Is anybody else tired of polar politics? Democrats are evil. Republicans are out of touch. The left is too liberal. The right is too conservative. It’s one side against the other all the time, and I’m tired of it. It’s time for independent voters to get together and make their voices heard.
The big “independent” group getting attention is the Tea Party Movement, but I don’t identify with them. Sure there are independent trainings like The Patriot Caucus, “an effort aimed at developing statewide infrastructure for the purpose of influencing the outcome of elections,” but Tea Party sites routinely use disrespectful language toward government officials to garner support for their cause.
For example, TeaPartyPatriots.org refers to the president as “Mr. Obama.” TaxDayTeaParty.com has a page entitled “Dump Harry Reid” that doesn’t say anything about why they want to “dump” the Senate majority leader. That’s not what I’m after. I want intelligent, independent, diverse political discourse from all points of view, not just one, without name-calling or disrespect.
Enter the Coffee Party. Like the Tea Party, the Coffee Party Movement was started to fulfill the need for political discourse among citizens. Independent thought is valued and community gatherings are encouraged. Unlike the Tea Party, the Coffee Party uses civility and respect to hash out their differences.
The Coffee Party Movement was inadvertently started by Annabel Park, an immigrant from South Korea. The movement was the result of an angry Facebook status update that grew into a Facebook fan page, according to a February article at the Washington Post. Since then, Park has helped found Coffee Party USA, a website that serves as a forum for “deliberation guided by reason amongst the many viewpoints held by our members.”
No preexisting ideology? Diversity of members and opinions? Recognizing the federal government as “the expression of our collective will” and not as an enemy? This is something I can get behind.
The expression of many points of view with true care and consideration for everyone’s concerns is best for everyone in the long run. That is why with you as my witnesses, I hereby take the Civility Pledge:
“As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process.”
Freedom, liberty and coffee for all.