How do tea party participants feel about the Patriot Act?

[Duckus]

Most of the signs at the tea parties across the county are about abuse of government power. People are absolutely enraged about what they see as government intrusion into their lives. They are especially focused on protecting the constitution at all costs.

With the Patriot Act back in the news with current Judiciary Committee hearings, I was wondering how those involved in the tea parties felt about these hearings.

- The White House has come out in support of renewing the Patriot Act.

- Democrats in Congress have voiced strong reservations about it and find certain provision to be unnecessary and abusive.

- Republicans seem to be throwing their support behind it.


I have heard nothing from the various tea party organizations on the Patriot Act. Nothing from:
http://www.teapartyexpress.org/
http://www.freedomworks.org/

Why does government abuse and the constitution only matter with $$ but not other parts of government? Why does this not cause an out burst of any emotion?

For those on the board who have been involved with the tea party protests - what are your feelings on the Patriot Act and why do you think there has been so little public outrage for the past several years?

[SnyderShrugged]

I can tell you that the folks who held the first modern tea party (The Ron Paulians) hate it and would like it repealed entirely. I cant speak for the neo-cons that co-opted the movement though, I suspect they feel differently (though misguided)

[Duckus]

I can tell you that the folks who held the first modern tea party (The Ron Paulians) hate it and would like it repealed entirely. I cant speak for the neo-cons that co-opted the movement though, I suspect they feel differently (though misguided)

Why have Ron Paulians not organized their activists (which is a pretty big grassroots organization) into protesting it and protesting any members of Congress who support it?

I have no doubt that the don't support it. But I have not seen the emotional dedication from its members and large scale funding/operations that I have seen regarding Health Care.

[SnyderShrugged]

Why have Ron Paulians not organized their activists (which is a pretty big grassroots organization) into protesting it and protesting any members of Congress who support it?

I have no doubt that the don't support it. But I have not seen the emotional dedication from its members and large scale funding/operations that I have seen regarding Health Care.

They only have so many resources to devote and the health care plans, audit the fed, and pushing for Schiff and Rand Paul's senate seats are monopolizing much of them.

There have been anti-patriot act protests from the Campaign For Liberty in the recent past though.

[Duckus]

They only have so many resources to devote and the health care plans, audit the fed, and pushing for Schiff and Rand Paul's senate seats are monopolizing much of them.

There have been anti-patriot act protests from the Campaign For Liberty in the recent past though.

In your opinion – do most Ron Paul supporters see the Health Care Reform as more of a threat constitution than Patriot Act.

[SnyderShrugged]

In your opinion – do most Ron Paul supporters see the Health Care Reform as more of a threat constitution than Patriot Act.

I think it would depend on the content of the reform. In terms of the government option and other items that grant the feds more power than they are supposed to have, they probably think of it on par, but I can only speak for myself.

Another thing to think on is that the Patriot act has already passed while there is still time and opportunity to ensure another Federal power grab doesnt take place.

All this is just my personal opinion though, I definitely dont feel comfortable speaking for the entire movement.

[Midnight Judges]

Seems to me the Ron Paul crowd is happy to have the added support of the George Bush crowd, even if the GWB crowd now calling for limited Government is hypocritical.

[Duckus]

All this is just my personal opinion though, I definitely dont feel comfortable speaking for the entire movement.

Of course, I viewed all of this as your personal view as an active member in the movement, not as the entire movement.

[Duckus]

Seems to me the Ron Paul crowd is happy to have the added support of the George Bush crowd, even if the GWB crowd now calling for limited Government is hypocritical.

I am waiting for Glenn Beck to break down and cry because of the fear he has of the Patriot Act....for some reason I don't see that happening.

[SnyderShrugged]

Seems to me the Ron Paul crowd is happy to have the added support of the George Bush crowd, even if the GWB crowd now calling for limited Government is hypocritical.

Happy to have support for the right things, of course. But leary of neo-con co-opting. We werent treated very kindly by the GOP'ers that are the neo-cons.

Personally, I ttend to stay away from the freeper crowd and perspective. Cant stand them really.

[SnyderShrugged]

Of course, I viewed all of this as your personal view as an active member in the movement, not as the entire movement.

cool, I just wanted to be sure.

[SnyderShrugged]

I am waiting for Glenn Beck to break down and cry because of the fear he has of the Patriot Act....for some reason I don't see that happening.

Probably not, though I have some hope that he took the red pill and has started to wake up. I really dont like him much either, but thats also due to his crappy treatment of folks like me during the campaign season.

[Hubbs]

Why have Ron Paulians not organized their activists (which is a pretty big grassroots organization) into protesting it and protesting any members of Congress who support it?

I have no doubt that the don't support it. But I have not seen the emotional dedication from its members and large scale funding/operations that I have seen regarding Health Care.

Actually, I think there's a better reason than what SS has provided - when the Patriot Act passed, the Ron Paul folks weren't nearly as organized. Ron Paul's campaign brought folks who thought that sort of way together in a way that no other political event really had, and they've sustained that level of organization since.

[Duckus]

Actually, I think there's a better reason than what SS has provided - when the Patriot Act passed, the Ron Paul folks weren't nearly as organized. Ron Paul's campaign brought folks who thought that sort of way together in a way that no other political event really had, and they've sustained that level of organization since.

Right - but right now the Patriot Act is an issue again. It is being debated right now. They are organized now, why no noise?

[SnyderShrugged]

Right - but right now the Patriot Act is an issue again. It is being debated right now. They are organized now, why no noise?

Not sure if it matters, but if you google the c4l site under the term patriot act, there are 1,480 hits within the site as references and discussion.