JACKSONVILLE — In February, while standing in the checkout line at Rite Aid in Wilmington, I spotted a magazine I'd never seen before: a glossy publication celebrating the growth and success of the Tea Party.
I picked it up and started flipping pages. Every single story appeared to be either a breathless tribute to conservative politicians or an attack on the policies of the Democratic Party.
I remember thinking it was odd - and a little disturbing - to see a right-wing publication featured so prominently at the Rite Aid checkout.
Then, last week at Rite Aid, among the latest blockbuster movies, I saw a DVD with a cartoon of President Obama on the cover and the title I Want Your Money.
I picked up the box and discovered that the video, a political documentary from a company named RG Entertainment, is intended as an entertaining conservative rebuttal of the President's policies, particularly his fiscal policies and health care reform legislation.
Wow! Grab a Coke and some popcorn. Or maybe some tea.
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Here in America, freedom of speech is a cherished value. If the owners of the Rite Aid corporation - or individual store owners - want to push the Tea Party agenda by hawking right-wing publications and videos along with laxatives, vitamins, and cosmetics, that's their privilege. And I'm sure that for supporters of the Tea Party agenda, these materials were very appealing.
But for most residents of Windham County, Vermont (which is, after all, a predominantly liberal and Democratic community), such items are likely to be a bit disturbing, even offensive.
I did some research into I Want Your Money. Produced and directed by conservative filmmaker Ray Griggs, the video is a collection of right-wing talking points, mainly expressed in interview clips from Republican Party politicians and pundits including Newt Gingrich, Gary Bauer, and the foul-mouthed radio talk show host Michael Reagan.
I also visited the video's website and checked some of its claims on FactCheck.org and MediaMatters.com. It became clear that most of the “information” in I Want Your Money is based on spin, bias, data manipulation, and outright falsehoods.
These are all, of course, the tools of a political agenda, and every politician - right and left - uses them. I don't question the usefulness of the tactic, or the right of Ray Griggs to make and market his video.
But I do question Rite Aid's decision to offer it for sale, especially since I didn't see any videos promoting the President's policies, or supporting progressive positions.
It certainly appears that Rite Aid - or at least the Rite Aid in my neighborhood - is interested in promoting a political agenda that is in direct opposition to the interests and beliefs of at least half of its customers.
I can't understand why a store would do this. Who at Rite Aid thinks that a local drug store is a good place to recruit support for the Tea Party? Does Rite Aid actually want to alienate half of its customers? How is this a good business decision?
The sad part, for me, is that I actually like this particular store and the people who work there. I'm happy to have a convenient drug store and a knowledgeable pharmacist.
But when I see these kinds of materials for sale in a place where I expect to be treated with courtesy, I feel disrespected and bullied - and I don't want to go back.