Customer Reviews

A New American Tea Party: The Counterrevolution Against Bailouts, Handouts, Reckless Spending, and More Taxes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

It's disheartening to see that some reviewers cannot think beyond the paradigm of Republican vs. Democrat, right vs. left. This book accurately chronicles the generic and humble beginnings of the tea party movement demonstrating once and for all the supposed Astroturf ringleaders are real Americans with real concerns who finally came together to confront the gross expansions of government. This isn't about party politics. This isn't a front, a show, or some GOP or Fox conspiracy. As A New American Tea Party demonstrates, this tea party movement is about the philosophical underpinnings of freedom and the role of government and the participants are diverse and amorphous. The tea party attendees, and readers and reviewers, know that government growth didn't happen overnight. There was a departure from limited government when Republicans were in control that continued on through the beginning of the Obama Administration. The anger from the tea party movement is directed at both parties who have an equal hand in our current mess. John O'Hara thoughtfully explores the multitude of policy debates that triggered lighting fast and organic activism from people who had never participated in the political process or attended a rally. These newfound activists came together and voiced concerns in a variety of areas but held the common belief that one must protest the excessive government expansion into our lives or risk our most treasured and basic liberties. A perfect storm of events. This book helps paint a clear picture of the contributing factors that led to this surprising revolution of the masses. Don't dismiss the book because you don't agree with the philosophical beliefs shared by the movement. Look past your own political leanings and try to understand how the empowered tea party activists will affect the political process moving forward. How can both parties relate to the growing sentiment of the tea party activists as we head into the next election cycle with "tea party" candidates running in primary races against "party" leaders? The book is the first real opportunity to study the beginnings of the movement and understand their broad concerns.

Ch 1: The Tea Parties - Discusses behind the scenes events that resulted in the large tea party protests on April 15th 2009.

Ch 2: How We Got Here Abandoning Principles and the People - Discusses lessons from Ronald Reagan, disappointments of Bush, the 1994 Almost-Revolution, and disappointments of the George W. Bush Big-Government administration, and the 2008 election of Obama.

Ch 3: The Whistling Teapot, The Financial Crisis, and the Bailout Nation - Discusses Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) as well as bailouts and corporate welfare.

Ch 4: The Political Class Reacts - Identifies ignorance of the political class and the misguided attempts of DHS to tag "Right Wing Extremism" as anti-government behavior that could include tea partiers. It also covers out-of-touch Nancy Pelosi references to an astro-turf movement.

Ch 5: The Media Strikes Back - Interesting observations of the Media Blackout followed by misinformation and sexual slurs (e.g. Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper, and Keith Olbermann shows); reviews the absurdly racist accusations of Janeane Garofalo as well.

Ch 6: Radical Ideas: fiscal responsibility, individual liberty versus stimulus fraud and mythical job numbers - concludes with violations of the Constitution

Ch 7: Radical Tactics - Discussion on Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, ACORN, Unions, SEIU, and a culture of corruption. Correctly identifies that Tea Partiers are against bailouts and handouts.

Ch 8: The Teapot Boils over Healthcare, Takes Center Stage - Discusses town hall reactions to a "fishy" plan supported by White House Spin.

Ch 9: The Tea Party Manifesto - Emphasis on fiscal responsibility and limited government

Ch 10: Rules for Counter-radicals ... Asks why should we reward bad behavior. He places emphasis on roles of government as well as consistent principled action.

I give this book my highest rating of five stars. John O'Hara has a wonderfully entertaining writing style that is very easy to read and understand. Incumbent politicians and those who aspire to elected offices should read this book to understand the "common men and women" who make up the Tea Party movement. It is a terrific primer in current events. John, I am proud of you for telling it like it is! Great Job!

Dr. B Leland Baker, author of Tea Party Revival

Tea Party Revival: The Conscience of a Conservative Reborn: The Tea Party Revolt Against Unconstrained Spending and Growth of the Federal Government

This book provided me with good background information on how the Tea Party took off. I was a little late in reading it but finally got to it. It is truly inspiring to know that the an organic movement could start in five days without no leadership or plans. This only solidifies the passion and compelling movement from real grassroots. There is also some real good history of how the unions control political agendas and how they treat the employers. It really filled in a lot of gaps a had in my research due to the overwhelming amount of damage being thrown at the American public on daily.

I read some of the low rate reviewers and again am disgusted by their desperate attempts to dismiss the movement. It was ironic that the book actually describes exactly what the lefties are doing here on Amazon and every other outlet. This is scary but it reminds me of the bibles teachings of demons, or for movie buffs when the sunlight hits the vampires.

Keep moving forward American so we can finally cement down the lid on these real hate-mongers that have gotten their way for too long!!

"A New American Tea Party" is a well written, understandable overview of the tea party movement and conservative's beliefs. The Tea party movement is not about Republicans and Democrats. The leaders in both parties have their share of the blame for the financial mess mess we are in. The Tea Party participants are a large, diverse group of citizens from everywhere in the United States, who have come together to let their elected know they are fed up with government irresponsibility and that they will no longer remain silent while government ignores the wishes of the majority of the American people. They are not against all taxes as the liberal media have often portrayed them to be. They are for fiscal responsibility and know that you can't spend your way out of a recession. More of the same policies that got you into the mess in the first place will not turn the economy around, but only send it deeper into debt which their children and grandchildren will have to pay for. The Tea Party protesters are not the lunatic right wing fanatics nor are they the astroturf fakes that many liberals have branded them as. They are concerned citizens who have come together to let those in leadership know that conservative Americans want a return to the constitutional principles this nation was founded upon and also to protest government's intrusion into ever greater areas of their lives they have no business regulating. They do not want government spending the United States into bankruptcy. They see our ever swifter decent into socialism and are rightly disgusted. They do not want government bailing out irresponsible, to big to fail companies with their hard earned tax money, but rather want to let those companies work their way out of their self made messes or go bankrupt. In already troubled financial times, they do not want the huge cost of Obama care. What they do want is to be left to make their own choices about healthcare and other personal matters of importance to them. They believe in personal responsibility not government handouts. John O'Hara not only details conservatives beliefs, but also gives an excellent account of the Tea Party's history and the steps we all need to engage in to bring this country back to moral, limited, accountable, fiscally sound government.

It is a very well written and thoughtful book. I saw John interviewed by Jon Stewart, the Daily Show, on April 20th. It was a spirited but respectful give and take. I recommend you watch the show online. This will surely peak your interest and get you to go out and buy this book. It appears that some of the negative reviewers of the book never read the book because those reviews are littered with inaccuracies and false innuendos and accusations. Shame on folks for taking pot shots like that without giving the book careful consideration. It is non-denominational, not partisan. Anyway, with more than 20% of all Americans now identifying with the Tea Party Movement, this is a well written and important piece of work to read.

I'm not a supporter of the Tea Party movement, and this book failed to convince me to join their cause. There was nothing original in this book--A New American Tea Party is a blueprint for radical libertarianism (on one page O'Hara suggests the possibility of privatizing government functions like the police and military). Ron Paul already ran a campaign on this theme, and he is not in the Oval Office last time I checked). O'Hara makes very questionable claims in this book that include, among others: climate change/global warming is a hoax, the problem with health care in America is that it's not completely left to the hands of the free market, the CRA was primarily responsible for the economic collapse, etc... None of these stand up to any impartial analysis. This is a book that will be well received by the already converted; I can't imagine it persuading any one in the middle (like myself) to embrace the movement.

The Tea Party members always talk about their devotion to the Constitution, yet they seem to have forgotten the words of one of the most important Framers, James Madison: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Madison would probably be considered a big government apologist if he was in Congress today. If you're a free market fundamentalist,save yourself $20 and watch Neil Cavuto or Sean Hannity. Sure, they present an oversimplified version of political reality, but at least they're free.

A new movement is rising up within America...a new awakening! It is not Democrat or Republican. It is made up of common people from all parties who are wondering where their country is headed. It is a movement that hopes to force all politicans to walk the walk and talk the talk! This book is well-written and explains some of our nation's past. It shows us the possibility of a more transparent government in our future and how to achieve it. It is a MUST read for all who are concerned about corruption in high places, want to hold our leaders to a higher standard, and perhaps, wish to enter local, state, or national public service, themselves. An inspiring book.

This book is very well written and offers a very unique first-hand perspective of the TEA Party movement not likely to be heard in the mainstream media. While the book definitely slants in favor of the TEA Party movement, and a is written from conservative/libertarian perspective, this book should be appealing to independents and Democrats concerned about the state of our nation too. The book criticizes the failures of Democrats and Republicans alike, and captures the frustrations toward government that many Americans now have.

Being a Tea Party organizer myself I found this book being a very accurate description of the real trials & tribulations of what a local TEA Party organizer, like myself, has gone through. It also provides great advice on how to avoid many of the pitfalls that could take the TEA party movement off of its intended course. Much of this book reads like a how-to book designed to instruct local liberty leaders on how to successful transition the TEA party movement from a once-off protest into a lasting successful political movement.

Perhaps, what is most important about this book is that it correctly diagnoses many of the problems facing local, state, and federal governments today and lays out a vision how ordinary citizens can become empowered to start tackling some of the most challenging problems that our nation currently faces.

A great read.

John O'Hara masterfully sets the reader on a course through the history of the tea parties that culminates in a modern day reaction against the waste, fraud, and abuse perpetuated by the American federal government. O'Hara illustrates how the Tea Party Movement reflects something deeper than the mere "astroturf" factionalism the news media might portray, instead representing a re-capturing of core constitutional values and a reenvisioning of America as it was founded to be. If you are interested in developing a cultivated sense of the problems facing our country with Health Care, ACORN, the Czars, the financial crisis, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the rise of unions, and other pressing political issues, then this is a MUST READ!!!!

O'Hara is a crafty writer with real-world activist roots in the beginning of the Tea Party movement; according to the author, the Tea Party was established as a legitimate movement after Rick Santelli's February 19, 2009 rant on CNBC Squawk Box. O'Hara claims the movement came about because of the already stirring dissent among the majority of Americans, and Santelli's rant was the catalyst.

I don't consider this a thorough treatise on the history of the current Tea Party movement, nowhere near being academic. Instead, it's a distortion of the truth behind the advent of the most divisive political party in US history. The Tea Party is portrayed as a genuine grassroots movement. The author adamantly denies its Astroturf label and his affiliation with think-tanks like his employer the Heartland Institute. Sure, there is Soros and his support for Leftist astroturfs, but the Tea Party was no exception. It is disingenuous for the author to play down his employer's role in the movement, along with the influence of many other conservative think tanks. O'Hara does not state exactly why or how much did the think tanks support the Tea Party movement in the beginning. Instead, the author devotes a few pages to show how his organization denied RNC chairmen Michael Steele's initial chance of participating with the movement, in an attempt to make it seem that the initial "grassroots" movement was independent of outside GOP influence. We know now of the GOP influence, just by researching the history of FreedomWorks and the GOP success in the midterm elections.

The author fails dismally to correctly explain the economic meltdown of 2008. In Conservative fashion, he places the majority of blame on those delinquent homeowners with their subpar credit ratings and low income, by incorrectly associating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as the main culprit of the debacle. Albeit, this book is not an economic treatise of the 2008 meltdown, the irresponsibility that caused the near economic collapse of 2008 lied with the banks and their iniquitous trades amongst themselves. Those delinquent subprime loans were only the tip of the iceberg, as most of the delinquencies came from prime loans, which was stated by the lenders themselves. Of course, none of this is mentioned in the book, which either shows the authors bias or lack of understanding.

There are more topics of conservative interest covered in this book, which is covered in Tea Party fashion masked as a moderate conservative. I purchased this book to see it from both sides, but I'm sorely disappointed. I'm still waiting for a legitimate treatise on a supposedly legitimate movement.