Mention “tea party” and you may think of the Boston Tea Party of 1773. It was a forerunner of the American Revolution, as colonial patriots protested the British tax on tea, and other British dictation to the American colonies, by boarding ships in Boston Harbor and throwing bales of tea into the water.
Or you may think of little girls playing at make-believe tea parties.
But today, mention of tea parties refers to a movement among some Americans, generally political conservatives, gathering peacefully to protest high taxes, big government and other grievances.
Last February the first national convention of the movement met in Nashville. Other meetings have been held throughout the country.
Generally, there is little formal political organization. But there are signs of great political dissatisfaction for various reasons, so far without cohesive political orientation.
There is dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama, whose poll ratings have dropped below 50 percent. But there is yet no Republican presidential prospect who has gained major status, although “wannabes” are evident.
Some critics have tried to tarnish the tea party movement by infiltrating public meetings, making improper comments and creating disorder.
The modern movement hasn’t tossed tea, except perhaps symbolically. But there surely is a great deal of political unhappiness throughout the country.
It will be interesting to see whether the movement will mature as a positive, not just negative, statement — and “who” may yet show up as a popular and serious leader as a presidential prospect for 2012.