RICHLAND -- When a group of Tri-Citians gathers in Howard Amon Park to talk politics Saturday, their beverage of choice won't be tea.
A new Coffee Party movement will debut on the Richland park's lawn at 1 p.m. and offer those frustrated with partisanship in government a place to sit back and discuss solutions with calm voices and open minds.
Coffee Party organizer Timothy Vaden of Richland said the group formed in reaction to the vocal Tea Party movement that has had conservatives expressing fears about big government and deficit spending for more than a year.
"We are not the opposite or meant to compete with the Tea Party, but to give people who are upset with the current problems in Washington, D.C., an alternative," Vaden said.
The Coffee Partiers embrace a work-within-the-system approach to fixing government's problems.
"We formed to recognize that the federal government is not inherently bad," Vaden said. "It's just not functioning at the moment. The solution is not to destroy it or take it away, but that a properly functioning federal government is very beneficial."
The movement makes its national debut Saturday after having gathered more than 100,000 fans nationwide on Facebook.
The group's mission statement says its goal is to give a voice to those who want to see bipartisan cooperation in government.
Vaden said that while progressive, the movement is nonpartisan and is not affiliated with the Democratic Party.
"Really, at the moment we're trying to get together some like-minded individuals upset with the way things are, but without wanting to go in and stop all federal government legislation," he said. "We want to find ways to work to the benefit of all."
That includes making sure social programs aren't thrown by the wayside, but are made to work efficiently and without wasting money.
Vaden said the event Saturday will be a low-key discussion -- not a political rally -- and that anyone with an open mind is welcome to come and join.
"It is to our benefit to talk to people of different opinions so we can have real discussions," he said.
The Coffee Party is from 1 to 3 p.m. Coffee will be served.
-- On the net: coffeepartyusa.com
-- Michelle Dupler: 360-753-0862; mdupler@tricityherald.com
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