It is our differences that make us stronger. This is true across the U.S., Maine and even in my small town of Sabattus (also the home town of my friend and fellow Political Animal Scott Lansley). For those of us who are politically active and passionate about politics and policy we often rely on those with opposing views to keep us honest and remind us why we feel the way we do.

I don’t have a problem with the efforts of the Tea Party movement, I applaud any individual or organization who tries to rally for a cause. As someone who is largely partisan (supporting the far left of the Democratic Party), I have more in common with the efforts (not the beliefs) and the drive of Tea Party activists than I do with most “independent” or nonpolitical folks. I understand the passion that runs through the blood of Tea Party loyalists.

There are times when I wish the Democratic Party had a far-left leaning wing (like the Republicans have with the Tea Party) that better represents my progressive, liberal stance. Perhaps the most liberal, progressive mind in Washington is Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, even he knows he’s too left to be a Democrat. Isn’t that really what the Tea Party is, the far right of the Republican party? A recent study suggests this to be the case.

Tea Party claims that it represents all political parties and backgrounds appears to be grossly exaggerated. David E. Campbell, an associate professor of political science at Notre Dame, and Robert D. Putnam, a professor of public policy at Harvard recently released a study where by they interviewed (over the course of five years) 3,000 people, asking them about their political identity.

If the research is correct (and I believe it is) the Tea Party has a significant problem, it doesn’t represent a cross section of America, not even close. Membership is overwhelmingly white, it had a low regard for immigrants and blacks well before Barack Obama was president. Tea Party members are socially conservative (such as opposing abortion and marriage equality). The strongest predictor of being a Tea Party supporter today (other than being Republican) is a desire to see religion play a prominent role in politics. Tea Party leaders suggest smaller government or responsible government drives their efforts, yet rank-and-file folks are more interested in issues related to morality and increasing the role of church and religion in politics and policy.

It is not all that unusual for a political movement to go through some transition. However, after just a couple of years the Tea Party Express is already beginning to see cracks. The infiltration of social conservatives is shifting the focus of the movement away from its big three issues: fiscal responsibility, limited government, and an unlimited free market society. Despite any fracturing and mixed- messaging, the Tea Party movement should be respected and its message should be heard. Agree with its platform or not, the frustrations of its members are real.

On fiscal and economic issues, there is an opportunity to learn and implement its ideas. All too often in this political climate we immediately turn away and ignore the ideas of our political opponents, it would be a mistake for progressives and Democrats to immediately shun Tea Party ideas. But its positive contribution ends there.

When it comes to equal rights and embracing all individuals no matter their creed, sexual orientation or background, our nation has made great strides (yet we still have work to do). The social conservative side of the Tea Party should be watched and its motives questioned.

The Tea Party movement largely consists of angry Republicans who feel let down by their own party and independents who drank the Kool-Aid and believe our government is bloated, taxes are bad, and the Bible should dictate all policy and law. The heart and soul of the Tea Party has more in common with the Bible belt of the 1950s and 1960s than with today’s America. It is incumbent upon progressives and Democrats to take a cue from the grassroots efforts of the Tea Party and rally our own troops to save our county and to keep us from losing decades of social and economic progress. This is the time.