Where were Tea Partiers during Bush administration?

USA TODAY OPINION
Letters to the editor

Recently, the NAACP accused the "Tea Party" of tolerating racists within the movement. Its resolution did not label the movement's ideals or all members to be racist. Despite the signs at Tea Party rallies, a protester spitting on an African-American leader, and another calling Rep. John Lewis the n-word, conservatives are running to the defense of the Tea Party (" 'Tea Party' defenders deny racism," News, Thursday).

I am not a race expert, but it seems undeniable that the Tea Party is racist, simply based on its inception. From my limited understanding of the movement, it was born after President Obama took office and focuses on limited government and reduced government spending. Did its members not notice President Bush's swelling of the government and excessive spending? Bush's outcomes were dismal, and we are still waiting on the return from Obama's policies.

The fact they stayed silent when the white president was in office makes African Americans skeptical and believe the real motive is that an African American is the president.

If Tea Partiers are not racist and want to draw the support of more African Americans, they need to answer the question: Where were they during the Bush years?

Alvin Glymph; Fayetteville, Ga.
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Tea Party not racist

The NAACP has said that the Tea Party is made up of a bunch of racists. The first lady, the president, the Democratic Party, the news media and pretty much anyone on the left seem to agree.

I am afraid that the shoe is on the proverbial other foot. I would ask that members of the NAACP and the news media play the rant of New Black Panther Party member Samir Shabazz, wherein he calls on the black community to "kill some crackers" and "some of their babies."

Tea Party members don't go around threatening to kill anyone, or their children.

Tea Partiers are not racists.

However, I and many, many other people are tired of being set upon for simply being white.

Jamie Guthrie; Pismo Beach, Calif.

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