Commentary - A response to anti-Tea Party column

By Pat Hanson, Alexandria, MN

The anti-Tea Party article by Dennis Dalman of December 30, 2011 compelled me to respond to an abbreviated list of his quotes.

“The Tea Party finally overplayed its hand.”

No, with the country in such an economic mess, caused by both Democrats and Republicans, we need our leaders to have a spine.

“Parlor tricks, brazen, egg on the House of Representatives’ face.”

Dalman relies on many superlatives to bash what? Do we elect our officials to pass legislation for only two month periods? This should embarrass every elected official.

“Extending the tax cut for the middle class and working poor.”

It's our money to begin with, of which the working middle class and working poor are paying for from their current payroll deductions. The so called tax “break” should be thought of and in reality is the current payroll tax rate which is taken from us, the working class. If our elected officials decide to repeal what was affectionately called a tax holiday, then it is is it not a tax hike? As a side note, If I recall correctly, the Democrats accused the Republicans of the same parlor trickery when this cut was enacted.

“Putting the kibosh to long-term unemployment benefits.”

Take a look at your own papers' help wanted ads. There are jobs to be had, but many long-term unemployed find their unemployment check pays more than the available jobs. Study after study shows when benefits end, jobs will be filled. Short-term unemployment is needed, but this has to have a time limit and strictly adhere to those limits.

“This Tea Party faction-radicals out of the mainstream have applied the brakes to everything Obama and the Dems have proposed.”

How about proposing a federal budget? In economic tough times, don’t you and I need to have a budget, and a tight one at that?

“They are worried that so many Americans are harried and too busy to pay attention to their legislative maneuvering.”

Americans are paying attention, more so than ever. The Tea Party has been instrumental in getting the facts out to the public. Both parties should be very nervous.

I find it ironic that Dalman agrees that banks, corporations, etc. should not be bailed out yet long-term unemployed should be extended i.e. “bailed out.”

“The Tea Party wants to destroy programs that help the working people and eventually destroy the government itself. The Tea Party’s ‘Raison d’ etre.’ ”

Downsize the government, yes. Destroy it? That rationale doesn’t deserve a response.

“Apparently the Tea Party wants anarchy, unrestrained dog-eat-dog capitalist anarchy.”

Anarchy via the Tea Party, really? Has Dalman followed the Occupy Movements and their behavior?

“What started out as a refreshing, grassroots movement, has quickly turned into a party of reactionary naysayers. Nothing is more harmful to a vigorous, functioning democracy.”

Please refresh your readers with one “refreshing” article – not paragraph – that you have published. Naysayers harm a democracy? Or perhaps another line of thinking, if our elected officials were not yes men/women, this democracy would be vigorous and functioning.

Tags: opinion, commentary