We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will.
--Coffee Party mission statement
Coffee Party brews up rival for Tea Party
By Madeleine Morris
BBC News, Washington
14 March 2010
Tea Party demonstration in Glenside, Pennsylvania - 8 March 2010
Tea Party supporters want to cut government spending and influence
A grassroots political grouping that has emerged in recent months in opposition to the conservative Tea Party movement has been holding its first national day of meetings in the United States...
Saturday saw over 350 Coffee Party events held in cafes across the United States and abroad, bringing activists together in person for the first time for a national day of conversation and, of course, espressos and cappuccinos.
"If our children acted like our politicians are acting right now they would be grounded for a very long time," says Ryan Clayton, a Coffee Party spokesperson in Washington DC.
...Unlike their Tea Party counterparts, who want a smaller government with less influence, coffee partiers believe government can provide solutions, and they want politicians to work together in a more civilised way.
"We need to get together as citizens and show them [politicians] that we can sit down and talk about these issues; that we can solve problems and develop solutions; that we may not agree on everything, but that we can agree on a lot," says Mr Clayton.
Founder Annabel Park, who began the Coffee Party on her Facebook page out of anger at the Tea Party and its growing influence, has seen it rapidly gain traction on the internet.
Its Facebook page has picked up over 138,000 fans in less than two months.
4 comments:
Maura,
I'm not sure where you stand on the Coffee Party platform, which you've stated as,
"We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will. -Coffee Party mission statement."
Judging by the news items you choose to post, you too seem to lean towards big government solutions to problems. But I have read some of your various websites regarding the school district here in San Diego. I think your cause would be better served by promoting a smaller government. Your websites are filled with examples of corrupt government entities. You seem to personally exemplify the rugged individualism and personal responsibility persona held dear by conservatives.
In your March 9th posting, "POWAY: PUSD to send layoff notices, appeal 'God banner' decision", you comment, "Bad government almost always ends up costing taxpayers money".
I suggest 'big government' will always end up as 'bad government'. Believing that a big, powerful government is an answer to corruption is only wishful thinking. Your fight against the way the local school districts utilize Shinoff to terrorize parents is both noble and just. But I think you may be siding with a political philosophy that will only serve to make this kind of corruption commonplace; if it isn't already.
Jim
Dear Jim,
Thanks for your carefully-reasoned thoughts. My thinking is this: I see the same corruption in both small and large government entities. I think the answer is transparency in all levels of government, and watchfulness of citizens in all levels of government. And of course, citizens must be well informed in order to carry out oversight of government, so education is necessary to democracy.
What you say is very idealistic. I'm still waiting for the transparency promised by Obama. Nothing was put on CSPAN as promised. Citizens in government (government workers) will always have more loyalty to their job than to their ideals. After all, the ideal job is a steady paycheck. I think citizens already have plenty of information but most do not want or care about politics. Yet they have a vote. So the politicians bamboozle them with fancy TV and radio ads, half truths, and outright lies. This is now the legally accepted way to buy votes. Government classes are taught in high school and college, so education is already present.
So, I'll just leave it thus. Big government is the problem not the solution. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
PS: My sister, who's name I will not mention, could, and probably will some day, write a book about her experience dealing with corrupt government workers over the last 12 years. This year the US Supreme court will finally hear her Pro Se case outlining the offenses committed against her civil rights by several levels of state, county, and state governments. This effort has consumed her life for 12 years and has decidedly turned her into a promoter of smaller and less intrusive government.
If your sister doesn't mind, can you tell us more about her case?
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