[Vision2020] Tea Party Views on Violence Compared to Other Political Ideologies

[Ted Moffett]

Recent discussion on the climate of violent rhetoric in US politics
focused on comments made by politicians from differing ideologies,
suggesting that violent language or language that could be interpreted
as violent is not more prevalent among Tea Party supporters any more
than Democrats, etc.

However, a 2010 survey comparing Tea Party followers to other
political groups indicates that a significantly hgher percentage of
Tea Party followers believe that violence against the government is
sometimes justified, compared to US citizens overall.  This suggests
that violent rhetoric may indeed be more prevalent among Tea Party
supporters than among Democrats and Republicans who are not Tea Party
followers.

The results of this survey at website below are quite revealing on
many issues and support some of the often heard stereotypes of Tea
Party followers (they tend to watch Fox News, believe anthropogenic
climate warming is doubtful, positive views on Sarah Palin and Glenn
Beck, doubt Obama's birth nation, etc.):

April 14, 2010 6:30 PM

Tea Party Supporters: Who They Are and What They Believe

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20002529-503544.html

>From website above:

"Twenty-four percent of Tea Party supporters say it is sometimes
justified to take violent action against the government. That compares
to 16 percent of Americans overall who say violence against the
government is sometimes justified."

------------------------------------------
Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett