The Quirks and Convictions of a Tea Party Republican
It's something of pride to show off and flaunt like that new tattoo you've just got that everyone wants - not literally, of course. It's a feeling of indomitable satisfaction that you believe in a capitalist economy when many others do not. It encourages you to be different, to stand out, to be what you believe is a good change. It's something for which to fight vehemently, never to give up. It's an idealism, and for someone who holds it tightly, nothing else matters. So it's fun. You might disagree with me, and I'm not asking you to be a Tea Party with me. I'm just sharing my self-experience. Never am I saying it is the correct ideal because everything is relative. It's about what you firmly believe in, whether that be liberalism or conservatism.
Connecting the Dots: The Party of Lincoln and the Progressives
How does it feel to be a member of the Party of Lincoln - the party that gave birth to the Progressive movement? Three Republican presidents identified as Progressives, and the party was founded by abolitionists. Is there a disconnect somewhere?
In all fairness, the Tea Party has pinpointed some very real governmental problems. But... how do you put out a fire? Not by pouring gasoline on it. It is fun to be with people who believe the Constitution should be followed, not mangled into a shape it's not. This strict adherence to a foundational document brings a sense of unity and clarity.
A Curious Perspective on US Democracy
I don't need to sip a cup of tea to understand the paradoxes of American political systems from afar. Here are three things that mystify the overseas observer:
How can a President be elected to office on just 25% of the eligible voters? This seems absurdly low, and yet it happens almost annually.
The Cabinet is made up of unelected members and not senior elected lawmakers. This structure baffles the observer. In a parliamentary democracy like those in the former British Commonwealth, if you vote against your caucus colleagues, you would be expelled from your party and not allowed to stand at the next elections. Here, it seems like a Congress/Senate full of members with their own individual voting intentions. Madness, to me.
How can lawmakers get away with not voting as a combined caucus? In a parliamentary democracy, dissent within the party can lead to expulsion and a loss of political standing. Here, individual voting intentions seem to reign supreme.
These quirks of the American political system might be fascinating from a distance, or they might be exasperating. But one thing is certain: they mark a significant departure from the more straightforward, collective decision-making models found in many other democracies.
Conclusion
The Tea Party Republican experience is a blend of pride, conviction, and curiosity. It's a movement that recognizes and challenges the status quo, often boldly and uncompromisingly. While the disconnect between the party's ideals and modern American politics might be stark, the sense of purpose and clarity can't be denied. As for the foreign observer, it's a reminder that every democracy has its complexities and quirks.