To the editor:
In the spirit of equal access, its time to respond to the frequent letters from Michael Cook.
For full disclosure, I am a conservative. I’ve voted Republican and I’ve voted Democrat. However, I do not listen to Rush Limbaugh, am not a zealot, and don’t agree with everything the Tea Party says. I’m sure Mr. Cook has dropped his iced tea reading this and is picking himself up off the floor.
The difference between him and I is that I don’t sit back spending all my time writing to my newspaper whining about my ideology and making personal remarks about those who disagree with me. For Mr. Cook to say “Fox News is one explanation” immediately reveals his motivations and discredits his arguments. Folks, it’s a TV station. Turn it off. Further, for every Fox News, there are 20 liberal outlets to counter it, some that make vicious character assassinations like Media Matters and MoveOn.org.
If you don’t like something, our founding fathers gave us a framework to work within. It’s not perfect but it is the best system in the world.
The Tea Party established a platform, crafted a message, fundraised, brought forth candidates who won elections and now represent “we the people.” This organization actually used the framework handed down to us from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, which is what our fathers, and grandfathers have fought and died for. Agree with it or not, the Tea Party followed the framework called America.
Conversely, the Occupy movement has no coherent platform, nor a well-crafted massage, created a mess in our streets, spawned crime, violence and drugs, and has put forth no candidates, while also costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
If Mr. Cook wants to decry the Tea Party, then he should travel to all the congressional districts involved, hold Town Hall meetings and let voters know exactly how he feels face to face, instead of blaming Fox News and making unproductive personal comments. I suggest Mr. Cook stand at Grant Circle with his own sign. Start small. Maybe invite some friends. Do some fundraising, identify some leaders. In other words, instead of spending all day writing ideological remarks, actually do something instead of whining!
My friends, there is an awakening happening in this country. It is a movement of common sense and a return to the core values that made our nation great. More and more people see the progressive agenda changing our society negatively and they are pushing back.
I’m tired of hearing about government employee’s trips and boats, Big Dig issues, and pandemic waste and corruption at all levels. Do Main Street businesses on Cape Ann have money to waste every day? Of course not. Further, I tire of hearing public union employees whine about their co-payments going up $10. I pay nearly $1,000 a month out of pocket for my benefits, and I don’t whine about it.
On social issues, we have Santa Claus being barred from our public schools like in Saugus, honor rolls are discontinued at some schools so certain kids don’t “feel left out.” Astonishingly, students in some school districts can now get condoms, but they can’t drink a larger soda or get sunscreen from teachers without fear of a lawsuit. What alternate universe is this?
It’s time my fellow Americans and Cape Anners to stand up, be counted and push back on the pervasive wave of the progressive agenda that is eroding our nation every day. For those that want us to be the same as Europe, pack your bags and go instead of trying to convert America.
For those like Mr. Cook that aren’t happy with the state of affairs, how about working to effect change instead of sitting back and whining about it in the local paper.
Hope all are enjoying this great Cape Ann summer. But if it rains this week, it must be Fox News’ fault.
JIM FORDHAM
Thatcher Road, Rockport
