With all of the momentum and influence that the Tea Party beast gained up to the election and the reaping of its major successes in the House, some began to already speculate as to whether this hot streak would continue afterwards. The inevitable battle within the Tea Party itself will reveal to us now, after the election, that it is a two-headed monster. This great divide within the movement will become even more visible once potential GOP candidates for the 2012 election are being discussed now in 2011. One side is the empowered Republicans, who clearly desire more conservatism in government as well as social issues that they aren?t seeing from more moderates or Democrats in power. And the other side is the Libertarians, who are traditionally much more conservative in regards to government size and almost totally liberal when on social issues. The key difference between the sides: the social and moral role of government?
Their common enemy was big government in terms of spending, social programs and taxes ? but what about Big Religion or Big Military Intervention Foreign Policy? Government intrusion into ambiguous moral stances that greatly divide our nation already such as homosexuality, abortion and stem cell research may be the trigger that breaks the Tea Party apart into its respective groups. Furthermore, traditional and yet marginalized Libertarians believe in a non-interventional foreign policy, often many of whom believe that we should bring ALL of our troops home immediately from everywhere in the world?
This break in ideological standing on issues of morality and foreign policy could force the hand of a Libertarian or traditional Republican to run for office as a third party candidate.
It is the most hardcore of the conservative Right that believes the only way to defeat the loony Left as represented by Obama, Reid and Pelosi is to fight them in all things ? social and fiscal. It is these same individuals within the ranks of the Tea Party which see the terrifying similarity on social issues between Libertarians and progressive liberals as a threat or opportunity for the movement to be overtaken or diminished in its power.
Why is it that social issues are always the undoing of any movement, campaign, or individual politician? Why can we not look at the big picture, especially in these times? Not that social issues such as civil rights, liberties, abortion, etc. must or should be trivialized; but these same issues can divide not only political parties, states, or grassroots movements but even teams, companies, and families. America?s diversity of races, ethnicity, economic status and personal needs make it utterly unfathomable to reconcile and gather unanimously under such topics.
If movements that have the mission of repelling or propelling large issues that affect everyone on a drastic level then go on to focus their efforts on greatly divisive social issues, than division within these movements is inevitable?
If the Tea Party wishes to continue on, it should remain only as it was founded ? a grassroots movement to halt reckless government growth and spending. If it begins to delve into the pits of sticky social issues than its primary initiative will be shattered by the obvious divide we all can already see will be a major fracture for the movement ? Libertarians versus social conservatives.
Their common enemy was big government in terms of spending, social programs and taxes ? but what about Big Religion or Big Military Intervention Foreign Policy? Government intrusion into ambiguous moral stances that greatly divide our nation already such as homosexuality, abortion and stem cell research may be the trigger that breaks the Tea Party apart into its respective groups. Furthermore, traditional and yet marginalized Libertarians believe in a non-interventional foreign policy, often many of whom believe that we should bring ALL of our troops home immediately from everywhere in the world?
This break in ideological standing on issues of morality and foreign policy could force the hand of a Libertarian or traditional Republican to run for office as a third party candidate.
It is the most hardcore of the conservative Right that believes the only way to defeat the loony Left as represented by Obama, Reid and Pelosi is to fight them in all things ? social and fiscal. It is these same individuals within the ranks of the Tea Party which see the terrifying similarity on social issues between Libertarians and progressive liberals as a threat or opportunity for the movement to be overtaken or diminished in its power.
Why is it that social issues are always the undoing of any movement, campaign, or individual politician? Why can we not look at the big picture, especially in these times? Not that social issues such as civil rights, liberties, abortion, etc. must or should be trivialized; but these same issues can divide not only political parties, states, or grassroots movements but even teams, companies, and families. America?s diversity of races, ethnicity, economic status and personal needs make it utterly unfathomable to reconcile and gather unanimously under such topics.
If movements that have the mission of repelling or propelling large issues that affect everyone on a drastic level then go on to focus their efforts on greatly divisive social issues, than division within these movements is inevitable?
If the Tea Party wishes to continue on, it should remain only as it was founded ? a grassroots movement to halt reckless government growth and spending. If it begins to delve into the pits of sticky social issues than its primary initiative will be shattered by the obvious divide we all can already see will be a major fracture for the movement ? Libertarians versus social conservatives.
