Posted on 04/17/2009 3:19:47 AM PDT by Scanian
The Tax Day Tea Parties may have been a surprise to some conservatives, but the groundwell is very real.
A few months ago, as bailouts were booming and budgets were busting, I wondered how long it would take for conservatives to actively respond. Outside of the world of talk radio and opinion columns, I felt the American public needed a voice, a venue, and a vindication for the debt-multiplying and partisan-flaunting policies imposed upon us by our new president. To my dismay, however, my questions were largely ignored.
As one conservative colleague told me, protesting is "not something we do."
But yesterday I was never so happy to see a conservative proven wrong.
At the Tax Day Tea Party in Phoenix, thousands of protesters congregated on the lawn of the State Capitol. And as the event kicked off, humor played an important role in setting an energetic tone. Former Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth announced, "It's strange to see this many employed protesters." Noting the 5:30 p.m. start, one sign read, "I protest at night because I work during the day!" A mock teleprompter garnered laughs, as did a sign that read, "See what happens when you give a Junior Senator a credit card!"
But while smiles were on the mouths of Phoenix residents Wednesday night, frustration was in their eyes.
Their purposes varied, but their passions shone brightly. Many were outraged at the excessive spending on government programs, some detested the bank and business bailouts, and others simply proclaimed their love for liberty.
A concern for our nation's children also weighed heavily for many in the crowd. "I'm here for my children," a man with three young ones told me. "They don't deserve to be in debt from the failure of others.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
According to Cavuto and others at Fox it wasn’t just conservatives, it was people of all stripes who are “afraid” and worried about the future of the country.
The next ones should already be planned!!! (4th If July) If I had it my way these TP’s would be happening every month with ever increasing intensity.
We live overseas, but will be home this summer. Hope there are still some protests (tea parties) to go to. I think a couple million of us showing up at the WH might have a nice effect!
That’s true. The couple in front of me were naturalized Americans from Ethiopia who voted for Zero. Now they say they made a mistake. One biker who showed up voted for Clinton...twice.
Everybody had one thing in common; they were afraid, very afraid of what the debt is going to do to our country and angry at this administration. We, as libertarians and conservatives, have to find common ground with moderates in order to defeat this trip to socialism. Pocketbook issues are a start.
That's true. That's not why the media is pidgeon holing the movement tho.
bttt
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