Regarding the tea party, will someone answer this for me?

[matt819]

Why are tea partiers allowed to run under the umbrella of the republican party and not as members of their own party - the Tea Party - a la Greens, Socialists, Communists, etc.?

There's no question it's not a grass roots effort. There's no question that its members are not serving the interests of American citizens but rather their (the tea party's) corporate sponsors. There is increasing question whether the republicans really want them in their tent.

And while I'm at it, when are tax-exempt religious organizations who advocate politically going to lose their tax exemptions?

[daleanime]

1. Because our owners want it...

that way.:shrug:

[kctim]

2. For the same reason

progressives run under the umbrella of the Democratic Party: the benefits of money and power from the Party.
If Republicans get tired of the Tea Party types, they will quit supporting them and they will do as the greens did, form their own party that has neither money or power.

[matt819]

3. I don't think so

The Democratic Party has traditionally been the big tent party, or some such. And while there has been a range of beliefs among Democrats, from centrist to progressive, there was an acknowledgement that we all belonged and were welcome in that tent. Sure, not everyone would prevail, but we would all be heard. For example, I'm sure there were moderate Dems during the 60s who would have preferred a slower pace on civil rights, for example, but the progressives of the time prevailed. Fifty years later the centrists, aka Republicans, are holding sway and more progressive Dems have begun to feel unwelcome and unheard. But that's a recent phenomenon.

The right was more narrowly focused, and the fringe was just that - the fringe. There was the odd batshit crazy politician, but they were tolerated, not encouraged. And everyone else went along with the small government, pro-business platform, and even some compromise now and then. But the fringe is now the norm, and even mainstream republicans, let's use McCain as an example, are marginalized and have begun to grasp what they, sadly, had a hand in creating. And the differences between the different "wings" of the party are sufficiently vast that they require a new name. That suggests to me that they should be compelled to stand, or fall, on their own. And, to paraphrase the judge when he pronounces the death penalty, may god have mercy on our souls.

[kctim]

5. The greens were part of the left-wing fringe of the Democratic Party

They thought they had more support than they did, so they formed their own party and are now basically obsolete.

Right now, the Tea Party are like the Progressives in that they make up about 20% of the party. If either go out on their own as the greens did, they will lose the money and support of their respected party and will end up being a marginal party at best.

[Change has come]

6. ugh.

I didn't realize you were still here. I could have sworn you ate the granite cookie.

[malaise]

4. SImple answer

They are ReTHUGS

[Zax2me]

7. They are just a wing of party. Far right.

Same exists on both sides.

[Skittles]

8. because they are REPUBLICANS