Tea parties? Try patience
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Opinion
When the stock market dropped by more than 700 points last September, we were unnerved. When Congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package in February, we were unnerved. When the Obama administration announced its $3.5 trillion budget, we were really unnerved.
We're unnerved again now.
Wednesday, thousands of demonstrators attended more than 750 Tax Day "tea parties" across the country to protest precisely those governmental decisions we've found so unnerving - and we find the protests equally unsettling. It's easy to be a little antsy when shades of secession can be detected in a Texas governor's speech.
We wish everybody would hear us when we say: please calm down!
That public disappointment - even outrage - at government spending would seek expression in the midst of an economic recession is completely understandable. And, because we ardently support and defend the right to free speech, we don't find the tea party protests mockable. We view them, instead, as an important exercise of the sacred privilege to speak freely.
But we still wish governmental officials and demonstrators alike would recognize that, for this economic crisis, there are no quick fixes. A hastily passed stimulus bill won't do it. But neither will fiery words or empty threats.
What will redeem our economy are those same traits that redeem individual failure: hard work, patience and perseverance.
What we ask of those who scoff at the protesters is to reexamine your own expectations of government. Maybe it's not the government's responsibility to fix every problem. Maybe we're not entitled to all ease and no effort. Maybe this crisis will cause us to have to pinch - personally.
But what we ask of those who protest the decisions of elected officials is to recognize that taxes are essential to the function of government. Maybe there are some services only the government can provide. Maybe those services do require financial support. Maybe the current deficit won't pay for itself.
In the meantime, it might be better for the economy if everyone - politicians and public demonstrators alike - would keep their heads down, work hard and, well, wait. Like we said, there are no quick fixes.
We're unnerved again now.
Wednesday, thousands of demonstrators attended more than 750 Tax Day "tea parties" across the country to protest precisely those governmental decisions we've found so unnerving - and we find the protests equally unsettling. It's easy to be a little antsy when shades of secession can be detected in a Texas governor's speech.
We wish everybody would hear us when we say: please calm down!
That public disappointment - even outrage - at government spending would seek expression in the midst of an economic recession is completely understandable. And, because we ardently support and defend the right to free speech, we don't find the tea party protests mockable. We view them, instead, as an important exercise of the sacred privilege to speak freely.
But we still wish governmental officials and demonstrators alike would recognize that, for this economic crisis, there are no quick fixes. A hastily passed stimulus bill won't do it. But neither will fiery words or empty threats.
What will redeem our economy are those same traits that redeem individual failure: hard work, patience and perseverance.
What we ask of those who scoff at the protesters is to reexamine your own expectations of government. Maybe it's not the government's responsibility to fix every problem. Maybe we're not entitled to all ease and no effort. Maybe this crisis will cause us to have to pinch - personally.
But what we ask of those who protest the decisions of elected officials is to recognize that taxes are essential to the function of government. Maybe there are some services only the government can provide. Maybe those services do require financial support. Maybe the current deficit won't pay for itself.
In the meantime, it might be better for the economy if everyone - politicians and public demonstrators alike - would keep their heads down, work hard and, well, wait. Like we said, there are no quick fixes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Jeremy
posted 4/16/09 @ 10:24 PM CST
It is simply not a maybe statement. The government is required by the constitution to keep itself out of unenumerated problems. Ease and no effort is unsustainable. (Continued…)
A.L.
posted 4/20/09 @ 8:52 AM CST
First, I agree completely with the above poster (Jeremy).
Second, I hope that the Traveler editorial board is not asking the people to shut up and butt out by asking that they "keep their heads down. (Continued…)
the_bob
naffel
posted 4/22/09 @ 5:08 PM CST
You know what I'd enjoy watching? I want to see some enterprising kid (< 18 years of age) file a class action lawsuit for taxation without representation. (Continued…)
Haley
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:50 PM CST
"When more of the people's sustanance is exacted through the form of taxation than is necessary to meet the just obligation of government, such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundamental principles of a free government. (Continued…)
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