So where did all the Tea Baggers go?
I was somewhat taken aback at the utter silence from the anti-tax group in response to the raises Nassau County legislators recently gave themselves. Wait…I thought Nassau voters had tossed out the fiscally irresponsible Democrats in favor of the fiscally conservative Republicans who know how to properly spend taxpayer dollars?
Yes folks, it was the GOP legislators that gave themselves (and one Democrat) raises of between 35% and 45% at a time when those same legislators have screamed about the need for fiscal constraint. We’ve spent a good deal of 2009 hearing folks under the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) banner screaming about how Democrats are wildly spending our money.
I’m guessing many of those same people were busy doing something else from 2001-2008 and have completely forgotten 1981-1992, but I digress. Guess they weren’t able to read lips then.
So where was the outrage from the Tea Baggers? Why no outrage?
Could it be that the TEA folks don’t want to criticize elected officials they supported or possibly like personally? Perhaps. But that’s a bit cowardly. If one truly believes in an issue, then they should support or criticize anyone who is for an issue or goes against a campaign platform or promise regardless of party or friendship.
Take a look at those marching earlier this year at TEA rallies. Notice any commonality? These folks tend to be middle-age white Americans claiming to be upset about the President’s spending on corporate bailouts and high taxes. While I agree the President’s support for financial assistance for major corporations he says “cannot fail” worries me some, the man has yet to put forth a federal budget and has not raised taxes. The Federal government is current operating under the final Bush budget until September 30. I know, sometimes facts can be a bitch.
Why didn’t these same people criticize President Bush for running up spending and deficits while cutting taxes during his eight years in the White House? What differences do they see between Bush and Obama? Well, I let you come up with your own answers.
—————————————-
Greg Sleter is the Editor and Publisher of the West Islip Tribune.
Side Note: The Nassau County GOP Legislators rescinded the raises.
* The opinions in this blog post are the sole opinions of the blogger and not of the owner of the site.
