The tea party movement has drawn a lot of fire from political opponents, but here's a complaint that could almost be taken as a compliment -- they haven't done enough.
Newsroom Stew is complaining because the local tea party movement hasn't resulted in much change in local politics. That's a tough challenge. The voters in Midland have always been very apathetic about local taxes. A big bond proposal comes along, and we go into zombie mode and follow right along with it. There are many Midlanders sympathetic with the tea party movement, but in this region, the Odessa Tea Party took the ball and ran with it. To my knowledge, there is no Midland Tea Party.
However, here's something the tea party watchers may have missed it. It was a Midland City Council meeting last year, and several citizens -- some from Odessa and all sympathetic to the tea party principles -- stood up and spoke. You shoulda been there. They were probably responsible for the council vote not to raise taxes for the next fiscal year. Read all about it at City Council hearing on taxes, 8/4/09.
But otherwise, he's right about local apathy. But whose fault is that? Don't blame the tea party people. For those who call on others to step up and do something, you first. Go for it. Show us how it's done. We'll be right behind you. If you're unsuccessful, you didn't do enough.
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