How the Tea Party Became a Populist, Big Government Movement

The vast majority of grassroots Tea Party supporters were never concerned with limiting government power or spending or promoting liberty. What Tea Party progressives really wanted was to crush their enemies to the left. They wanted a demagogue who would “own the libs” while still promoting liberal fiscal policies. And that’s just what they got.

Source: How the Tea Party Became a Populist, Big Government Movement - Foundation for Economic Education

The Tea Party I remember from circa 2009 to 2012 was primarily a group focused on reducing taxes, government spending and the size and scope of government in general. In fact, TEA stood for "Taxed Enough Already". They were a pro-Constitution group. They were anti-Obamacare. Many of them associated with Ron Paul.

Perhaps that was just in my local area. In any case, it is certainly something much different now, or at least the bulk of it is. Today, it simply seems to be a group that supports Republicans regardless of their positions on the issues. Their rabid support of Trump isn't much different than the left's rabid opposition of him in terms of addressing real issues. Go team.

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