America! they were closer to the socialist view point then people realize. Does anyone really understand history and the lessons the American people never learned? Remember Germany in the late 1920's and through out the 1930's?
The same thing is happening right now in our country!
#7
The Eugenics have lost control, mainly by having to engage so many henchmen, who have sired their own ambitious race. Eugenics now have to deal with upstarts who want to open up the books of the Federal Reserve, Farm Loan Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and get into all their private inside business. This conducted with an investigation of the Bureau of Lands and Mines could be dynamite!
#8
Rachel Maddow had a good walkthrough on this recent vote. She put forward a great differentiation of the small government conservative rhetoric vs. the actual big government conservative agenda.
#9
So much for "Get-Big-Government-Out-Of-Our-Lives" Tea Bagger chant! It's "Big Government" when "I" am forced to do something by the government, but not when “I” need Big Brother - Big Government" to keep an eye on "You"!
This is Farce at its extreme and the worst of hypocritical mendacity! The Abortion culture war for example – there is some legislation by the some conservatives where it would make it a law to report ALL pregnancies to the Government and where the government would track all such pregnancies! May never make it law, but the irony is that it is the “Get-Big-Government-Out-Of-Our-Lives” people who are advocating these totalitarian measures! The Tea Party and the Republicans do not want to get rid of Big-Government – they just want to re-engineer Big Government to reflect their view of the world! Big-Government will not go away, it will just change hands. The difference, however, is that the Democratic view favors all Americans and reflects Democratic values, while the Conservative favors only the Few and reflects autocratic and dictatorial control.
When are the American People going to wake up to the fact that when the Neo-Conservative/Fascist Corporate ‘Powers” are in complete power, the government will be twice the size it is now, and its main objective will be to keep an all invasive “Eye” on all Americans. When are the American people going to lift the veils of ignorance and see the Republicans, Neo-conservatives, and new fascist corporate powers for what they really are: Absolutist, Totalitarian, and Authoritarian! This is dangerous and it should be exposed for what it really is.
#10
i also can see a common ground with the ron paul teaparty fraction in reducing the military budget. Bruce Fein and Dounglas Mcgregor will be talking at CPAC about reducing the military budget
#11
A story concerning a certain Frog and a Scorpion comes to mind.
#12
For the sake of peace , beat no drums, utter no chants, carry no signs and silently assemble united in protest against the corruption of our nations Government.
#13
Cheating is debt granted by the truth. Pay back is hell and the interest is leathal. Thom take heart.
#14
The tea party has suffered from a Neo Con take over of the movement. Rounding up the maverics.
#15
One banner, criminal inequity. Grass roots Tea Party is no way in lock step with the Bankster gangster regardless of what color the Neo Con spinners try to paint it.
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