There is no doubt that the tea party movement has electrified America with its timely call for reducing federal spending and returning to the principles of limited government.
The tea party has given voice to millions who are weary of Washington’s encroachment on personal liberties, and tea party support, or opposition, has helped elect or defeat candidates in recent elections.
Yet while tea party members are firm in their views, they are generally civil in stating them.
Unfortunately, the tea party’s call for responsible governance is often greeted with incivility. Here are a few examples from recent weeks:
• According to multiple sources, Vice President Joe Biden said during a gathering of House Democrats that Republicans backed by the tea party “acted like terrorists.” The vice president was upset that those Republicans refused to go along with massive new debt. That’s “terrorism”?