America's North Shore Journal

The first round of Tea Party protests have been held. Now, what happens?

There are some additional protests already scheduled. The organizers of the original national movement are also talking about a new round on April 15, which is a Wednesday.

I like an April 15 date. It has symbolism and is far enough away that organizing the event should be far less hectic for the people doing that work. Those folks, in 44 plus cities, are owed a big Thank You for their work on the original set of protests. The only drawback is that it is not on the weekend. Working people cannot take time off even when they agree wholeheartedly with the cause.

We need to replicate the original protests in the same cities, with a few needing better venues. More media coverage and more folks attending. Remember, this is not, repeat not, just a Republican issue. Most Democrats and independents are going to get shafted by the stimulus package and they should be urged to participate.

We also need additional cities for protests. That means someone or a group of someones will have to step up and organize each event.

I cannot stress any more strongly that media is important. For suggestions about what needs doing, see the advice provided here.

Let’s please keep this a grassroots movement. The established political powers from both parties have little incentive to mend their ways. If you make this about Republicans versus Democrats, all you do is trade one set of big spenders and pork producers for another. Few politicians on either side of the aisle have clean hands when it comes to earmarks, pork, and wasteful spending.

Mark Tapscott has some suggestions about the future of the Tea Party movement. He is correct that the leadership of the Republican Party must be brought into agreement with the membership of the Party. We cannot tolerate the old way of doing things in Washington and in our state capitals. Our money, our future and that of our children and grandchildren are at risk.