An Amazing Tea Party

I see Rick Moran is wringing his hands that the Tea Party numbers are supposedly too small. As I recall, Moran was irritated back before November that some on the right were suggesting Barack Obama was a socialist. Moran engaged in a hair-splitting definition of socialism ad nauseum. How do we like hope and change now?

As far as the Tea Party turnout I would just say this. Conservatives don't live for politics, unlike the Left. When we do turn out we are not a rent-a-mob with pre-printed signs bused in by union bosses or Obama's precious ACORN. Most conservatives are involved with their family, their church or charity, and many can't leave their small businesses to hit the streets. Given that, this was an amazing display of an aroused citizenry in city after city across the country.

I've been walking precincts since I was 18--first for George McGovern, another peace and change candidate, then for Ronald Reagan after being shocked by the Carter misery index and the taxes taken out of my paycheck. I've gone to school board meetings and village board meetings, and I know that even one or two people speaking up represents many more who are afraid to--and it has an impact on the boards and on elections. I used to write letters to the editor, some of which were cut beyond recognition, others that were never published--now I blog.

Finally, it may not be the beginning of a "movement". We may not have many more of these protests--but the American people are starting to get the message that--as Reagan said, quoting Thomas Jefferson--A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have.

UPDATE: More on the tea parties from Riehl World View:

These early protests represent both the broadest and best of America. And they tell you America has something very much on her mind.

For another thing, the rage factor tends to be all but completely tamped down in what we're seeing. That isn't a bad thing; these are pragmatic purposeful people. They are the American people you rarely if ever see in the news, let alone making waves.

But they are making waves. Obviously they want to be heard. And one thing that has not yet changed in America is that when it's real population, not some fringe group, wants seriously enough to be heard, it is.