I’m going to have to disagree with Pence, and probably some of you readers, on this one
The Tea Party movement and its grassroots political activists are defined by loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, limited government and individual liberty — not social issues such as abortion. That’s what one analyst argued at a gathering of conservatives in Washington on Wednesday.
Journalist and author Jonah Goldberg said the movement should avoid cultural issues such as abortion if it is to have continued success.
A conservative congressman, however, disagreed.
Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), the chairman of the House Republican Conference, said people are also drawn to the Tea Party movement because it embraces traditional American morality, including the sanctity of life and the traditional definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
“One last thought to leave you with,†Pence said in his concluding remarks: “This is something I’ve said around the country at many Tea Party gatherings and grassroots gatherings. And it needs to be said, and that is, that what’s animating this authentic American movement is that our present crisis is not just economic and fiscal. It’s moral in nature.
While Pence has done a wonderful job in taking on Obama and the Donkeys radical hard left agenda, I do believe he is missing the point about the TEA Party, and we see that many in elected positions, both on the Left and Right, believe that morality should be legislated. One of the points about American Conservatism, also known as Classical Liberalism, is that the government should stay out of the Moral Core as much as possible. Yet, we see them involved way too much.
Granted, the TEA Party movement is grassroots, and by the People, for the People. Personally, I believe as Jonah Goldberg does, and keep it focused on core Classic Liberalism ideas. Reduced and limited government, less intrusive government, and limited taxation, the last one being the main point of the TEA Party. Taxed Enough Already. The more government spends and becomes involved, the more money they will want from We The People. That is not to say there should be no taxation. That is not what most Conservatives believe, nor what the TEA Party stands for. Just keep the taxes low and the federal budget/spending under control and limited.
The TEA Party attracts not just those on the Right, but, those in the middle and left, as well. Why? Many liberals do believe in bigger government, a more “helping” government. Their “Moral” values ask for a more involved and intrusive government (which actually sorta makes them Classical Conservatives.) What is socially relevant to one TEA Partier may mean nothing to another, and end up driving supporters away. What matters to you may not matter to me. Or not as much to me, which would make me lose interest in talking about that social issue all the time. And could drive away who would otherwise support the TEA Party. Keep it simple, keep it relevant, keep it focused on it’s main points, namely, the primacy of the Constitution, limited government, smaller government, less intrusive government, and limited taxation.
Actually, I agree with you 100%. The Tea Parties should continue to stay focused on limited federal government and reigned in spending. What I see here is the social conservatives in the GOP hoping to hijack the movement and bring it back into the fold. If that happens then the Tea Parties will lose focus, their influence, and eventually, relevancy…
Exactly!
[…] Mike Pence States TEA Party Should Also Focus On Morality … […]
I am going the other way on this one. I agree with Pence, with some stipulations.
First, some more of his quotes from his remarks need to be cited here: “One last thought to leave you with,†Pence said in his concluding remarks: “This is something I’ve said around the country at many Tea Party gatherings and grassroots gatherings. And it needs to be said, and that is, that what’s animating this authentic American movement is that our present crisis is not just economic and fiscal. It’s moral in nature.
“At the root of these times, I believe there are millions of Americans who see, in Washington, D.C., and on Wall Street, people in positions of authority walking away from the timeless principles of honesty, integrity, an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay,†Pence said.
In that sense, Pence is correct. The actions of people – the lack of integrity, the “me first” mentality, the “people owe me something” thought process, and honesty from government officials, business and citizens – are all morally based.
The Tea Party is a “return to roots” party. It is the ideas of our forefathers and founding fathers, all of whom believed in the moral virtues of honesty, integrity and a honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work. While some of the founding fathers strayed from those moral principles at times, it does not detract from the foundation of their beliefs. It does not detract from the goal of returning to those roots.
Where Pence may have strayed slightly is this statement: “I’ve talked to people in this movement that our leaders need to recognize that public policy alone will not cure what ails this country,†Pence said. “It’s going to take public virtue and a return to the institutions that nourish the character of the nation and reaffirm our commitment to the sanctity of life, the sanctity of traditional marriage, and to the importance of religion in every day life is also quietly central to this movement around the country.â€
There are those in the Tea Party who are pro-life and there are those who are pro-abortion. There are those who hold to the traditional definition of marriage, and those who want to change it.
That’s fine by me. I have never met another person, much less a candidate that agrees with me on everything. I have never known an individual who agrees in everything with another individual. Somewhere along the line we decide what things matter the most to us.
In politics, that often means casting a vote for a candidate that holds most of your thoughts and values, but not all. It is a compromise that we all make every time we pull a lever.
If you don’t think that there is a moral component to the Tea Party, look at how many posts this blog (rightfully) has on the lies, deception, and outright corruption of the Obama administration.
We need to make the American virtues of honesty and integrity a keystone of the Tea Party or else we are no different than the Democrats or Republicans.
Hello. I found your blog yesterday and I must say I am impressed. I was struck by this article in particular.
My politics have traditionally been liberal, but Obama’s primary campaign in 2008 really made me doubt my allegiance to the Dem party. I was one of those “bitter” ladies from 2008 who joined PUMA.
Since then my political views have evolved and I have become an independent who is open to voting for anyone with common sense, especially if they are not an incumbent.
Anywho, I am heartened to see this trend of distancing from social issues develop in the Rep party. It needs to happen on both sides, and I work at my blog to perpetuate that becoming a reality.
I’ve bookmarked your site and will return often.
That’s very kind of you to say, Anna Belle, thank you much. I haven’t had a chance to check your site out yet, super busy at work, but, I plan to, and look forward to more of your comments.
And, yes, I definitely agree, both parties need to move away from the social issues and focus on governance.
My apologies; I meant I was heartened to see this development in the Tea Party, or conservative side of the aisle. Thanks.
[…] Mike Pence States TEA Party Should Also Focus On Morality … […]
Anna Belle,
What I am heartened to see is that both “liberals” and “conservatives”, both sides of the “aisle” are realizing what our Founders, and particularly men like Jefferson, realized, that classical liberalism, limited government, and natural rights lead to a “more perfect union”.
Teach has a great blog. You’ve chose well in bookmarking him..