The media appears to be completely enamored with the "Tea Party" and I can't figure out which is the tail and which is the dog.  When one digs beneath the surface, it becomes clear (based on the funding sources) that this is hardly a grassroots organization formed by like minded people for the purpose of affecting change for the common good.  The genesis of and funding for this concept is from wealthy interests intent on disrupting the debate on issue counter to theirs.  Everyone has the right to voice their opinion, but there is a degree of inauthenticity here that would seem to negate the value of this voice in this case.

This is not to say that there are individuals that are passionate about what they believe the "movement" is about.  Anger is certainly real and it isn't limited to those mostly white older men of comfortable financial status that make up the majority of the demographics of the tea party. 

Unfortunately for others who are trying to get attention on their issues,  the tea party drama seems to be stealing their thunder.  In an article mentioned in the forum on immigration, NPR remarked that,  "Media coverage focused almost exclusively on the Tea Partiers, which infuriated advocates of an overhaul."I imagine these are not the only people frustratted by the lack of coverage of their cause because of the media frenzy to report on the tea party.  For the financiers of the tea party, it has been money well spent.

Politico just ran a interesting article about the tea party and the exaggerated importance they have come to attain.  http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36185.html.

  It is worth a read.