I did not attend a tea party yesterday.  I was busy working on my taxes all day and during that time contemplated weather or not to go.  In the end I decided not to.  Not because I don’t believe in the movement but because I don’t think the people supporting it provide any support for real reform.

Let me explain.  I’ve heard numbers in the press and from attendees that there were anywhere from 2,000-10,000 people in attendance on the capital grounds in St. Paul yesterday.

Last year, across all of Minnesota, only 9174 people found the courage to place their presidential votes for the Barr & Root (Libertarian) ballot and only 6787 voted for Baldwin & Castle (Constitution).  The sum of all these votes represents only 15,961 ballots cast for any party that really represents the kind of change the attendees are looking for.   This is barely 1/2 a percent (0.55%) of all ballots cast in the state.

So who were the protesters?  I’m sure some of them actually did support and vote for an actual small government ticket such as Barr or Baldwin.  However, I think the media is largely correct in that these are disgruntled Republicans supporters who only find principles when their representatives are out of power.  But when they are in power, they tax and spend just like the Democrats.  How can you vote for a big government ticket such as McCain / Palin then 5 months later attend a tea party bashing the policies your ticket stood for?

I’ll believe there is a movement when all those who took the time to show up yesterday quit making signs to protest and start voting their supposed new found principles.  They need to realize their votes for McCain only sent the message to Washington that they approve of the big government path.  The tea parties are useless if your not ready to start voting on constitutional principles.

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
John Quincy Adams