Opinion
Related Photos
Discussion
Search for an honest man, or an honest party, is fruitless
The story is that Diogenes the Cynic once roamed the streets of ancient Greece, carrying a lantern and looking for an honest man. It wasn’t easy then, and it would be impossible today if he walked among politicians.
We saw that once again this week at the first Tea Party convention in Nashville.
We are badly in need of a true third party in this country to battle the Democrats and Republicans who have prostituted themselves for self-gain. But developing that party is nearly impossible because of human nature.
The Tea Party started as a grass-roots movement across the nation. While there were people who joined because of ulterior motives, such as racism or bigotry, there were many people who honestly were concerned about the direction of this country.
But the party isn’t even a year old and many of the leaders wouldn’t even get a second look from Diogenes.
While the party was supposed to be the party of the common man, they were informed that to attend the Tea Party Convention, it would cost them $549 for a ticket at Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. That’s on top of travel and transportation.
And then comes the news that they are going to pay $100,000 to Sarah Palin to speak. Palin? If I’m not mistaken, she helped kill the Republican Party’s chances in the presidential race just over a year ago.
If you truly are seeking to be a new party of the people, why would you bring in Palin? Although she may be good for comic relief.
Therefore the Tea Party is falling apart before it even gets going. According to reports, some activist groups as well as high-profile speakers have canceled their appearances.
This is a blow to the independent tea party groups that have sprung up around the country. And it’s a shame. Because if the Tea Party could somehow actually become the party of the common man, there would be hope for survival and national impact.
On top of that, there reportedly will be no Pledge of Allegiance to open the convention. That in itself is scary and an indication that the betterment of this country isn’t really an issue for the top Tea Party heads.
No matter how you feel about the state of the union at this time, people since the Revolutionary War have given their lives for that flag and what it represents.
It’s sad. The Tea Party has been in existence for less than a year and already the leaders have joined our Democrats and Republicans in Washington as forgetting what is truly important about the United States of America — the common man.
According to reports, Diogenes chose to be a beggar, walked around wearing a barrel and lived outside in a tub. I don’t know if he ever found an honest man, but the way things are going in this country a lot of us might soon be living the same way.
The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this column each Saturday for the Opinion page.
- Opinion
-
-
OUR VIEW: Public bodies must stop abuse of taxpayer money
Most private businesses have quit paying for employees to attend these kinds of conventions, and public bodies need to follow suit.
-
Students learn valuable lessons outside classroom
The C.O.O.L. program in Sharon is a useful model for other districts looking for ways to prepare students for life in and out of school.
-
Too hot? It’s much preferred over d-d-dead of w-w-winter
Summer is great. I’ve never hidden my affinity for the hot days and warm nights and all that the season has to offer. When I returned last week from Clearwater Beach, Fla., some of my co-workers said it was hotter in Mercer County than it was on the Gulf. I was dismayed that my friends were complaining.
-
OUR VIEW: Arts fest just one of great cultural events in county
This weekend’s Hermitage Arts Festival is one of many attractions that provide culture in Mercer County.
-
Keeping up back home easy now for vacationers
Remember when people used to go on vacation, and pretty much be out of touch with things back home? Boy, have times changed for most of us.
-
Good Samaritan turned away for fear of lawsuit
Cash-strapped public entities should either keep employees busy by having them maintain their properties or allow volunteers to do the work without having to worry about being sued.
-
OUR VIEW: Turning out some lights will save taxpayers money
Shutting off a few lights is a smarter way to cut costs than laying off employees who keep the city safe.
-
Exercising our freedom includes eating what we want
Fast-food restaurants across the country have been besieged to offer healthy alternatives, crispy salads and such to vegetable-based choices. Building on successful lawsuits filed against tobacco companies, such litigation against fast-food restaurants started to accelerate in the 1990s. People were suing the restaurants, claiming that the food caused them to be fat.
-
Taxpayers must decry unrealistic school spending
Local school boards have managed to turn back the clock to the 1960s — or so they would have taxpayers believe.
-
Young and old alike enjoy lunchtime concert series
As I walked down to the “Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series” at noon Wednesday from The Herald, I had to smile as I heard a song by “The Letterman” playing through a loudspeaker outside Penn-Ohio Cigar Shop on East State Street.
The concerts are being held each Wednesday in front of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame (old Columbia Theatre), which is owned by Tony Butala, the Sharon native who founded The Lettermen. - More Opinion Headlines
-
OUR VIEW: Public bodies must stop abuse of taxpayer money
