Steve
Mostly Harmless
If the tea party were about fiscal responsibility and government accountability, I'd join. That's not been my impression, though. I also don't like the implied association to the GOP.
The BBC completely fails to understand the Tea Party movement
- Thread starter Big Don
- Start date
Empty Hands
Senior Master
Oh, it's about fiscal responsibility and government accountability...for things the particular member does not like. For things they do like? Well...
By "you fellows" do you mean 2 or 3 specific people?
As an Englishman, am I allowed to take the Fifth? :lol:
What I meant was the regular and vocal contributors here and a couple of other quieter voices
.Member of what? Is he crashing the tea party too? You never know anymore.
Exactly... Keep the government out of my government program.Oh, it's about fiscal responsibility and government accountability...for things the particular member does not like. For things they do like? Well...
Sean
Steve
Mostly Harmless
What are you talking about?
I didn't automatically assume that the cherry picked picture is of a tea party member. Some people will.
CoryKS
Senior Master
Why, crushing! Are you suggesting that people who are antagonistic to the tea party might stage photos which reflect their convictions about the tea party members? Unpossible!
Empty Hands
Senior Master
I just couldn't help it.
More seriously, how is one to decide who is a "real" member of a movement that is supposed to have no leaders and no structure? Is everyone who shows up at an TP event with a sign you don't like an obvious liberal plant? It's pretty clear from interviews done with people that claim to be members and show up at rallies that some have a very selective view of proper government action. That doesn't mean everyone does.
BTW, the whole "keep government out of my medicare!" thing did not start with the Tea Party, it started with the Summer of Loud Townhall Meetings in 2009. President Obama even referenced a letter written to him that expressed the same sentiment. The whole country is not made out of liberal plants.
More seriously, how is one to decide who is a "real" member of a movement that is supposed to have no leaders and no structure? Is everyone who shows up at an TP event with a sign you don't like an obvious liberal plant? It's pretty clear from interviews done with people that claim to be members and show up at rallies that some have a very selective view of proper government action. That doesn't mean everyone does.
BTW, the whole "keep government out of my medicare!" thing did not start with the Tea Party, it started with the Summer of Loud Townhall Meetings in 2009. President Obama even referenced a letter written to him that expressed the same sentiment. The whole country is not made out of liberal plants.
You can lick but do not touch.I just couldn't help it.
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sean
The first question is a good one. The second question...seriously?
Actually, the quote that someone reportedly said was, "Keep your government hands off my Medicare."
So this person apparently liked medicare the way it was and didn't want some government beaurocrats and politicians making changes and somehow messing up what that person considered a good thing.
Yes, changing the quote to "keep government out of my medicare!" does make it funny and easier to use against the group that you think that person represents.
Yes, the whole country is made out of liberal plants.
Its still a milk cow he want for himself; damn the consequences.The first question is a good one. The second question...seriously?
Actually, the quote that someone reportedly said was, "Keep your government hands off my Medicare."
So this person apparently liked medicare the way it was and didn't want some government beaurocrats and politicians making changes and somehow messing up what that person considered a good thing.
Yes, changing the quote to "keep government out of my medicare!" does make it funny and easier to use against the group that you think that person represents.
Yes, the whole country is made out of liberal plants.
Sean
Empty Hands
Senior Master
It was a rhetorical question. A question with an obvious answer used to illustrate the argument.
So was my question.
Steve
Mostly Harmless
Not sure how the change in the quote makes any difference. The irony of a person, in an ongoing, heated debate about the potential of a viable government option and "socialist," government run health care (right or wrong), of a person suggesting that the government keep its hands off or our out of or away from a government run health care program is pretty funny.
Just one small part of why we ended up with a crap bill instead of any kind of meaningful reform.
Changing what was said makes a big difference. If it didn't, then it wouldn't have been altered. The misquote says that the government shouldn't be involved in the government program at all. Which, obviously, is a ridiculous position to take, and likely the reason the misquote was created. What was actually said suggests that the government shouldn't be making changes to the current system. Which, may also be considered a ridiculous position to take but for other reasons.
Steve
Mostly Harmless
That's a perfect example of circular logic. Changing it makes a big difference, because if it didn't, it wouldn't have been changed.Changing what was said makes a big difference. If it didn't, then it wouldn't have been altered. The misquote says that the government shouldn't be involved in the government program at all. Which, obviously, is a ridiculous position to take, and likely the reason the misquote was created. What was actually said suggests that the government shouldn't be making changes to the current system. Which, may also be considered a ridiculous position to take but for other reasons.
FWIW, I could see what you were getting at. My point is that, either way, it's still funny and a good example of irony for the kids.
