Tea Party - For Real?

Had a recent interesting conversation with my sister about the Tea Party and how long it will last.

We grew up with politics played out in our living room. Our parents, especially our father, were active Republicans and held many county level offices. They often hosted candidates. My sister remembers sitting next to a United States Senator at a community fund raiser pancake breakfast. We have witnessed over and over the bursts of enthusiasm that fade away leaving the same hardcore of party workers that stay year after year. Who is left from Ross Perot’s Reform Party?

We both agree that more citizen involvement is a good thing. She is of the opinion the Tea Party participants are not “stayers”. My guess is she is right but there will be a percentage who are “stayers” and they will have an impact for years to come. Many of the evangelicals who overwhelmed local school boards and had a huge impact on the Republican party in the Reagan era have dropped out. Some remain and still influence Republican politics.

If you want to have an impact, get involved. The mother of my children is a lifelong activist. We have an autistic child. She became an unpaid lobbyist that my earnings supported. The draft Washington State Education for All Act was written on our dining room table by her and four other pissed off mothers. She spent three years lobbing for the final successful passage. In the process, she came to know many people. A campaign manager for one candidate running for governor told me they though she influenced at least 4,000 votes. This from one couple who for certain were never rich and could have used the money her efforts cost for personal needs. While our marriage didn’t survive, what she accomplished is still working.

Perhaps there is a parallel between involvement in local politics and military service. It is a voluntary commitment. You are required to do things that may be boring at inconvenient times. You deal with people you may dislike. You are often criticized and even belittled. Someone needs to do it. Your personal reward comes from looking in the mirror and knowing you contributed.

Some folks have demanding travel schedules that restrict what they can do; been there and done that. There is always something you can do. Be an election judge as an example. A two day commitment every two years. Scoff? How else do we keep elections honest?