My understanding over the past year was that the Tea Party crowd came together primarily in the interests of shrinking government, cutting taxes, and reducing federal control over their lives.
It seemed to be more a protest about taxes and "big" government than about the social issues the Repubs have rallied around in the past. More libertarian than religious conservatives.
This now seems to be wrong. When it came down to the final few fighting issues in the 11th hour budget showdown, it was all about political ideology: abortion, global warming, school vouchers, and health care reform.
None of these has much effect on the budget deficit. The amounts were miniscule and would have had minimal effect on the deficit -- except for defunding health care reform, which would have increased both the deficit and the number of uninsured people.
What voters need to keep in mind is that the Repubs were ready to shut down our governmental services in a fight, literally, over Planned Parenthood. They need to decide in 2012 whether these are the people they want running our government.
Ralph
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