A Vocal Minority

A standard talking point by opponents of the tea party movement is that we are merely a vocal minority. This usually follows with a complaint that we are “ultra rightwing extremists.”

Compared to the general population, almost any movement is a “vocal minority.” Unless someone makes a priority out of a particular issue and sets aside time to do it, the normal responsibilities and distractions of life will usurp our time. For most people it is very difficult to do that. Much of the wasteful spending and inappropriate use of taxpayer funded government resources are due to one vocal minority or another. If the tea party is truly a “vocal minority,” we are doing what people in other historical movements have done to achieve change.

We have managed to consistently bring a number of people to Boone County Quorum Court meetings. This means that some of the shenanigans of the last few decades cannot as easily continue....now that people are watching.

Government is open to the people. Local government in particular is the closest to the people. It is not open exclusively to tea party members or like minded conservatives. It is open to all. If tea party opponents do not like the fact that JPs Guynn, Thompson, Tinsley, and Widner do not merely go along with Dan Roberts and what I view to be the Roberts' wing of the Quorum Court, then let these opponents attend the meetings.

Opponents of the tea party need to take the time. Speak their mind. They should stand up and say they oppose the idea of taxpayers in Boone County having paved roads maintained. They should stand up and defend some of the more ridiculous ways the Boone County Quorum Court has wasted the people's money on so many things other than roads, back when taxpayers weren't paying as much attention.

In fact, it might be good if they would come and defend things like votes against maintaining roads. Afterall, when someone asked Justice of the Peace Allen Mallioux why he chose to vote against maintaining roads, he was shocked that he would be personally questioned. He couldn't explain his vote. In a meeting specifically about roads, Allen Mallioux said he had to “check [his] notes” to explain why he voted against roads. Perhaps tea party opponents could defend that.....that a Justice of the Peace cannot explain his vote about an important issue to a constituent. Is this what tea party opponents support?

Some have complained about the idea of putting a hold on the budget since it did not include adequate funding for the roads. In other words, these tea party opponents want Jps who support proper road funding to just give in and bend over for Dan Roberts and the other JPs who seem to frequently vote his way. Compromise normally means each side gives a little to find a happy medium. “Compromise” to tea party opponents means total surrender to the failed “business as usual” policies of the past. Sorry tea party opponents, but those days are over.

Almost every change, good or bad, has come from a small but vocal minority. It's the only way things happen. Champions of the status quo mediocrity can't even bother to take the time to attend government meetings and speak their minds. Our Founding Fathers created a system wherein we the people can speak our minds and influence our government. But it only works if it is actually used. Thank God there are people who recognize the problems and are willing to take their time to attend these meetings.

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Note: Blog entries by Boone County Tea Party members are the opinion of the individual author only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Boone County Tea Party as a whole. Blog entries are posted here for the convenience of the general public.