Revolt and revolution are American traditions. From the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam protests, revolt and revolution are the means by which the public voices its satisfaction – or dissatisfaction, as the case may be.
I’ve been thinking a lot about these American traditions thanks to a movement named after ‘old-school’ American anti-Brit protests. Revolt and revolution are incredibly relevant in light of the recentlyestablished Tea Party Movement and last night’s finale of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Both take advantage of the media to transmit their messages of change, be it to American diets or wallets, in an effort to galvanize social revolution.
The Tea Party Patriots (the “Official Home of the American Tea Party Movement”) have created much of a stir in Washington, and they’re getting a little annoying to be frank. We all understand that the economy is not in great shape, but the Tea Party’s protesting is beginning to sound like parrots that keep chirping the same tune over and over and over again. The self-proclaimed Patriots reflect this sole preoccupation in their mission statement:
The impetuses for the Tea Party movement are excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.
Meanwhile, the latest poll on Tea Party supporters finds that:
- 89 percent of supporters are white
- 73 percent consider themselves conservative
- 75 percent are over the age of 45
- and 63 percent watch the FOX News Channel for political news coverage.
(See the New York Times article).
What is significant, as CBS News political analyst John Dickerson noted on Sunday Morning last week, is that “both parties have to pay attention to the tea party activists because they are activated, they are willing to vote, they are willing to organize, and in an off-year election that is crucial.”
Jamie Oliver, however, struggles with this element of ‘activation’ in his program Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (aired primetime on ABC). Oliver publicizes his struggle as the underdog in a battle for the health of America’s youth - “the first generation of Americans,” he often repeats “who are expected to live a shorter life than their parents.”
The two intended revolutions share more in common than just their British connection; we will have to wait and see if either is successful – not to question whether either should be.
I find your comparisons between the two very funny. Two revolutions that are at two different ends of the spectrum, at least in my book.
ReplyDeleteI liked your statistics about the Tea Party because it just shows how the "big tent" aspect of that movement is not present. I am so tired of the Tea Party.
Jamie Oliver, on the other hand, I can't get enough of. I loved his show and love what he is trying to do. Americans do need to eat better, but people often don't like to change. American just needs a jolt and I think that is what Oliver is doing. I'm so excited to see if his experiment works.
I couldn't agree with you more that these Tea Party members are getting more than annoying. Their tactics as well as lack of tact have not only destroyed any chance of them being seen as a legimate organiztion, but are just getting old. As for their concerns, I know that thy rally behind 'the greatest tax increase in the history of the united states' but as far as I have read there is no basis for this claim. I look forward to the tea party becoming a thing of the past.
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