I gotta say, after reading this story about the Coffee Party, I’m kind of excited to see what happens with this movement–and I really hope it doesn’t flop.
What is the Coffee Party? From their Web site, Coffee Party USA:
…aims to reinvigorate the public sphere, drawing from diverse backgrounds and diverse perspectives, with the goal of expanding the influence of the People in America’s political arena. We do not require nor adhere to any preexisting ideology. We encourage deliberation guided by reason amongst the many viewpoints held by our members. We see our diversity as a strength, not a weakness, because we believe that faithful deliberation from multiple vantage points is the best way to achieve the common good. It is in the responsible and reasonable practice of deliberation that we hope to contribute to society.
Their Web site attracted more than 170,000 fans in its first week. Its Facebook page has already surpassed the numbers of the Tea Party, despite its much shorter existence so far. This isn’t a fringe group–these are rational people.
The “Coffee Party movement” is about embracing differing opinions, without screaming and going crazy. It’s about embracing diversity and empowering everyone. It’s about utilizing our government and elected officials to enable the people to achieve and succeed, but also curbing that influence before it gets out of hand. It’s about using our country’s wealth to rescue us from economic collapse–done!–and now pulling back and forming a hard and fast plan for reigning in the ballooning deficit. It’s about basic human rights for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference.
This is mainstream America. I firmly believe we are no longer a center-right country. The right just so happens to be the loudest–because they will scream, shout, and sometimes even lie to get their beliefs (whether right or wrong) across. This movement is, I hope, something much stronger and more civil than that. It’s about using the facts, theory, ideas and innovation of the American people to make a difference. It’s about looking at our government and deciding who’s doing their job right, and who’s holding us back. Who is looking ahead to the future, and who is stuck in the 19th century.
That said, I think it’s a stupid name. As my friend Dan pointed out, it leaves itself easily open to attack–”stale,” “bitter,” etc. Ah well, we’ll see what happens. I’m not gonna sign up just yet, but I’ll be watching it closely.
I’m kind of excited. The national kick-off for the Coffee Party is tomorrow.
March 12, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I’m getting to the point in my life where I want to see some empirical data, not fantasy, but real, hard data to help me decide on which policy is best. The problem with this is it puts us in a “no-decision” mode, which drives me even more crazy.
I won’t get political about this other than to say, I hope the Coffee Party folks refrain from the far-left rants of “Tea-bagging” (something I didn’t know existed and wish I could wash it from my brain) and other name-calling which amounts to nothing but creating greater chasms between political and economic philosophies. This all leads to the question: “To what end, to what end?”
March 12, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Agreed, agreed, agreed!
The Coffee Party movement *seems* to be much calmer than the Tea Party movement, which is one reason I’m optimistic about it. Instead of screaming, making offensive signs and rallying on misunderstands (i.e. “I don’t want government hands on my medicare”–real sign), the Coffee Party is sitting down to figure out what we need to do about it. Instead of holding rallies around the country tomorrow, they’re holding meetings.
Now I like to think of myself as a man of action–and I’m a firm believer that there *can* be such a thing as too much talk and not enough action, especially within the Democratic party. But here’s hoping maybe something good will come out of this.