Is the Tea Party mostly retired people, rich people and unemployed people?

I was watching the news. Everyday the steps of Washington has Tea Party people out there clamouring for a Government shut down. So I started to wonder who were these people? Why do they have so much time on their hands. They seem to have all this time to dedicate to their cause. Many look old enough to be retirees and I don’t think I recall seeing anyone who wasn’t caucasian in the mix.
I don’t know too many people who would ever use vacation time or take unpaid days to go protest, but then most of the people I know live pay check to paycheck in this economy and wouldn’t risk losing their jobs. And those who are financially better off still don’t want to leave their jobs for fear that their job may not exist tomorrow and lay offs are around the corner.
So who are these people and what is their real agenda?
I just really what to know what is their back ground and where are they headed. I don’t necessarily feel they have the nations best interest at heart.
Are they the republican hippies of today without the marijuana?