“Some of these people cheer leading the parties now where nowhere to be seen on fiscal issues for the past 8 years. Great they've arrived at the “Party” late but would they be singing the same tune if Nov worked out differently?”

Kind of sad that this is pretty much a rhetorical question due to the intense partisanship of many of the organizers. I would have to say that no, they wouldn't be singing the same tune if the POTUS had an R for his party affiliation.

Jazz, “It is not at all unreasonable to disagree with the current administration’s profligate spending and the path they’ve chosen to address the financial crisis.”

Jazz, I know you didn't always agree with the Bush admin so I'm not pointing at you. Like DaGoat I have to wonder were all these fiscal conservatives were during the past 8 years and would they be piping up now if McCain had won.

DG, “The Tea Partiers are inconsistent hypocrites”

Agreed DaGoat, I have no issues with citizens using their rights to assemble and have a peaceful protest. Some of these people cheer leading the parties now where nowhere to be seen on fiscal issues for the past 8 years. Great they've arrived at the “Party” late but would they be singing the same tune if Nov worked out differently?

First of all it's spelled “activities”.

Second, the honest thing for you to have done would have been to completely recuse yourself of this issue because you are obviously accepting money from Fox News, aren't you?

Why don't you disclose that fact you're on Rupert Murdock's payroll?

Your opinion on this issue could not be more disingenuous.

Are you getting money from Fox News or not?

There are about 5 posts now all with varying points so I'll try to tie them all in here. Some points people are making:

1. The Tea Parties are useless because the Iraq protests didn't work – I disagree, the reason we have a Democratic senate, congress and president is partially because of opposition to the Iraq war. It's very likely Obama will raise taxes at some point and not just on the uber-rich. These protests will give fiscal conservatives a base for further opposition when the time comes.

2. the Tea Parties are unfocused – I agree to an extent. The only thing you can really criticize Obama right now for is over-spending and his lack of attention to pork and earmarks. Still the anti-tax and smaller government messages may be useful down the road. Overall though I think there are too many messages trying to compete and a better focus would be helpful.

3. The Tea Partiers are inconsistent hypocrites – partially true since they did nothing when the GOP raised the deficit. Still I am happy they are pushing for fiscal responsibility even if it took them a while.

4. The Tea Partiers just don't like Obama – undoubtedly true of some, how much who knows.

5. The Tea Parties are being organized by crazy loons like Hannity and Beck – partially true, it seems like some parties are organized locally and others are not. There is not a consistent set of rules for all the protests. I personally would not be comfortable participating in anything associated with Beck and Hannity.

Bottom Line – I think peaceful assembly supporting fiscal responsibility is a good thing, warts and all. I wish the message was more focused, I wish Bush and the GOP hadn't got us in this mess, and I wish we could weed out the obnoxious talking heads, but you can't always get everything you wish for.