re: #814 doppelganglander

Asking about the end goal shows your bias (and I don’t mean that in a negative way) towards organization, planning, and centralized authority in a political movement. The Tea Party thing sprung up pretty much out of nowhere, without centralized leadership, and has come to mean different things to different people. I don’t think there is an end goal yet, but I do think it’s a positive step to raising awareness, giving a voice to average people who are unhappy with both parties, and laying the groundwork for future action. The end goal will be determined by who gains control of the movement.

I think it’s fantastic that you’re active in your local party and that you feel you can be effective there. But a lot of people are disenchanted with BOTH parties and do not want to affiliate with either one. The energy unleashed by the tea parties can go several ways. It might put the fear of God into the Republicans (and indeed, in a lot of places they are trying to co-opt the movement and get in front of it). It might give rise to a third party. It might cause the Democrats to back down and act like adults (a long shot, admittedly). The point is, no one knows. The end goal is a work in progress.

Isn’t that a little like putting the cart before the horse?