We can gloss the values of the Tea Party movement by saying "anything anti-Obama," and perhaps that will hit a swath of truths, however, if we attempt an objective look at the movement, we might get a better picture.
It's difficult to have any definitive list of values because there is no central leadership. However, if you consider the
Contract from America, it represents a summary of concerns as surveyed by those involved in the movement. Below are the top ten concerns by popularity:
Quote:
- Identify constitutionality of every new law: Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does (82.03%).
- Reject emissions trading: Stop the "cap and trade" administrative approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. (72.20%).
- Demand a balanced federal budget: Begin the Constitutional amendment process to require a balanced budget with a two-thirds majority needed for any tax modification. (69.69%)
- Simplify the tax system: Adopt a single-rate tax system; eliminate the internal revenue code and replace it with one that is no longer than 4,543 words. (64.90%).
- Audit federal government agencies for constitutionality: Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in an audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality, and identifying duplication, waste, ineffectiveness, and agencies and programs better left for the states or local authorities. (63.37%)
- Limit annual growth in federal spending: Impose a statutory cap limiting the annual growth in total federal spending to the sum of the inflation rate plus the percentage of population growth. (56.57%).
- Repeal the health care legislation passed on March 23, 2010: Defund, repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (56.39%).
- Pass an 'All-of-the-Above' Energy Policy: Authorize the exploration of additional energy reserves to reduce American dependence on foreign energy sources and reduce regulatory barriers to all other forms of energy creation. (55.5%).
- Reduce Earmarks: Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark. (55.47%).
- Reduce Taxes: Permanently repeal all recent tax increases, and extend permanently the George W. Bush temporary reductions in income tax, capital gains tax and estate taxes, currently scheduled to end in 2011. (53.38%).
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So basically, they want:
- Every new law to pass a constitutional challenge
- To stop cap-and-trade
- A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget and 2/3 majority for any changes in taxes
- A streamlined single-rate tax system (a simplified flat tax)
- A constitutional audit of all federal agencies, letting the functions of those that fail to fall to state or municipal responsibility
- To limit the growth of federal spending to inflation + percent population growth
- To repeal the health care legislation
- To authorize energy exploration and reduce regulation regarding energy creation
- A moratorium on all earmarks pending a balanced budget and a 2/3 majority
- To repeal all tax increases and make permanent Bush's temporary tax reductions
I'm not sure if my list is that much more simplified, but there you go.
Generally, they are strict constitutionalists who want to cut/limit spending, cut taxes, and balance the budget.
I apologize if I've oversimplifed matters. I'm just trying to get a perspective.