Anti-Federalism - Tea Party Movement

Dr. Korfhage mentioned in class a similarity that I found quite interesting. The Anti-Federalist movement of the late 18th century held many beliefs similar to those of the Tea Party movement which just appeared in 2009. The most basic comparison to be made between the two movements is a desire to weaken the central government of the United States. I believe this comparison can reveal a lot about the current state of our country as compared to its state in the decades preceding the revolutionary war. We live in a turbulent time in our nation's history,  and the media certainly has no problem with portraying our economies current state. War debts plagued the early United States just as the national deficit does today. After reading the vague philosophies of the Tea Party and Anti-Federalist movements I've concluded that a rise in negative media corresponds with Anti-Federalism in one form or another. Events such as Shays' rebellion, a national deficit, and tensions between larger and smaller along with Northern and Southern states undoubtedly were extremely popular topics for pamphlets and orations throughout the early United States. The stock market meltdown of 2008, the Iraq and Afghanistan war, and corruption among our leaders are the modern day equivalent of those early plights, transmitted through a different medium. Media in both times seem to give off an aura of, "the end is near." Would you agree with me that negative portrayals in the media have correlated with the rise in Anti-Federalism in the United States since the beginning? If so do you think its reasonable that media should have such a profound effect on the politics of our nation? This country was founded on beliefs of Anti-Federalism against the tyranny of Great Britain but how much of that Anti-Federalism stemmed from early propaganda and the fourth estate in general?

Why Support Britain?

Has anybody else noticed that our in-class discussions seem to revolve in support of Great Britains taxes, acts, and political agendas preceding the revolutionary war? I just find it interesting to see that the classroom filled with quote on quote "rebellious" teenagers would take the side of the nation that threatened our democracy with oppression centuries ago. Many of us, including me, have parents, grand-parents, or other relatives who immigrated to the United States seeking, "The American Dream." That elusive dream (in my mind) is the search of opportunity, working hard and being rewarded, and fundamentally, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideals seem key to the fight for freedom from the British during the revolutionary era. Its true, taxes were much higher in london than they were in Boston, but does that justify them to the colonists? A common Enlightenment philosophy that we learned about tells us to doubt everything and to me it seems as though this philosophy goes part and parcel with the colonies' rebellions. I'm not trying to play some kind of guilt card at you guys, I must admit that during the readings its pretty hard to deny that the colonists resented everything Britain did, and sometimes, it seems, just for the sake of resenting her. I just wanted to know why people think it is that in this day and age we are so quick to support what our ancestors so eagerly renounced. Were the colonists truly blinded by their own cause? Too overly-zealous to admit that the oppression imposed on them could be justified? Does some greater influence inject a desire for order and peace rather than rebellion in our lives? Or do I completely misunderstand people's takes on this subject during our class discussions? Let me know.