"Regardless, as I posted before, the 'attraction' for a lot of the Tea Party joiners, seems to rest with a frustration with 'business as usual in Washington'...and the people being screwed, as a result of it, and the loss of our(perceived) freedoms."

When financial regulation was before Congress, I joined one of the Tea Party groups in the hope that I could find allies. They were not interested. They told me to "speak to Ron Paul's people." Then I asked them, wouldn't it be better to work at persuading both sides to work for their goals than just supporting Republicans. They said (paraphrase) that there was no such thing a good Democratic candidate. I pointed to the Dino in my own district. They ignored that.

Then I probed them to find one difference between theirs and the GOP congressional agenda. I could find none. Then I asked them outright, was there a difference. They admitted that there wasn't.

Anyone one joining the Tea Party to make a difference in Washington is being duped.

If you want change in Washington you can support the Dems and push change upon then at a glacial pace. Or you can Vote GOP, for changes which take us on the track of Reagan and Bush II.

The Dems do listen to their voters. But keep in mind that their voters are many times more diverse.