“We Are The World” (Tea Party Edition)

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Last month Mother Jones spoke with Lloyd Marcus, the black Tea Party musician who’s come to enjoy rock-star status at Tea Party rallies, thanks to hits like “Twenty Ten” and “We the People.” We had a nice conversation, but one thing I somehow neglected to ask him was whether he had any plans, in the near future, to put together a charity album modeled on 1980s pop ballads like “We Are the World” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Now we have our answer:

In an event that’s one part “American Idol” audition and one part “We Are The World” recording session, conservative singer-songwriter Lloyd Marcus is planning to bring together the musical voices of Tea Partiers from across the country to sing the movement’s unofficial anthem, “Take Back America,” on a charity album to benefit the families of soldiers.

Marcus says he’s hoping to get big shots like SNL star Victoria Jackson and Time contributor Ted Nugent on board, which, if Nugent and Jackson’s recent appearances are any indication, should turn out swimmingly. But this is mostly about the little guys, like the mostly unknown artists we featured here back in March.

Anyway, because it’s Monday, here’s a clip of Michael Jackson and Tipper Gore singing “We Are the World” together on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Simpler times:

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Investigative journalism, like the story you just read, takes time to do. Months of research. Weeks of writing, editing, and fact checking—and putting together the photography, art, video, and audio that tell the stories in a new way, illuminating new perspectives and voices

We can afford to take that time because we don’t report to an oligarch or corporation with a special agenda. We report to you, and for you. That’s why we unabashedly pursue the truth and relentlessly shine a light into the darkness.

In this month’s Summer Membership Drive, we’ve got to raise $200,000 to support more crucial investigations. This is a pivotal moment in our nation, with democracy on the line, and we can only do this work because readers like you step up. Every donation, of any amount, makes a difference here. We cannot do this work without you.

So, we’re asking: Will you support independent journalism that demands those in power answer for their actions?

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