While working on my website and updating my website header with a twist on the words “Conservative Coffee,” I decided I’d better Google the terms/words and make sure I wasn’t infringing on someone else’s idea, etc. To my surprise, I came across this article by Kevin Drum about the term “Coffee Conservative.” I was unaware this term even existed, so I was intrigued and read on…
According to the author, who quoted the Raleigh News & Observer, the term “Coffee Conservative” refers to someone as follows:
“To join the Coffee Party in Raleigh, you can’t be a screamer, a name-caller, a loud-mouthed zealot or somebody whose idea of politics translates to jabbing a sign in the air, red in the face. All you need are some manners, a good listening ear and a caffeine jones.”
After reading the article and carefully considering the definition of a “Coffee Conservative,” I came to realize (according to this definition) it seems Coffee Conservatives are somehow deemed more poised and perhaps more eloquent than our sometimes hot-headed tea partiers. But before we cast judgment on ALL tea partiers, I would like to remind you that our media outlets have been relentlessly portraying tea partiers as violent misfits who want to “bully” others and cause chaos. On the contrary, most tea partiers are civilized, intelligent individuals (like you and me) who are just plain sick and tired of the politics as usual in Washington. I can relate… Can you?
After reading about Coffee Conservatives, I’m not sure I would say I solely align with them. I do agree that calm and toned down communications are always best — but in the case of today’s politics, our elected officials may be hearing us (and I say that with extreme apprehension), but they aren’t really listening to us. What else can you do?! I can sympathize with the tea partiers on many issues and I feel their frustration and anger (especially as we continue down this path of high spending, high unemployment, high taxes, and more government control within our private lives). So what’s wrong with getting fired up? What’s wrong with gathering together with signs? It’s refreshing to see citizens getting involved and speaking up. Most gatherings are completely harmless (unless you’re especially sensitive to loud voices and elementary school-like antics of occasional name calling — in which case I would say pack up your sorry butt and go home to Mom and Dad!). The liberal left (Obama supporters) have been showing up to some of the tea party demonstrations and they have initiated unwarranted violence towards tea partier demonstrators (as recently shared on YouTube) but again, this information is rarely reported on the nightly news.
For too long, the citizens of this great country have been idle and apathetic to most of what has been going on in Washington, and now, we’re fighting hard to regain that control. Protests and demonstrations are completely fine (and necessary) so long as they remain non-violent. So, I say if you’re mad, it’s okay — and you should let it show. We need to stay on the heels of our elected officials and make sure they’re owning up to campaign and party promises. For those who continually put down the tea partiers and their demonstrations, I ask “What are you so afraid of?” Regardless of party affiliations, WE ALL have some cleaning up to do. Out with the old and in with the new!
I like my Conservative Coffee… but I’m also very fond of TEA.
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