Even stranger might be the fact that 55% believe the recession has been difficult on them and their family. Fourteen percent believe the recession has brought hardship. So, nearly 70% think the recession is responsible for their economic woes. How does one claim to be doing fairly good and very god when the recession has brought hardship and difficulties? Is this more of a political answer than an answer that reflect reality? Are Tea Partiers saying they have experienced problems under a recession because Obama has presided over much of the recession since January 2009?
When asked about social issues, 78% were concerned with economic issues and only 14% about social issues. Perhaps surprisingly, 16% think gay and lesbians should be allowed to legally marry while 41% support civil unions. And, this indicates that at least 57% support civil unions, which means a majority of Tea Party respondents essentially support Obama's position on gay and lesbian couples.
Their racial attitudes are probably the most indicative of the nature of the Tea Party. They do not want anyone to get a leg up or handout from the government and this would be why 73% of Tea Party respondents said black and white people have an equal chance of getting ahead in today's society. Fifty-two percent think too much has been made of problems facing black people. Yet, despite the fact that Obama is African-American, 65% regard him as having policies that treat blacks and whites the same.
As far as Social Security and Medicare go, a majority of the Tea Party supports these programs. In fact, much of the Tea Party is probably relying on Social Security or Medicare right now. But, they do not want government to expand its social services to create a bigger social safety net for members of American society.
Ninety-two percent responded that Obama was moving the country toward socialism. And, when ask where they get information they trust from, 37% responded television or newspapers and 45% responded other supporters. Most likely, this indicates that the Tea Party is tuned in to radio, specific sites or blogs on the Internet, and FOX News. (Interestingly, whether one trusted information from radio was not a selection one could make when asked about where they got trusted information from).
All of this analysis leads me to believe that these angry and afraid Americans are much more confused, misled and bewildered than they would lead one to believe. I don't think they know where the Tea Party Express is going. And, that is frightening.
With people in places of power--in corporations, government, media organizations, think tanks and policy institutes--willing to tap into the fear and anxiety, these individuals become the shock troops for free market thugs and the corporate oligarchy that currently rules society. And, if these people in places of power can make those in the Tea Party seem like they are the ones responsible for dismantling government, even if it is the corporations and government leaders who are responsible the Tea Party will take credit and use "victories" to empower their movement.
And, to a certain extent, they will rightfully be taking credit. Their actions help create the propaganda or media messages that feed people who are increasingly angry with how government responds to the needs of people who live in American society.
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