The Tea Party

The Tea Party advocates an approach to government that is unduly simple-minded; just eliminate government programs and reduce taxes with little heed as to the fallout.  We've seen some of this here in Alabama; fortunately, they are only a part of the mechanism of government.

I'm for a responsible conservatism; one that addresses governmental concerns in a pragmatic manner and adapts itself to real world needs.  I'm not for an idiotic approach that goes willy-nilly into uncharted waters.    For better or worse (very often for better), state and national government has assumed or been handed a set of responsibilities.  These are not easily backed away from.  Sometimes we just need to suck it up and raise or continue taxes.

And the rhetoric: some of the Tea Party spokespersons are shrill and insulting.  We need some national and state comity.  After all, in the final analysis, we got each other.