The Tea Party Movement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Tea Party Movement - Research Paper Example While there is no central leadership, per se, they have caucuses in both the House and Senate with varying agendas. Though they don’t offer a particular candidate for election, they endorse selected candidates, mostly Republican, though supposedly 87% are opposed to the current GOP leadership. Their overall agenda is not so much oriented toward any particular position; rather they attempt to block votes as oppositionists. They use both overt and covert methods to support their endeavors which usually involve opposition propaganda as opposed to a real stance on issues. Their claim to fame is their need to speak out about what’s being done across the nation, while not yet offering viable solutions; claiming to be the voice of the people. A survey in March, 2010 revealed that approximately 28% of Americans agree with the Tea Part Movement’s approach. (Rowen, 2011) The actual launch of the Tea Party Movement is credited by CNBC commentator, Rick Santelli, who made an announcement at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on February 19, 2009 in response to the bail out program for mortgages to prevent a collapse of the housing and banking industry. He drew an impassioned response by shouting through the crowd about the validity of the US government and taxpayers picking up the tab for saving the mortgages on ‘losers who can’t pay their mortgages.’ This was recorded and posted on YouTube with support rolling in almost instantly, setting off a national reaction. (Rowen, 2011) Earlier protests were aimed at taxation, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as at various health care reform bills. Keli Carender was credited with setting off some of the earlier protests, notably regarding the stimulus package, from Seattle. She is a blogger, non-profit local math instructor, and improvisational comedienne who enjoys bringing her audience to action. (Kaste, 2010) Although not actually supporting one party over another, most of the freshmen Republicans in the House of Representatives are closely aligned with the Tea Party Movement. So much so that prior to introducing a budget package to prevent the government shutdown in March, 2011, House Leader John Boehner and the Republican leadership met with the 87 freshman members to discuss the package in order to get their support. Another gain was from the Contract From America, a Tea Party manifesto requiring proposed legislation to be posted onl ine for three days prior to vote in order to demonstrate transparency to the constituent base. (Time Topics, 2011) The typical profile of Tea Party Movement supporters is described as usually white, male, married, over 45 years of age, and, wealthier and better educated than the general population. Nearly 18% is Republican, with almost all being very dissatisfied with what is occurring in Washington, D.C. They are especially focused on the Obama administration and describe themselves as being angry. Their protests are well aimed at drawing attention to the negative direction in which they feel the country is headed with out of control spending due to programs and policies that are focused more on alleviating poverty; particularly for minorities rather than a balanced approach to benefit all Americans. (Of Thee I Sing,