I have been receiving the occasional email from sort of political organization since college. It must have been that in my first or second year at Calvin that I signed up for one of the student senate groups at that time which was also affiliated with the on-campus republican movement. In turn, the on-campus republican movement likely passed its emailing list onto a local (to Grand Rapids) republican campaign group. In turn, it is my belief that said local republican campaign group eventually (and only recently) evolved into a Tea Party campaign group.
My theory is supported by the fact that when the Tea Party emails started their gradual sneak attacks in my email inbox, the republican campaign emails ceased. Either that, or the Tea Party emails are also hacker-ninja programs effectively assassinating all competing political messages.
Either way, the latest email was an extensive invitation to attend a Tea Party campaigning rally in either California or Florida for only $20 admission. Of course, if I wanted to actually be able to see Sarah Palin's great-white-north face, I also purchase a ticket to stand and clap in the reserved section for only $90. And if I wanted to smell Palin's perfume of Justice-and-Liberty-for-all-middle-class-white-people, I could attend a special reception with Palin at either location for only a $950 donation. The seats are all level, but you can still see her hair.
Now I know that my response went absolutely nowhere and will make no difference whatsoever, but I replied to this invitation all the same. I have an opinion, and I wanted to put it out there. We need to examine ourselves as a nation, and see the good and the bad in each party. Furthermore, I know that I am not the only person who greatly opposes the Tea Party's rise to power. But especially here, we must also see the good in the situation. So, in case my message falls upon blind eyes, I have decided to also post it here on my blog:
"Mr. Terpeluk, or Whomever This May Concern,
If you would like to cover my airfare and boarding fees in order to witness such a spectacle as so many idiots in one room, I will be more than obliged to attend one of these two events, or both. I promise to be civil.
It is good that another party is emerging in our now-standing, bi-partisan oligarchy. Granted, the ignorance, greed, and mendacity perpetuated by the Democrats and Republicans is only continued by the Tea Party, if not more covertly and intensified than the first two. My hope is that the example of the Tea Party's emergence as an unified, independent party, capable of competing for leadership in American politics, will ultimately set the stage for a far more capable independent party—a party that will truly seek to serve, not only the needs of the American people, but the greater, global community.
Therefore, I have unsubscribe-d from your regular emails; I do not know how they first found me, but I can stand them no longer. I do not support the Tea Party, nor any party that proudly waves the banners of such political ignoramuses. I will instead continue my prayers for the superior political party that will one day come and serve all of us (rather than just the white and the rich).
Thank you for your time,
I do wish you and yours the best (we are all still citizens of the earth, after all),
With love and peace,
David Vincent Goodwin"
I feel that what I said towards the end was true. Even if we hate it, the Tea Party may be a step closer to what we really need. A slightly backwards, not completely visible step, but a step all the same.
"If we shadows have offended, think but this; and all is mended that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear and this weak and idle theme no more yielding but a dream. Gentles--do not reprehend if you pardon, we will mend."
-William Shakespeare
