Single What? Female...

The Mad Hatters hit Searchlight...and beyond

I realized that the Tea Party people and I (and my friend Margaret Ann Brady who got this letter published in the Boston Globe) have one thing in common: we are tired of being told what "the American people" want by people who don't seem to really know who "the American people" are.

What I disagree with is the how the Tea Partyers - or rather in my mind, Mad Hatters - are claiming to be the voice of America when clearly, they do not represent me; let alone all the people who voted for our president and wanted a change in the White House and with healthcare (among other things).

I am one of The American People. Now the Tea Party would immediately look at me and see a leftist elitist. I grew up in Massachusetts wanting for nothing in an affluent town with loving, generous and liberal parents (both of whom came from working class backgrounds and immigrant parents). I did go to public schools (and they were and remain excellent public schools, mind you) and then to a private college (to which I commuted all four years). Since then, I have tended to work multiple jobs at a time, moved to New York City, hung out with many gay people and people of color, volunteered for theatre companies, the AIDSWalk, done peace marches, pro-choice rallies, listened to indie music and to top it off, I also happen to be mixed race. Yep, you can't get much more screaming liberal than me - according to them. But you know, what, I am still one of the American people and I still have a voice, just like they do.

I voted for Obama.
I wanted the public option in the healthcare plan.
I want everybody to be able to have health insurance and I want medical costs to go down.
I want women/girls who make the choice to get an abortion to be able to get coverage and to be able to get their abortion services conveniently, safely, and discreetly.
I don't think all Muslims are terrorists.
I am a Christian but don't think everybody else should be.
I don't believe that Christians who act on social justice and believe Christ preached social justice are Communists or Socialists. They're just nice people!
I think Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are positively hazardous to the nation and I believe that their ignorance and use of fear and bigotry do nothing but divide our nation farther at a time when that is the last thing our country needs after eight years of partisan divisiveness.

I am one of the American people. And I do not hate my country. And I am not a Communist or a Socialist nor do I care to be. So don't tell me, and the many of other folk who agree with me, that I am just because of the way I vote.

(Particularly if you are one of the Tea Party folk I have heard interviewed like this guy: "Why do you want Harry Reid out of office?" - "'Cause he's trying to push the Socialist Pelosi agenda on us" - "How so?" - "'Cause he's a traitor to his country" - "How so?" - "'Cause he's a Communist". If you cannot give me anything more than Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh's talking points as to why someone's a traitor to their country...don't even start with me; unless you are expecting me to sit down with you and give you a long list of reasons and facts as to why [democrat who supported the bill] is not a traitor and actually may be trying to help you)

KEEP PAYING ATTENTION!!!

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 8:19 AM