Ellis’ column proves what we already know, the Tea Baggers are a skitzo, hypocritical, misguided group

Ellis, the Argus Endorser‘s political reporter, wrote about a Tea Party poll today. I will point out some of the finer points;

Some results are predictable: The bulk of the tea party’s support comes from older, white men. Registered Republicans numbered 77 percent, while 13 percent were Democrats. It’s a generally religious group. Fifty-five percent go to church one or more times a week. And 48 percent think the Earth is 6,000 years old.

That last line should disqualify them right there to be a serious political group. After laughing for about 10 minutes, I broke out in a cold sweat.

Thirty-seven percent report having a bachelor’s degree or higher. That’s about 12 percentage points higher than the general population, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau results.

That’s why the 6,000 year old world argument kinda surprises me. Did any of them take any archeological or geography classes in college? Or at least picked up a copy of National Geographic in the dentist’s office? Have any of them seen dinosaur bones?

More than a quarter had somebody in their immediate family employed in government. Fifty-seven percent had an immediate family member who serves, or has served, in the military. Yet 76 percent favor closing some or most of the country’s overseas military bases.

Oh, but it gets better, not only do they want to fire themselves, but get this . . .

Almost half reported being on a government program, such as Social Security or veterans health care. Yet 80 percent want last year’s health care reform law repealed. Eighteen percent have an immediate family member who receives federal farm subsidies. Yet 47 percent think federal farm payments to farmers and ranchers should be left at current levels or increased.

Typical hypocrisy of these folks. They want government subsidies for themselves, but nobody else should get them, because somehow they feel they have ‘earned them’ which they have. Well guess what, anyone who pays taxes in this country (sales, property, income, etc.) deserves the benefit of a socialist democracy. I have never said I wasn’t willing to pay for a public option, my objection to private insurance is simple; the government won’t profit from sick people and secondly if I am paying into the system, I should be covered 100%, no arguments about whether I needed an ambulance.

There also was some distrust of corporations, which is a common element in populist uprisings. Just a quarter totally agreed that the U.S. Constitution gives corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts in elections.

Yet the Koch brothers started and funded the Tea Party movement. Do you think they are looking out for Joe-Six Pack Tea Party members or themselves? Is the Earth 6,000 years old? Boo Yah!

Yet 63 percent totally agree that the Second Amendment gives private groups the right to form militias to hold government accountable.

Bam! Bam! Shoot Em’ Up!

A political party, Masten says, needs underlying themes to hold it together. And it needs leadership.

“I don’t know that that exists for the tea party,” he said.

It’s pretty clear they have no leadership – just look at all of the contradictions.