Commentary
MILT THOMAS
We at Inside Vero had asked for a Tea Party explanation of the term “limited government” and appreciate local Tea Party officials for providing one. Although it describes limited government in the broadest sense, this publication and the people who read it, are concerned about how that applies to our local government, just as all issues presented in this publication, regardless of their origin nationally, regionally or statewide, are focused on the effects they have on residents and citizens of Indian River County.
Many issues brought to a head in the recent Vero Beach budgeting process concern what government activities and services are affected by the limited government principle. I for one, agree there are limits to what government can and should do, but citizens and taxpayers may vary widely in their interpretation of those limits. Since we live in a democracy, government needs to take those interpretations into consideration if it is to be a government of, by and for the people.
To treat the limited government concept fairly, we invite a further clarification of how that term can be defined in relation to the real life situations we face here in Indian River County. For instance, indiscriminate budget cutting is no better than out-of-control government spending if it does not serve the citizens who want to preserve the constitutional guarantee of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To the people who passionately supported maintaining Crestlawn Cemetery and keeping an animal control officer, clear-cutting through the structure of government was like clear cutting your backyard — in the interest of eliminating weeds you destroy the beauty that makes your home so special.
So let’s continue this discussion, but apply it to real life here locally and not broad national concepts.
Indian River Guardian 
Great article, Milt. I had wanted to ask the same question about how the bloated federal government (I agree that it is)) translates to our city government. Does the same philosophy even apply here? Our local city government has already been honed to the bone. I just don’t agree that the Tea Party principles/tactics are relevant to our situation.
Perhaps Toby HIll does not like to live in a City that has such nice amenities like well manicured parks and low crime rates due to superb police and Sheriff’s departments. Ok, I know. He probably does not exactly live in the City- perhaps Indian River Shores but….I’ll bet you that when he travels he tells every one he lives in Vero Beach.
In my opinion, Toby and his gang of five or six guys are not necessarily representing the Tea Party as it was meant to be.Most people that involved themselves with their local Tea Parties did so to have a voice at the Federal level.
Most folks here in Indian River County enjoy easy access to their local elected officials whereas that is not the case when it comes to their Federal elected officials, thus Tea Parties all over the country were born. They were meant to give people more voice at the National level.
The Tea Party dug its own grave because they have been proved at the Federal, State and local level to not have factual basis for their wild claims. Also, the American public has tired of complainers who are not able to present factual evidence or propose alternative solutions. The results of the last election show clearly that the Tea Party movement is a relic of the past.
Milt Thomas is absolutely right the time is long past for our local Tea Party advocates to clearly spelll out what they want in terms of “limited government” and then we can have a mature debate on the issues
one by one.
Thus, far our local Tea Party seems to operate by sheer intimidation. They packed the COVB chambers and the County Commission chambers so that the citizens of the county could not have a fair debate about the common sense idea of joining the Seven50 coalition so that we can learn from the experiences of other governments. Fear of hearing reasonable solutions is the basis for the local Tea Party in their continued successful attempts to shiut down civil discussion of 21st century iduea.
Great insight, Pat. I couldn’t agree more.