Here are a few sentences selected from a NYT story about the September 12 Tea Party demonstrations held around the country:
Ginni Thomas, a founder of the Tea Party group Liberty Central and the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, continued the theme of anti-elitism, declaring, “Every day citizens make a difference, it’s not the elitist rulers.”
“Let’s not let this country be destroyed by the elitist politicians with bad ideas,” she added.
...Speaker after speaker complained about portrayals of the Tea Party movement as extremist.
But signs in the crowd did not shy away from outright anger. “By ballot or bullet, restoration is coming,” read one sign, held over a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.
Did I read that right?
The wife of a Supreme Court justice founded a political party whose mission is to overturn government as we know it?
The wife of a government official paid $213,900 a year (according to Wikipedia) wants the non-elite (whoever that is) running a very small government on a perfectly balanced budget? In other words, we'd turn government operations into a kind of giant ATM machine, which – without any thought, discussion or overdraft privileges -- would spend only what it has on hand. Does that include her husband’s paycheck?
According to the story, the crowd called for an end to spending cuts, but also to income tax. They want to boot out illegal immigrants and stop the proliferation of mosques. And, most of all, repeal that odious health care reform law, the one that gives everyone some of what the Thomases get in government benefits.
I can hear it now:
“Uh sorry, soldier, but we don’t have money for ammunition this week. Maybe you can improvise.”
“Harry, after this truckload, there’s no more asphalt. We can probably finish this road after April 15.”
“Oh, by the way, we’re putting you and all other air-traffic controllers on unpaid leave for a week. Those planes will just have to fend for themselves. Enjoy your time off!”
“Stop the surgery, doc!”
“We’re sure you and the other justices won’t mind working without pay for a few weeks, right? Right?”
Yeah, right.
But, what’s really disturbing is it looks like she’s associating with—if not advocating for---people who call for violent revolution. I remember when that was a very big no-no.
I wonder how this would play if she were involved in, say, a radical, left-wing group comprised of African Americans calling for the heads of government officials (including Supreme Court justices) it accuses of crimes against blacks?
To read the full story in the Times, go here.