TAX DAY 1994 - Politicians play with ire - Gingrich , others stage stunts touting frugality
The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution - Saturday, April 16, 1994
Author: ALEXANDER, KATHEY, Kathey Alexander STAFF WRITER: STAFF
As procrastinators put the finishing touches on their tax returns Friday, politicians across the nation carried out carefully crafted stunts aimed at landing the votes of irate taxpayers.
In Roswell, U.S. House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) touted fiscal conservatism by staging a mock tea party on the banks of the Chattahoochee River . Conservative Republicans tossed empty produce crates into the river in symbolic re-enactment of the incident in Boston 221 years ago when colonists dressed as Indians dumped tea into the harbor in rebellion against the government.
More than 200 similar rallies occurred throughout the country, including Boston, San Francisco and Detroit , as candidates used the tax filing deadline as a forum for one-upsmanship on frugality.
“Americans literally work every day for months just to pay for a government that wastes their money,” said Gingrich , who is seeking re-election from the 6th district. “On the day taxes are due, we should remind you that you have every right as a citizen to protect yourself, your family and your wallet with your vote.”