Sunday, November 20, 2011

“Tea Party” and “Occupy” Movements: How similar?

Have you heard claims that the Occupy movement is very much like the Tea Party?  Strange - it seems only the commentators on the left attempt to reach such conclusions.  What similarities does the left cite?
  • They are both large, politically motivated groups.  This is partially true.  They are both politically motivated.  But a deeper look at the Occupy movement reveals most participants are  clueless joy riders and riff raff participating in anarchist activities with no understanding of their purpose except to disrupt the lives of average citizens in the vicinity of their protests.
  • They both demonstrate.  True, but look at the characteristics of the way they each demonstrate.  There is a day and night contrast.
  • They are both concerned with corruption. Both are concerned about government and corporate corruption; the Occupy movement is more concerned about corporate existence.
  • They are both spontaneous.  Actually, most leftists portray the Tea Party movement as artificial; Astroturf, they call it.  The fact is, the Occupy movement has been planned for many months by a core group of Marxists.  The formation of the Tea Party was a true grass roots event.
That is the extent of similarities.
Now let’s take a look at the differences between the Occupy movement and the Tea Party movement:
Characteristics
Occupy Wall Street
The Tea Party
Who planned and formed it Marxists and radicals who hate America and desire revolution Conservatives who love America and want to reform it

Personal responsibility Little.  Relies on government for most needs

A core focus of the group.
Patriotism/love of country Dislikes America, the economic system and the political system; proposes revolution Proposes reform, not revolution.  Strongly exhibits patriotism.  How many American flags at Occupy events?  At Tea Party events?

Constitution Revolution is promoted which would replace the constitution Promotes returning to constitutional principles.

Spontaneous Organized, funded, and promoted by a core group of leftists and Marxists over the previous year Spontaneous alliances resulting from expansion of government into mandatory universal health care

Civil disobedience This is the core tactic of the movement; promotes anarchy Totally abstained from civil disobedience as a tactic; promotes order; speeches and education are primary tactics

Violence/arrests Significant violence and hundreds of arrests

No violence; no arrests
Littering/sanitation Demonstration sites became hovels of litter, poor sanitation and infectious disease

Demonstration sites left cleaner than found.
Capitalism/free enterprise Capitalism and free enterprise are the major targets of the movement Promotes capitalism and free enterprise as core values

Big vs. smaller government Want bigger government; more governement spending, welfare, and entitlements Want smaller government, less government spending and fewer entitlements

Marxism/income redistribution Promotes Marxist ideals and income redistribution Disdain Marxist principles; promotes principles of personal freedoms and responsibility

Respect for laws Little respect for law; incites violence through provocation, civil disobedience, and anarchy

Great respect for laws; no provocations; promotes ideal of “nation of laws.”
Knowledge of history/governance Great majority of demonstrators cannot express a coherent or rational reason for the protests or have a concept of historical forms of governance and their consequences. Most have a significant understanding of our government compared to competing forms.  This is the reason why they choose to promote a reformation of it - to more closely adhere to its founding principles.
So, there you have it.  Is the left correct?  Are these movements pretty much alike?  Oh yeah, as much as darkness and light.   This comparison is hardly “fair and balanced”, but it is the truth.  Give me the truth over “fair and balanced” any time.

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