You couldn't escape the television news coverage yesterday of the hundreds of TEA Parties (Tax Enough Already) organized around the country on Tax Day. Charlotte was a part of the fold as an estimated 2,000 people gathered in front of the old City Hall in uptown to protest government spending. Most of those in attendance are against President Obama's recent budget proposal and government bailouts, some of which began during the Bush Administration.
Yesterday's crowd in uptown mirrored those that could be found in Boston, D.C., New York, Miami, and all across the country--mostly Republican. Even the news coverage yesterday was considered to be divided between liberal and conservative in how the events were described. I think it was all a bunch of B.S. I don't care what side of the aisle your political views fall on, the rallies showed how most Americans continue to be reactive instead of proactive. Where was all of this public outcry when the national deficit was being run up during the last eight years?
It's easy to show up to a public event with your cleverly worded sign, but how involved are you when city council meetings are held weekly? How educated do you become when an election is approaching? You do know Charlotte is having a mayoral election this fall, right?
I'm all for civic engagement, but don't only do it when it's popular or going to be a spectacle. In fact, if you want to get involved with the politics and issues that are affecting our city, you can attend some of the events and programs that are offered throughout the year by nonpartisan group GenerationEngage Charlotte. Or go to a school board meeting once in a while. Hell, start by going to your kids' PTA meeting.
The sad part of this reality that I don't think anyone has talked about is that one reason so many people were able to attend these rallies across the country is because millions of Americans are unemployed. And we didn't get here overnight. Below is video from yesterday's TEA Party in Charlotte.
Yesterday's crowd in uptown mirrored those that could be found in Boston, D.C., New York, Miami, and all across the country--mostly Republican. Even the news coverage yesterday was considered to be divided between liberal and conservative in how the events were described. I think it was all a bunch of B.S. I don't care what side of the aisle your political views fall on, the rallies showed how most Americans continue to be reactive instead of proactive. Where was all of this public outcry when the national deficit was being run up during the last eight years?
It's easy to show up to a public event with your cleverly worded sign, but how involved are you when city council meetings are held weekly? How educated do you become when an election is approaching? You do know Charlotte is having a mayoral election this fall, right?
I'm all for civic engagement, but don't only do it when it's popular or going to be a spectacle. In fact, if you want to get involved with the politics and issues that are affecting our city, you can attend some of the events and programs that are offered throughout the year by nonpartisan group GenerationEngage Charlotte. Or go to a school board meeting once in a while. Hell, start by going to your kids' PTA meeting.
The sad part of this reality that I don't think anyone has talked about is that one reason so many people were able to attend these rallies across the country is because millions of Americans are unemployed. And we didn't get here overnight. Below is video from yesterday's TEA Party in Charlotte.
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