Tea Party Express Coming to New Mexico

Without doubt if you have been watching the news lately or have perused an on-line newspaper or blog, you have become aware of the increasingly hostile and confrontational acts of some members of our society. Specifically, groups such as the “Tea Party Express,” the “Right Principles,” and others (like Bush-administration left-over Karl Rove) have targeted Congressional efforts to reform healthcare, branding the reform efforts “Obamacare.”

While no one here at the Democratic Party of New Mexico would discourage the participation of citizens, voters or activists in the political discourse which so often helps to shape the fabric which makes up our great nation, we certainly take umbrage at the idea that these so-called activists are anything other than well-orchestrated performances of isolated groups of people which seek to artificially create confrontations and conflict while simultaneously spreading mis-information.

As a result, the Democratic National Committee has released an advertisement (previously posted to our Twitter account @NMDEMS) which highlights the frenzy and unhinged response from Republican-fueled citizen mobs.

In addition to the above video, there are reports from across the country that show similar tactics on the part of the disruptive protesters – but why so similar? It is becoming apparent that these “organic” protests are nothing more than what House Speaker Pelosi has deemed “Astro-turf” protests. We here at the Democratic Party of New Mexico have obtained several readily-available “playbooks” for would-be protesters of Congressional healthcare reforms.

While many of these groups advocate the renewal of the idea of American freedom, but combined with the active support of current Republican leadership, the flames of dissent have been heightened to a level which is becoming increasingly dangerous. RollCall has reported that protesters have displayed Nazi signs, hung effigies of members of Congress and faux tombstones of others. But to what end does such extremism serve? It certainly does not increase discourse among the opposing viewpoints on health care reform and it certainly does not compel members of Congress to increase transparency vis-à-vis constituents.

In fact, such demonstrations may well hurt Republicans in the future. Just one example of this comes from the Napa Valley Register (a paper which endorsed John McCain last year) which has issued a scathing editorial stating that protesters should find more appropriate and constructive ways to voice their concerns.

While we here in New Mexico have been relatively immune (to this point) from such displays, our Congressional delegation will soon be back in the state for recess. It is important that Democrats become fully informed and stop the Republican Party’s campaign of mis-information.

Already Republican interests are targeting our state for their own interests – The Tea Party Express – yes, the same group which brought you such displays as this are planning to make two stops in New Mexico on their US bus tour. First, they will descend upon Rio Rancho on Tuesday, September 1^st at 1pm at Haynes Park and then in Las Cruces at 6:30pm at Young Park. It is highly important that Democratic supporters maintain their integrity and be fully informed of the facts relating to the proposed health care reforms.

Full information on the proposed reforms can be found at: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

Contact the DPNM at info@nmdemocrats.org to find out what you can do to help pass real Health Care Reform.

As always, we at the DPNM urge you to follow us on Twitter @NMDEMS and on this blog.