As they gain ground in multiple states to the point where they may actually be a viable third party in the next Presidential election, I find myself torn. I understand that if the Tea Party gets the requisite votes (to be fair, I have only heard of them actively pursuing them in some regions) to appear on the Ballet, there is a real chance that they could siphon some votes away from the GOP, which would basically put Obama easily in the White House again.

I have a little extra money this year that I was considering donating to the political process. It won't dent the budgets of the Dems or the GOP, but I'm guessing the Tea Party can use every cent it gets.

If I donate money to the Tea Party, but vote Democratic, am I simply being creative in how I vote with my pocketbook, or am I cynically abusing the two party system?