Week 6 - The New Republic: "Tea Party"

http://www.teapartyexpress.org/

'Propelled by millions of Tea Party supporters across the country, the Tea Party Express has become the most aggressive and influential national Tea Party group in the political arena. We are committed to identifying and supporting conservative candidates and causes that will champion tea party values and return our country to the Constitutional principles that have made America the “shining city on a hill.”'

This Tea Party website is a good example of the Tea Party movement, and the effects that it has within society today. After looking around the website, I found that it has some really interesting features. For example, the prominent aspect to their website is their believes about the government and what they stand for; No more bailouts, Reduce the size and intrusiveness of government, Stop raising our taxes, Repeal Obamacare, Cease out-of-control spending and Bring back American prosperity. The website also makes reference to the infamous quote of America being the 'Shining city on a hill'. According to this specific Tea Party movement, standing against Obama's governmental principles will eventually return America to its former glory of the 'shining city'. In addition to this, Tea Party Express also has a blog http://blogteapartyexpress.blogspot.com/ where the co-chairman of the 'The Campaign to Defeat Barack Obama', Lloyd Marcus, contributes and posts some lengthy debates with the critiques of Barack Obama. In addition to this, the blog also draws heavily upon race, and in particular that of Obama. After looking through some of the monthly posts, I found that Obama's full name Barack 'Hussein' Obama is used repeatedly, to stress the fact that he has foreign roots. I felt that the blog makes an issue out of this, which is unnecessary. The colour of his skin should make no difference to how well he runs the country. This could be seen as a weakness on behalf of the Tea Party Express, as because of this it, in my opinion, detracts from the points that are actually being made.

However, it is worth noting the website does have a contribution page, whereby donations and payments are asked for, to help defeat tax-and-spend liberals within Congress, and to support the Tea Party Express tour, which in turn serves to continue the legacy of the Tea Party. Supporters of the Tea Party Express, and the movement as a whole, can also be regularly kept up to date by joining their mailing lists and taking part in their regular tours around America.