(UNEDITED) Richard Richards August 28 Viewpoint on the Tea Party as a positive political force calls for comment. He states: "I support the Tea Party movement --they are the only group that can be a catalyst for reform of our political and economic system. He lists five issues, one of which involves the public debt -- currently an issue of major importance.
Mr. Richards said in essence that "the Tea Party was regarded a villain for putting pressure on members to hold the debt limit -- and we could have held the debt limit without defaulting on our debts." In other words, Mr. Richards thinks the debt limit should not have been raised, i.e. no problem. Accordingly, he disregards potential adverse, catastrophic effects of such immediate hard-line economic actions, as well as possible world-wide political and financial consequences.
Mr. Richards has lined up with Utah Tea Party legislators on the Federal debt issue. For instance, Senator Mike Lee was firm in his Tea Party position. He insisted, without compromise, that the debt limit not be raised and/or that the Constitution be amended for a balanced budget. By uniformly voting against raising the debt limit, Tea Party members essentially held control over the House of Representatives. They held fast on their position that legislation must go their way or no way at all -- no negotiation, no compromise. This is not leadership nor demonstration of looking out for the best interests of America.
Mr. Richards states that "today" (obviously intimating only the current Administration) the country is going in the wrong direction. Too often, Tea Party members and Associate Fox News reporters don't want to look at the history of economic and leadership blunders, leading to our current debt problems.
America entered two wars -- Afghanistan and Iraq (a war of choice) -- funded both wars by adding costs of the wars to the National debt -- imprudently decided to reduce taxes while the Nation was at war -- implemented a costly drug prescription program -- and created an immense, unrealistic, unsuccessful housing program.
Thus, America was headed for a down period economically, with sharply increasing unemployment. This is the difficult, challenging situation the current Administration inherited.
Nevertheless, the Tea Party grandstands with political fervor, demanding a lid on the National debt. They shout, "where are the jobs." Still, in all their game play, the Party and collaborator Fox News will not talk about how hard times got started.
Mr. Richards says Tea Party members are patriotic and sincere with a pro-American message.
Patriotism of the Tea Party is not questioned, but the Tea Party has been uncompromising, with rigid insistence that legislation will be set up the way they want it, or they will block it.
Tea Party members sign formal, notarized statements as to how they will vote, dictated by the Party. This is contrary to American legislative process.
If the Tea Party continues with a hard, uncompromising stand on future legislation, as it did with the debt limit legislation, the party will cause serious damage to the Spirit of America. Both the Spirit of America and the reputation of Congress were seriously down-graded during the debt-limit drama.
Mr. Richards says he wants America to listen to the Tea Party. Is Mr. Richards listening to the Tea party without question or evaluation of the Party's actions in deviating from normal, rational legislative process, with no compromise, no mid-course, no halfway solution, no adjustment, no settlement?
Is Mr. Richards comfortable with Tea Party strict member pledges or honor commitments to adhere to Party line legislative demands? Does he visualize the Tea Party taking over the Republican Party?
Hoyle L. Sorenson
Ogden
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