Teapartymovie

Even an Englishman baffled by American politics as much as I am can't help but observe that the voters and supporters of the Tea Party are polarizing opinion in a way that professional politicians dream of. They're the darlings of both sides of the media, at a time when the major news channels would otherwise have to focus on natural disasters in distant countries where there are relatively few American voters and almost no advertising opportunities. While the impending elections here would still be news without them, the Tea Party campaigners have added a frisson of patriotism that threatens to overshadow the predictable soundbites and flag-waving that accompany party political campaigns. Honestly I couldn't tell you, even after watching this movie, whether this movement is as important to American politics as it appears or will become as influential as it believes it deserves to be. The movie is a promotional tool made by and for the Tea Party supporters, so don't expect to hear anything other than self-serving opinions and don't expect to see anything other than a united front comprised of caring patriots who genuinely believe with all their hearts that they alone represent the values that made America the great nation and supreme world power that it is today. Clocking in at a hundred minutes the movie is a touch overlong, given that you aren't going to be hearing any new points of view or meeting many new characters, and there are no surprise plot developments to be found here. You aren't going to see any of these people challenged to defend their positions, nor are you going to meet anyone who isn't articulate and charismatic. This is pure propaganda from start to finish, and if it presents a truth, it's a very carefully tailored one. "Liberty's march has a new generation of patriots" declares the front cover, and an online movie reviewer wants you to know that it "Inspires any red-blooded American to action". A banner ad reads "Get The Truth". Publicity blurb claims it has been "cheered by audiences across our great nation". "The Tea Party rescues America". The Tea Party wants you to know that it isn't racist and abhors the very idea. So you will see black supporters enlightening other blacks about the campaign message. It wants you to know that it isn't sexist, so you'll see strong female characters aplenty. It wants you to know that it's strong on family values, so you'll see mom explaining to her little daughter that dad is fighting to keep America just the way it is today, and just like in the Boston Tea Party that she was being taught about at school today. Dad will tell you he has to do something to protect his little children from growing up with nationalized health care. There is a message here, though we may well differ over what it is, and I don't think anyone will come away from the movie entirely unaffected by it. That is, of course, the purpose of propaganda. Disappointingly, one person is very conspicuous by her absence. Where is Sarah Palin in all this? She doesn't even get a mention. Could it be that the Tea Party, which is anti-racist and anti-extremist, wants to disassociate from some of the more unpleasant of Palin's supporters? In any event the absence of such a major political hottie is bound to disappoint the male audience, especially here in California, where the only other political pin-up right now is Meg Whitman. Oh Sarah, where were you?