Published by FRSC
One of my core beliefs is having core beliefs. I admire that people will show some fervor about their principles. “Grassroots activities” are events I like to watch with a bit of longing to jump in and swim in the trenches. With that said, I am not really a “joiner” and don’t like to get on someone else’s band wagon. It feels trendy. The word “trendy” is not a word I associate with genuineness.
With that said, grassroots movements can make a difference. Historically some movements did not have the same goals that I had and the power of the movement didn’t necessarily bring about positive results. For example, the “progressive movement” of pre-World War II was a disaster and we are still feeling the pain of it. The Civil Rights Movement lasted for decades and resulted in Title 7.
A powerfully constructive movement was the Moral Majority of the late 1970s. This group was a mix of ideals in both the religious and political arena. It resulted in the ousting of Jimmy Carter and the wildly popular Reagan Administration.
In many ways the Tea Party (movement) reminds me of the Moral Majority. Although there are huge differences – one of which was the MM had a visible leader in Jerry Falwell, Another difference was the blatant fund-raising done by the MM as a PAC. Tea Partiers are not as unified. Segmented organizations refer to themselves as Tea Partiers, each expousing various agendas. Some leaders claim to be a strong voice for the Tea Party (movement) but my view is that it is only within each segment do you have objectives and goals. For instance, Freedomworks wants something different than Young Americans for Liberty. Candidly I get confused on what a “tea-partier” believes. Is it all about no-government (a Libertarian Ideologue) or is it about making the government do their job in things such as stopping illegal immigration (Constitutional Conservatism).
Please weigh in on these questions –
1. Why did the Moral Majority have enough power to be politically influential for more than a decade?
2. Are those who are involved in the Tea Party movement the same people who supported the MM?
3. Do Tea Partiers expouse strong religious inclinations?
4. And last but not least, if the answer to the last question is yes – are those religious inclinations the same religious beliefs that I hold?
I don’t think grassroots movements have the same spiritual convictions that I do. And, my spiritual convictions are the basis for every political passion I hold dear. I suppose that is why I am not a joiner.
Hmm, well:
ReplyDelete1. Since I was educated by a public school and not alive during the Moral Majority, this is the first I have heard of it. It would be an interesting research paper. :) But from what you describe, I think they were more influential because they had a very clear and decisive statement. The Tea Party is really just one thing, and then it could be anything else. The one thing they are is, "LESS GOVERNMENT".
2. I think that it is very likely that the Tea Party movement holds some of the same people as the MM. But maybe not for the same reasons.
3. I think, like you said for yourself, that the Tea Partiers are mostly religious people who's political beliefs are highly influence by what they believe about Deity. BUT the name of the Tea Party does not hold that religious conviction, in my opinion. That is not the statement they are trying to make with their actions. All it is about is LESS GOVERNMENT.
4. N/A
I will admit. I have been to a "tea party", and I'm not afraid to say it. I hold those same political beliefs dear.
Starfish