Is the Tea Party dead? Ā That’s the big question this week around the Lake of the Ozarks.
First, Eric ReeveĀ The Lake Liberal wrote this letter-to in Lake News Online. He concludes:
We may hear of the Tea Party here and there in the future, but I doubt it will ever figure prominently in American politics again.Ā I say we should take a moment and reflect on what it might have been as we say farewell to the once promising Tea Party movement.
The Camdenton Tea Party said “not so fast,” and called for a rally to show that the Tea Party is still around.
“Setting The Record Straight From 2008”Ā Camdenton Tea Party April 28th, 12:00 noon at the Camden County Court House. Ā Will you get to work to prove the lake liberal wrong?
Will you take the time to come hearĀ Barbara FromĀ Harlem?Ā She and her daughter, Bee BeeĀ are travelling 1100 Miles to tell you a different story.
How aboutĀ Patriot** Paul Curtman**, **Cynthia Davis**, and **EdĀ Martin**, and eighth grader,** Sophie Shore** ?
Who’s right?
If the purpose of the Tea Party movement was to hold ever larger rallies and protests, then The Lake Liberal is right. The big rally era is over, and it isn’t coming back. I’m not saying to cancel all the rallies. Far from it. Ā I hope we have a few big ones in St. Louis this year. Ā But the rallies no longer define the movement. We’ve grown beyond mere demonstration.
If the purpose of the Tea Party was to ignite a long overdue conversation about the proper and fitting role of government in our lives, about the purpose and meaning of a written Constitution, then we’ve already won. Ā The Supreme Court now ponders those two questions, naked and profound, for the first time in decades. And the case got to the Supreme Court because the Tea Party forced the Senate to rush through a flawed law.
But if the Tea Party’s final mission is to restore the proper balance between government and the people who created it, then our mission is far from over and its outcome far from certain.
Many people–the unknowing believers–demand all the rewards of a free society, but they don’t want to be bothered with the details. Ā Or they haven’t been invited to the party in the language and context that they understand.
Some want the growing economy and the next generation iPads and cars that park themselves. Ā But they’ve never learned that only a free society can dream and demand and design and develop such wonders; governments can’t.
**It’s our job to invite the Unknowing Believers. It’s up to us to ask them to the dance, inĀ their terms, in ways they will understand.Ā **If a rally can bring in just one Unknowing Believer, it’s a success. In fact, if the rally just inspires one knowing believer to grow the pie, we’ve done our job.
The conservative movement, branded Tea Party or otherwise, isn’t dead until we, the people who drive it, say it is. Ā Or until we fall silent. And I’m not about to resign or retreat, are you?
Go get ‘em, Camden County!
**Write it down:****“Setting The Record Straight From 2008”Ā Camdenton Tea Party **
Date: April 28th, 2012Time: 12:00 noonLocation: Camden County Court House