Hoisted on their Own Petard?

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters today that the Tea Party movement is making some members of Congress mull retirement.

“Do I think the negative atmosphere that has been created by the Tea Party and by others certainly goes into the thinking of members? I think it does. I think you have to honestly point out that it does,” he told reporters Tuesday.

I want to speak to the characterization by Hoyer of "the negative atmosphere that has been created by the Tea Party." I am sure that this is something a lot of liberals feel. In fact, they probably can't for the life of themselves understand why the American people aren't cheering them on.

But one person's negative atmosphere is another persons Garden of Eden. As one blogger stated: "If negative means believing less government is better government as in the Constitution!!!"

Most TEA Party people have never come out and protested before. They vote, but they weren't active in politics. The Obama Administration's policies have created a negative atmosphere for job growth, personal income, access to medical treatment, the value of the dollar, etc. And that negative atmosphere has created a positive atmosphere for conservatives to come out and protest. It's a question of balance, and the Democrats so far overestimated what the last election meant, that they are now suffering the consequences. As the sign in the picture says: "We only want what is owed to us. Isn't that only fair?"

The atmosphere the Democrats are facing is not caused by the TEA Party, but simply a reflection of what the Democrats have created for themselves. As it were they are now being hoisted on their own petard.