The Tea Party Movement's official website (www.theteaparty.net) says their mission is that they "must return the United States to the States and the people as spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution was written by our founders to limit the powers of the federal government, instead, giving the power to the people and the States." However, from Zernike's article I got a total different impression, and one that I found more valid. It seemed that members of the Tea Party Movement were just "angry" In Zernike, they are angry about health care, about government spending, and about the misrepresentation of the people. They put on protests and are constantly trying to get people to join the movement.
However, the people that join this "movement" are typically "white, disproportionately older than the general public, more likely to describe themselves as fairly or very well off." It is more likely for members to make a family income over $100,000. These members typically oppose gay marriage and abortion. I feel like the times are changing and this "movement" group is stuck in the past. They are a group of pessimist old people who are well off. Of course they are opposed Obama. I think their anger toward the recession they are irrationally taking out on Obama. People who would not join this group would be democratic, youthful, open minded people. People who are hopeful in this country would not find the need to join a group that attempts to find a flaw in every policy. In the CBS/ New Yorker polls a question asks "Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying the same?" 14 Tea Party Supporters said better while 33 All respondents said better. This shows how pessimistic the Tea Party Supporters are. I hate to say it, but my grandparents fit the profile of a Tea Party member. When they talk about Obama I cannot help but laugh. It seems irrational and ridiculous when a rich 78 year old says he "will be moving to Mexico is Obama is elected... and it's not because he is black." umm okay grandpa unnecessary to point out but whatever you're old.
People join this group to release their anger. They believe they are making a difference. They also join for confusion of what they are actually supporting. An example would be Jodine White, a sixty-two year old, who joined the tea party movement. She wanted a smaller government, however, she relies on social security and will eventually need Medicare. Therefore, she is contradicting what she is supporting. How and why would someone support something that is attempting to end something that they rely on. Because of the way and of who is telling them what they support is the reason why many of these members become mixed up. Whether these influences are coming from being a Republican, a Christian, or a Glenn Beck fan.
Glenn Beck's 9/12 project reminds me of Beale from Network. When Beale tells the TV audience to send telegrams to the white house about the middle east they get thousands by the hour. This relates to Glenn Beck's program of "The 9/12 Project" where people were encouraged to watch in viewing parties. He tells people the values they should follow to get people back to the unity we felt right after 9/11. Stephen Colbert mocks Glenn Beck n the Huffington Post by saying, "The 9/12 project is not for families directly affected by 9/11, just people building their careers on it."
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