By Caitlin Taylor

Apr 15, 2009 8:09am

The Note, 4/15/09: Tea Time — Conservative grassroots flex organizing muscle on Tax Day

By RICK KLEIN The future of the conservative movement is now. (Unless, of course, it isn’t.) There are plenty of reasons not to read too much into the nationwide “tea party” protests fanning out across the country Wednesday. Nobody likes paying taxes. This is no Obama army. Maybe the whole experiment isn’t as organic as the White House vegetable garden, or as purebred as Bo Obama. But the populist anger that’s spilling over in a dramatic, public way on Tax Day is the kind of event that politicians — of both parties — brush off at their own peril. This has the potential to be a national event that matches a political moment — an outlet for anger that’s only beginning to bubble up (and, in truth, is still a long way from finding its targets). (Yes, they got help from some big boys and girls. But if this has all been cooked up by Newt Gingrich, Dick Armey, and some media friends, what have they been saving their vast organizing firepower for?) This is more libertarian than Republican in its goals, but the Republican Party may already be at a stage where any activity is good activity. If nothing else, the tea parties will provide sustained images of individuals questioning President Obama’s leadership, in an area of potential vulnerability — taxing and spending — for Democrats. (If you don’t think the White House is aware and wary, pay attention to the Tax Day events of its own.) “Has the right found the makings of its very own MoveOn.org? Or is this another example of strong but narrow organizing by a dedicated band of activists — a la the Ron Paul presidential campaign?” we ask. Dick Armey stakes a claim, in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed: “Who is the leader of the conservative movement? Is it Michael Steele at the Republican National Committee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, or even Rush Limbaugh? While they all may be movement leaders, today grass-roots activists across the country will answer the question — the taxpayer tea party is the movement’s leader.” “The tea parties are the shot across the bow as taxpayers defend themselves against out-of-control government spending,” Armey writes. Counters Karl Frisch: “Conservatives planning anti-Obama ‘tea party’ demonstrations across the country have found a way around this once-daunting organizer’s dilemma: Fox News.” This may be unprecedented for the right: “The nationwide ‘tea parties’ scheduled for today — massive anti-tax and anti-spending demonstrations timed for tax day — are developing into a nationwide test of online organizing among fiscal conservatives,” per ABC News. “If crowds approach their predicted levels, it will be an impressive display of grassroots activism — on a scale rarely, if ever, demonstrated by conservatives.” “How the events play out will be a telling barometer,” Washingtonpost.com’s Chris Cillizza writes. “If these tea parties go off without a hitch and are well-attended (and, as importantly, well covered by the media) then Republicans have something on which to build. If the coverage shows a serious of sparsely attended events or covers controversial statements made by attendees, the tea parties might backfire.” Remember, while the protesters shout: It’s one thing to be mad as hell. It’s another to decide what it means to not be taking it anymore. Hovering over the day: What comes next? “Organizers say they have gathered numerous e-mails from supporters who could be mobilized for future purposes,” Amanda Carpenter writes in the Washington Times. “The tea party is the latest example of conservative groups objecting to the Obama administration’s spending and tax plans” These are not GOP events — but there’s a welcome alignment for party leaders who are looking for signs of life. “Essentially leaderless, lacking a cohesive message and fighting among themselves, Republicans appear to be in disarray, raising the question: Has the party bottomed out yet?” Jay Newton-Small writes for Time. “A not-so-silent majority of Americans increasingly feel as though their hard earned dollars have been wasted on Wall Street and Detroit and there’s no end in sight,” Matt Mackowiak writes in an Austin American-Statesman op-ed. “The coming revolution is akin to ‘Fight Club,’ the 1999 film that follows the struggles of day to day life for a regular guy who starts an underground fight club as radical and not terribly productive psychotherapy.” Not too early for victory declarations: “Exhibit A that today’s Tea Parties are a success before they begin: They have drawn the adolescent derision of hateful critics, who, through envy or political bigotry, have chosen to bash them,” Mark Davis writes in a Dallas Morning News column. Careful what you wish for: “The good news for Republicans is that, while the Republican Party flounders in its response to the Obama presidency and its programs, millions of Americans are getting organized on their own. The bad news is that those Americans, despite their opposition to President Obama’s policies, aren’t especially friendly to the GOP,” Glenn Harlan Reynolds writes in The Wall Street Journal. “Plastic populism,” counters Thomas Frank. “The ideology will be strictly Manichean: ‘government’ and ‘freedom’ in a zero-sum cage match, light versus darkness, with a victory for one being automatically a setback for the other. Other than that, the tea partiers’ stance on the issues is a little mysterious. But outrage is outrage, the party organizers probably figure; who will know the difference?” Why there’s no reason for panic at the White House: “It’s difficult to determine, however, where the hype ends and whether the parties suggest any growing discontent with Obama’s policies. According to Gallup’s daily tracking numbers, more than 60 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s job performance and a growing number are hopeful about the economy,” The Hill’s Ian Swanson writes. But the numbers aren’t cooperating with the White House message machine on Tax Day: “Retail sales dropped sharply in March, the government reported, and wholesale prices fell steeply. Both pieces of data underscore the hard slog the nation faces to emerge from its deep recession and the limitations of more optimistic talk from Washington. The stock market fell 2 percent, as measured by the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index,” Neil Irwin and Ylan Q. Mui write in The Washington Post. From the White House Wednesday: Marking Tax Day in a different way. “President Obama will deliver remarks about restoring fairness to the tax code and providing tax relief to working families,” per the press office. ABC’s Sunlen Miller reports that the president will point out that “95 percent of working Americans are now receiving a tax cut in their paychecks.” Also emerging from the White House: “The Obama administration is drawing up plans to disclose the conditions of the 19 biggest banks in the country, according to senior administration officials, as it tries to restore confidence in the financial system without unnerving investors,” David E. Sanger and Eric Dash write. “While all of the banks are expected to pass the tests, some are expected to be graded more highly than others. Officials have deliberately left murky just how much they intend to reveal — or to encourage the banks to reveal — about how well they would weather difficult economic conditions over the next two years.” Look who the president is jousting with: “He defended himself against those who accuse him of bankrupting the nation and those who argue that he should be more aggressive about taking over banks and spending even more money,” per The New York Times’ Peter Baker. “I know there’s a criticism out there that my administration has been spending with reckless abandon, pushing a liberal social agenda while mortgaging our children’s future,” the president said. “There’s been a tendency to spend a lot of time scoring political points instead of rolling up sleeves to solve real problems.” ABC’s Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller: “The ‘glimmers of hope’ that are beginning to be seen in the economy, President Obama warned today, does not mean that the nation is ‘out of the woods just yet.’” “In a 45-minute status report on the economy given before labor leaders, grassroots and advocacy groups, religious leaders, local elected and students at Georgetown University today, the president balanced painting an optimistic picture on the health of the economy — spurred by what he claims are his administration’s efforts — with the likely rocky road ahead to economic recovery.” “In making the speech, the president acknowledged his failure to articulate a larger economic vision, saying, ‘many Americans are simply wondering how all of our different programs and policies fit together,’ ” Jonathan Weisman reports in The Wall Street Journal. Some top-line back-up for the Obama push: “Most Americans say they’re glad Big Government is back to help through hard times. But they aren’t sure they want it to stay,” per USA Today’s Susan Page, writing up the new USA Today/Gallup numbers. But: “By 3-to-1, those surveyed say government’s expansion should be cut back when the economic crisis is over.” Think we might hear about Tim Geithner’s taxes today? “The Treasury secretary, who oversees the IRS, initially didn’t pay all his taxes. Neither did five other top nominees for the Obama administration or their spouses. Now, as tonight’s tax deadline looms, some Americans are rhetorically asking: What would have happened to me if I had done the same thing?” Tom Hamburger and Ralph Vartabedian write in the Los Angeles Times. Annals of left-leaning angst: “When will President Obama fight, and when will he fold?” Ruth Marcus writes in her Washington Post column. “That’s not entirely clear — and I’m beginning to worry that there may be a little too much presidential inclination to crumple. For all the chest-thumping about making hard choices and taking on entrenched interests, there has been disturbingly little evidence of the new president’s willingness to do that when it discomfits his allies.” More from the left: “Democratic senators are contemplating a variety of metrics that could be used to measure progress and ultimately form the basis for declaring victory and withdrawing” from Afghanistan, The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports. “They include measuring civilian casualties; the strength of the Afghan national army and police force; the decrease in poppy exports and the increase of non-poppy agriculture.” Al Franken sure seems like he thinks he’ll be a senator soon: “He has studied the experiences of other celebrities who have gone to the Senate — Bill Bradley and Hillary Rodham Clinton — and said he used this time to speak to Mrs. Clinton and her first chief of staff, Tamera Luzzatto,” Adam Nagourney reports in The New York Times. “It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to,” Franken said in an interview. “That’s why I’ve been sort of keeping my head down in this period and trying to do the work. I’ve been trying to do mainly Minnesota media and turn down requests for national media, especially national TV.” (He said in an interview with The New York Times . . . ) DNC pressure: “National Democrats are stepping up the pressure to bring an end to the disputed Minnesota Senate race, launching a radio ad Wednesday that urges Sen. Norm Coleman to ‘stop putting his political ambition ahead of what’s right for Minnesota,’ ” per Politico’s Jonathan Martin. “The DNC-funded commercial, to air on news stations in the Twin Cities, represents the most aggressive intervention yet by the national parties in the protracted battle between Coleman and Al Franken.” Yes, it’s really this close in NY-20: “Kirsten Gillibrand gets a vote in the U.S. Senate, but Republicans are hoping to invalidate her ballot in the race that will decide her replacement in the House of Representatives,” per the Albany Times Union. “Poll watchers for Republican congressional candidate Jim Tedisco challenged Gillibrand’s absentee ballot when it showed up in the queue during counting in Columbia County. The campaign worker argued the senator who splits her time between Greenport and Washington, D.C. was in the county on Election Day and should have voted in person.” (Remember that Tedisco couldn’t vote for himself — unlike Gillibrand, he doesn’t live in the district.) The Kicker: “Michelle’s garden is in danger.” — President Obama, on Portuguese water dogs’ penchant for tomatoes. “Not in my bed.” — The president, asked where Bo Obama will be sleeping. Don’t miss “Top Line,” ABCNews.com’s new daily political Webcast, hosted by Rick Klein and David Chalian, at noon ET. Wednesday’s guests: Ana Marie Cox of Air America and The Daily Beast, and Katie Favazza, of the Web site Smart Girl Politics. Follow The Note on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thenote For up-to-the-minute political updates check out The Note’s blog . . . all day every day:

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User Comments

These “tea parties” are less a wave of populist anger at Obama than they are a bizarre and potentially dangerous push for conservative insurrection by none other than Fox News.
Didn’t they call Bush bashing “treason” only a few months ago? What about this incendiary political stunt?
http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by: matt | April 15, 2009, 8:29 am 8:29 am

“By 3 to 1, those surveyed say government’s expansion should be cut back after the economic crisis is over” yeah right, like thats gonna happen! I can’t wait until Obama introduces the “No term limit” bill for the presidency. It might not happen for awhile but it will happen.

Posted by: notafan | April 15, 2009, 8:37 am 8:37 am

Posted by: GOP08_DOA | April 15, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am

What so Conservatives, who generally are more well off, statistically speaking than Democrats, want to no longer pay their taxes? Why? Democrat in White House? Black man in the White House? Is this Patriotic? Is this the American thing to do?
A sizeable portion of the Conservative Republican Party has gone OFF of the Deep End…

Posted by: noneyah | April 15, 2009, 8:40 am 8:40 am

Rick Klein, another Obama toe licker/puppet is acting as if this is solely a political move,and that people arent actually worried, and angered over Obamas DRUNKEN SPENDING and taxation. Quit politicizing the event. There is no grade to be given out here for attendance, or lack of. What a complete loser for a journalist.

Posted by: Badger1 | April 15, 2009, 8:41 am 8:41 am

THE TAXMAN COMETH…
Why just complain about paying taxes when you can SING about complaining about paying taxes?!?
Watch “Goin’ to the C.P.A. (The Tax Song)” at
parodyandson.blogspot.com

Posted by: Bruce | April 15, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am

matt, so now you don’t want people to have the right to assemble peacefully? All you lefties, including ABC, should really find a country that forbids that. Cuba will be open for business soon. Why not move there and leave us freedom loving people alone. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, FREEDOM!!!! Any idea what that means? I’m not saying all who don’t agree with the tea parties should move, just those who don’t think people have a right to hold them as Matt and ABC clearly do.

Posted by: notafan | April 15, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am

these tea partys are dem, rep, and independents who are sick of the left and right pretty much all of goverment get it . id like to see a new party rise because the left and right just dont get it .

Posted by: natale from mass. | April 15, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am

The Boston Tea Party arose from two issues confronting the British Empire in 1773: the financial problems of the British East India Company, and an ongoing dispute about the extent of Parliament’s sovereignty over the British American colonies. The North ministry’s attempt to resolve these issues produced a showdown that would eventually result in revolution.

Posted by: jane | April 15, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am

Five people show up for an anti-war rally and there are 12 reporters and as many video cameras on it. This is the largest tax protest in the history of this country — and you call it dangerous. I hope so. I hope it threatens the status quo.
Obama thinks that to put money into the ceonomy, he can take money OUT of it, then put it back in and TAX IT as it goes through.
Only a Liberal would try it and only a Liberal would buy it.
MAN, 2010′s gonna be a good year.

Posted by: libsrfools | April 15, 2009, 9:01 am 9:01 am

The right of peaceful protest is guaranteed in the Constitution. Deal with it. Or better yet, stop behaving like servile sheep and ask yourself if spending more money since Jan. 20 than Bush spent in the previous EIGHT YEARS is a good idea in a RECESSION. When did government become part of ANY solution, much less THE solution?
This was a great country. I’ll sure miss my rights.

Posted by: Dave | April 15, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am

I don’t really understand the way Libertarians think. They want small government. They’d prefer private corporations take over responsibility for government duties. We all know what private corporations want. Profits. They want this over everything else. Too bad we can’t go into a parallel universe and see what libertarian govt would be like. I do not believe in utopia

Posted by: Bob | April 15, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am

Natale……That has been my opinion for the last 40 years. This country needs another party to keep in check the extremism we have seen by the other two parties. It seems in order to be part of the those parties you must vote the way you are told or get out. I don’t need party elders telling me how to cast my votes.
In the new Obama presidency the people were told that his administration would be transparent, so where did all the money go? Before congress passes any more spending bills, I want accountability for what has already been given away.

Posted by: vnvet69 | April 15, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am

these tea partys are dem, rep, and independents who are sick of the left and right pretty much all of goverment get it . id like to see a new party rise because the left and right just dont get it .
___________________________
The Tea Parties were organized by one of the most right wing activists groups out there, FreedomWorks. Their leader is former US House Majority Leader, D. Armey.
The only “grassroots” related part of this is what the protestors will be standing on.
Armey has a very clear agenda and it’s best you don’t challenge it; especially if you are a woman.
“I’m so d*&n glad you can never be my wife because I surely wouldn’t have to listen to that prattle from you every day,” Armey told Walsh, editor-in-chief of Salon.com. “That’s what I’m talking about — she’s making a political malarkey here.”

Posted by: Paige | April 15, 2009, 9:15 am 9:15 am

Not a peep from the teabaggers when Bush was running the country into the ground and into the red. Not a GOP event my butt… These are the 25% hardcore Bush supporters who loath the Obama administration for any number of reasons. They scream for impeachment even though the majority are of them are getting middle class TAX BREAKS!
—————————————
Again, yet another example of fact free libby puke so common on these blogs. Many conservatives had two major issues with the Bush administration….too much spending and the complete and total disregard for the southern border. Had you ever actually listened to talk radio you would have heard this mentioned time and time again.
So what have we now? Spending that is like Bush on steroids! This dufus of a president we have now has produced or proposed more deficit spending than from George Washington to George W. Bush combined. An estimated $9.3 trillion in deficits over the next ten years as reported by the Congressional Budget Office (not exactly a conservative group). Or an estimated interest only payment of $806 billion annually…..double the Bush deficits we complained about. So, apparently you choose to ignore facts, or facts are meaningless to you.
You also mention a middle class tax cut. What middle class tax cut do you refer to? I am assuming you refer to the whopping $13 a week tax “rebate”? Check some facts again, this is NO tax cut. Please refer to the newly released withholding tables versus the tax tables. With a little mathematics applied, and possibly the help of a calculator, you would discover that you must give the money back at the end of the year. Ummm, not exactly a tax cut.
Sorry to overwhelm some of you with actual facts. Now, back to your libby rhetoric, and please pass the Kool Aid!

Posted by: TxBoB | April 15, 2009, 9:20 am 9:20 am

President Obama’s an eloquent speaker and spends lots of time telling us about his hopes and dreams…but there are two major flaws to his vision: attitudes of the rich and lack of support from other nations. His plan to place a higher tax burden on the rich (aka, those making $250,000 or more per year) will only cause a rise in prices for goods and services to compensate; plus there will be layoffs to lower over-head costs and force fewer workers to do more with less. Simply put, the President cannot legislate attitude. As for other nations (as we do live in a “Global Economy”), I don’t see our trade partners loosening trade restrictions or our government increasing ours to their standards (which would be counter-productive to the theory of increasing economic growth). I realize that since he got his Stimulus Packaged signed into law to pay back political favors (and solidify funding for the next 2-3 election cycles), he has switched from the scare tactics to hope and optimism. Since only a small portion of the stimulus money will get paid out this year, what is he basing his “optimism” on? The more things change, the more they stay the same!

Posted by: Gary | April 15, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am

‘‘It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.’’
— Justice Robert H. Jackson

Posted by: Mark | April 15, 2009, 9:24 am 9:24 am

Way to Go ABC News for showing your true colors.

Posted by: Brandon Lancaster | April 15, 2009, 9:24 am 9:24 am

PLEASE ABC News-cover all news worthy stories, such as the tax day tea parties. These are American protestors, not just republicans. We are dreadfully worried about taxing our future,right into socialism. Viewers, try watching Lou Dobbs, CNN and Glenn Beck, Fox News, and of course Charlie Gibson of ABC. I view all 3, but compare the how and why of the coverage. Give all a chance and see what you learn about taxation, history, and the constitution.

Posted by: Sally | April 15, 2009, 9:29 am 9:29 am

We are dreadfully worried about taxing our future,right into socialism.
_________________________________
Were you worried in the 90′s?
Did you protest during the Bush administration since the you mentioned concern about the constitution?
Which of Obama’s policies are “socialism” and why?

Posted by: Paige | April 15, 2009, 9:33 am 9:33 am

So now what? All the right-wing whack-job, Limbaugh-Loving, Hannity-Handmaidens are becoming Libertarians? What a joke. Neo-Clowns, your 15 minutes of fame are up. If I was king, all right-wing clownservatives would be put in concentration camps.

Posted by: Carl Spackler | April 15, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am

I no longer care to watch abc news ect,It woulod be perfect in Natzi Germany in 1942 .Its out dated now.They should go to Iran or Russia and take that stupid President with them.

Posted by: Joeray | April 15, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am

The Tea Parties are a Joke just like the Rest of the Republican Party this isnt about Taxes this is about their Sore Losers and They think this will get their Party Back Meanwhile half the Country is LAUGING AT THEM!

Posted by: Angie In PA | April 15, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am

One characteristic of conservatives is their inability to make connections. The same people who are writing comments complainng about lack of protection against pirate, lack of control over our borders, etc. also complain about taxes, apparently unaware that effective actions in any of these areas cost money.
Yes, just throwing money at a problem will not solve it if the money is spent by incompetents (see FEMA under Bush) but since Reagan we have been starving every function of government except the Pentagon, and I would argue that even there many of our problems in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in trying to fight a war on a shoe string budget.
My issue is that the same people behind the teabag movement have systematically shifted the burden of taxation from the wealthy (individuals and corporations) to middle income people.
Folks, Limbaugh, O’Reilly, and company are wealthy and would cut programs which would help you rather than lose a nickel of their millions.

Posted by: Jim_H | April 15, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am

C’mon, conservative whack-jobs! Don’t disappoint us with your loonie-ness. Not one of you has posted a “teleprompter-tizzy” yet today. Finally losing ALL your marbles?

Posted by: Carl Spackler | April 15, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am

My brother is as vehement a Libertarian as it gets, and he listens to right wing radio and watches FOX News. He thought Sarah Palin was great.
I am a liberal Democrat and an Obama supporter from the primary days. My brother and I don’t agree politically, to say the least, but we don’t hate each other either, in fact, he has offered me a place to stay when the Depression hits and there is rioting in the streets. (He has guns.)
I am sure there are other families with members who hold conflicting political opinions. It’s a colorful country, lots of diversity, but that doesn’t mean, in the end, we have to be divided.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | April 15, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am

Posted by: George | April 15, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am

I am astounded that ABC and the rest of the liberal press still don’t get it! This is not about Republican vs. Democrat or Liberal vs. Conservative. It is about power-grabbing politicians (ALL OF THEM) ignoring the will of the People and hijacking the Country. I am one of the grassroots people and this came many months ago, before the TARP farce was passed (under Bush). A few of us got together and started organizing “something.” It has grown into these TEA Parties and Sean Hannity, Newt Gingrich and the others came on board AFTER that. I don’t understand why it is so difficult for the media to believe that people in Hometown USA can do this without puppet strings from politicians. And, I take exception to the comment about the TEA Party folks being wealthier than most democrats. I am NOT wealthy. I am just an American that loves my Country and sees it being taken over by politicians that have only their personal agendas in mind. They’ll soon be having a Constitution-shredding party.

Posted by: Sandi | April 15, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am

Where does the Constitution give Washington the right to take taxpayer dollars and funnel them into private businesses like banks and manufacturers? Who thinks that blasting an $800 billion 1,000-page spending bill through the legislative process in less than 24 hours (and without the promised transparency) is a healthy show of governmental competence? And let’s not ignore that the current administration has plans to surpass the spending of every president before him and has already spent more in his 2 months on the job than W’s administration spent in 8 years. These are only a few of the reasons for the T.E.A. (taxed enough already) parties.
Sure, some folks will protest that taxes are being collected at all, but most just feel we’re victims of a Robin Hood government that is no longer content just to skim off the top (e.g. tax the rich more than anyone else) and is instead focused on gutting the middle class – all to reward those who haven’t earned what they’re being given. Our elected representatives in Washington aren’t listening to the calls, letters, and emails, so we’re taking to the streets.
It’s not partisan because “everyone’s doing it” on Capitol Hill, so citizens on both sides of the aisle are protesting. There will be Democrats, Republicans, Independents, undecideds – anyone who doesn’t feel like they’re being heard can and should show up.
And if you want to talk about news media and political agenda, answer these questions: Why do you think ABC News waited to even mention the tea parties until a blog last Tuesday the 7th and didn’t actually write an ARTICLE about them until Monday the 13th? Why wait to start reporting about these events, which number in the thousands nationwide and have been in the works for months? And why does EVERY reference to the tea parties make a mention of “right-wing nutjobs”, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck, or “the dying GOP”? Sound like “fair and balanced” media to you? So certain personalities at FOX News support the tea party movement – does that mean free-thinking Americans don’t have the right to do so as well?
Naysayers, please don’t hate your fellow countrymen – try to understand that we’re all working towards a truly representative government born out of the traditional spirit of America and nothing more. Would you rather have gun-toting revolutionaries?
I’ll have tea, please – and you can keep the change.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am

Posted by: George | April 15, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am

Every year for as far back as I can remember, April 15 (Tax Filing Deadline Day) has sparked anti-tax protests, and these “Tea Parties” are just another in a long string of them. Regretably, these April 15 protests have minimal effect because they are about as far from election day (6 months out) as they are from the last election. And that is just how the elected officials want it.

Posted by: MNResident | April 15, 2009, 9:56 am 9:56 am

“Many conservatives had two major issues with the Bush administration….too much spending and the complete and total disregard for the southern border.” — says TxBoB
My point exactly BoB. Where were the teabaggers then???
________________
“You also mention a middle class tax cut. What middle class tax cut do you refer to?” — says TxBoB
The problem with the radical right is they whole heartedly buy into their own propaganda. Notice I never wrote the words “tax cut.” I wrote: MIDDLE CLASS TAX BREAK. Yet BoB went on for an entire paragraph yapping about “tax cuts.”
Look TxBoB, no one making UNDER $250,000 is going to have to pay more taxes — you acknowledged this yourself, President Obama is extremely popular with the electorate, republicans lost the last 2 national elections, you guys are plum out of new ideas, and basically leaderless.
Now don’t you have to go teabag someone?

Posted by: GOP08_DOA | April 15, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am

Does anyone ever consider this?
The development and maintenance of our infrastructure is a homeland security issue.
Transportation systems (highways, bridges, trains, airports), the electrical systems, communication systems, water systems, shut anyone of these down and security is compromised.
Profit is not the issue here, it’s national security.
It does take taxes to take care of these things—unless you would like to do without them.
—————————————-
The issue with this is national security? My goodness, you have had way too much Kool Aid this morning.
Here’s one on national security for you. The governor of our state recently asked for 1000 troops to help secure the border of our state. The response from team teleprompter was to send a few hundred law enforcement types to secure the entire southern border…lol. Now that’s change you can believe in.

Posted by: TxBoB | April 15, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am

Ignore the movement, belittle it, smear it, marginalize it, you won’t be able to ignore the millions of people sick of the lies, deceit, and out of control government spending. This movement is like teflon, you can try and stick it to some political figure or group, but the truth is, I’ve been to the meetings, we don’t want politicians there and for the majority of these meetings and protests, it’s regular people putting them together.

Posted by: James McIntyre | April 15, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am

lin taylor, thank you. you are truly a voice of reason. I hope people read and understand what you just said. One can only hope.

Posted by: notafanofobama | April 15, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am

GOP08_DOA – Obama’s administration – and state governments everywhere – have increased taxes on goods and services used by millions of “middle-class” Americans. So you are incorrect when you say “no one making UNDER $250,000 is going to have to pay more taxes.” Anyone who smokes, or drives a car, or uses energy to power his home – basically everyone – is going to be paying MORE taxes, they’re just “hiding” rather than blatant increases to something like income taxes.
T.E.A. parties, while inspired by the misappropriated taxes, also protest taxpayer-funded bailouts of private industries, certain foreign policies, and yes, the monumental spending of the current administration. “Bush did it too” is not an excuse for doing it even more.
This isn’t a GOP stunt – this IS a grassroots movement largely organized by average Americans (although admittedly coordinated by right-leaning groups). All citizens regardless of party are welcome to attend because this is about a representative government that no longer represents its constituents. You should go – you might learn something about the American spirit.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am

Gop08-DOA, so what your saying is no one making under 250,000 smokes? no one making under 250,000 buys gas, food, clothes, cars, houses? give me a break. Please tell me where Obama is going to get all the money to pay for his plans? From the top 5%? You have had way to much kool-aid, Someone please tell the bartender to cut Gop08 off. Please don’t drive anywhere today. Your brain is fogged

Posted by: notafanofobama | April 15, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am

notafanofobama – hey, if the naysayers read and understood the things that made sense, we wouldn’t be having any problems today, would we? :)

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am

Amy in maine, your post here sure has a different tune to it then past ones I’ve read. I guess you don’t spout off the hatered to your brother that I have read in many of your posts. Glad to see you are able to write something nice about someone who doesn’t share your views. Maybe its because your going to need a place to stay since your precious O doesn’t seem to think the economy will be fixed anytime soon like he led people to believe.

Posted by: what? | April 15, 2009, 10:17 am 10:17 am

I knew it! Thank you TxBob. I knew some whack-job right-winger would not disappoit us! You get the award for the first “teleprompter-tizzy” of the day! Of course you’ve been swilling WAY too much of the Limbaugh-Loving Kool Aid, but hey, you right-wingers are great clowns.

Posted by: Carl Spackler | April 15, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am

I’m curious as to how much media coverage these tea party’s will receive on the large news networks. These are important events by the American people from all backgrounds not party related (dem., rep., ind.). It is a sad day when the people fell the need to protest in the streets because of the out of control spending in Washington. Millions of Americans will be watching to see how much news coverage these very important events will receive on your network.

Posted by: curious | April 15, 2009, 10:32 am 10:32 am

This is not a popular liberal cause as gay marriage, global warming, be kind to terrorists, oh yes and apologize to them too.
This is an intelligent problem because the same people who pay for everything in this country are getting shafted.
Obama throws a few crumbs but then phone companies are raising rates, home insurance is going up, propery taxes are rising, let’s just say the you-know-what is hitting the fan for middle class people who just happen to hold down maybe one or two and sometimes three jobs to help support the large majority of lazy people in this country.

Posted by: kathy | April 15, 2009, 10:33 am 10:33 am

Kathy: your hatred is showing.

Posted by: Carl Spackler | April 15, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am

I hate George W. Bush and Cheney and Karl Rove. My brother once told me he doesn’t hate Bush, he just doesn’t think he did a very good job. My brother is a Libertarian, which basically means, he’s an unpredicatable Republican. A sociologist could have a field day trying to figure out how members of the same family differ and agree politically, not to mention how people arrive at their own political persuasions in the first place. I became a Democrat having witnessed the Nixon administrion. Just because I’m fond of my brother doesn’t mean I have to put up with right wing lies, smears and misinformation.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | April 15, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am

“Look TxBoB, no one making UNDER $250,000 is going to have to pay more taxes”
_____________________________
Really? Because I AM one of those people and while I may not have any more taken out of my pay check, I certainly will be subject to increased energy taxes, increased gas taxes, increased (state) sales taxes, while also experiencing decreased interest write off for the home that I own (and can afford), decreased write-offs for the charities that I contribute to and various other taxes that are simply named something else. To buy into the rhetoric of “no new taxes for the middle class” is to continue to keep your head buried in the sand.

Posted by: Sandi | April 15, 2009, 10:46 am 10:46 am

Interesting that everyone wants services, no one wants to pay. Everyone wants a strong defense. Everyone wants Interstate highways that are well maintained. Everyone wants grants in aid to colleges and universities and Pell grants for students. Everyone wants social security to be solvent. Everyone wants borders secured. Everyone wants help from the G when there are natural disasters. And at the local level, everyone wants their garbage picked up, their streets maintained, their city/county police to keep them safe. Everyone wants good schools. Everyone wants a good public library and fire protection. Everyone wants a good local community college. Etc., etc., etc. NO ONE WANTS TO PAY! How do you think we pay for all this? Taxes, people, taxes.

Posted by: EdDoc80 | April 15, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am

“I certainly will be subject to increased energy taxes, increased gas taxes, increased (state) sales taxes, while also experiencing decreased interest write off for the home that I own (and can afford), decreased write-offs for the charities that I contribute to and various other taxes that are simply named something else. To buy into the rhetoric of “no new taxes for the middle class” is to continue to keep your head buried in the sand.”
Care to cite to which specific taxes you are referring?

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am

tea party or tea-bagging?
..equally perverse.
The level of [failing]GOP foolishness has reached a whole new height.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am

Has anyone seen how the mainstream media is handling this whole tea party situation? They have been beefing up stories about how “right wing radicals” are possibly going to surface as a means to discredit the protestors today. This is a very predictable move by the left -Call everyyone who disagrees with you racist or facist.
I actually just saw a story about the “radical rightwingers” on cnn’s webstite, which had a picture of a nazi flag next to it, as if to say republican=nazi.
It’s funny though, that the insane liberals premoting these kinds of stories somehow forget to define what nazi actually stands for (National SOCIALIST german worker’s party).
The nazis were socialists who hated capitalism and the freedom it gave to the citizens.
In other words, barry o, the socialist from chicago, has a lot more in common with the nazis then the pro-capitalism protestors at the tea parties do today.

Posted by: Dave | April 15, 2009, 11:08 am 11:08 am

EdDoc80: not “everyone wants services”. And many of us who do want, limited, “services” are willing to pay for them….at a local and state level. Excepting Defense (which the Feds don’t provide, at least at our borders where it counts), solving interstate issues, and providing some limited regulation most of all the “services” you mention could/should be paid for by local and state governments- where there is actual accountability. Why should I pay for a “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska? Or a highway in New Jersey? Or schools for illegal immigrants in California? If the people in those States want those “services” then let them pay!

Posted by: Ed | April 15, 2009, 11:12 am 11:12 am

“This isn’t a GOP stunt – this IS a grassroots movement largely organized by average Americans (although admittedly coordinated by right-leaning groups.”
______________
“average” Americans?
define.
Since I personally do not know anyone who supports this foolishness,
am I above average? below?
…and using the term ‘grassroots’ is stealing the idea from the Obama campaign. Aren’t you base Repubs capable of any original thought?

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:16 am 11:16 am

These are the same morons that supported the Iraq war, who the hell is suppost to pay of it? IDIOTS

Posted by: Gored By bush | April 15, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

“In other words, barry o, the socialist from chicago, has a lot more in common with the nazis then the pro-capitalism protestors at the tea parties do today.”
Seriously, your brain is damaged. You really should just quit trying this politics stuff, because you are not equipped for it. Dave. You do nothing to polute every discussion you enter with nonsense, disinformation, bias, and contempt.

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

“You do nothing to polute every discussion you enter with nonsense, disinformation, bias, and contempt.”
Obviously, that should read “but polute.”

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am

Paige and GOP 2008: You are both RIGHT…where were all these people when Bush was ruining our country???? Why do they think we have this mess? Do they really think in three months Pres. Obama created all of this? They should have been out there protesting loudly about spending billions on a war that shouldn’t have been, letting Wall Street, insurance and mortgage companies get away with murder, letting Katrina happen w/o stepping in for days and day, sending jobs overseas, ..spending billions to rebuild Iraq instead of our own bridges and roads and schools as Pres. Obama is now doing while creating jobs,
I can’t stand some of these comments…they are childish and ignorant. Republicans lost for a reason..they were in charge for eight years….why did they allow this to happen?

Posted by: Barb | April 15, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am

“no one making UNDER $250,000 is going to have to pay more taxes — you acknowledged this yourself, President Obama is extremely popular with the electorate, republicans lost the last 2 national elections, you guys are plum out of new ideas, and basically leaderless” GOP08_DOA
Speak for yourself – This is is the first time in over 10 years that I have had to pay additional taxes. And I already have additional taxes taken out of my pay. Additionally I am a samll business owner – just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Posted by: mj | April 15, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am

“One characteristic of conservatives is their inability to make connections. The same people who are writing comments complainng about lack of protection against pirate, lack of control over our borders, etc. also complain about taxes, apparently unaware that effective actions in any of these areas cost money.” Jim_H
I have no problem paying taxes for those things you mentioned. I dn;t want to pay taxes to bail out private sector business, ACORN support, Pelosi’s private business ventures and various other pork. And I don’t want the GOvernment trying to protect me from myself.

Posted by: mj | April 15, 2009, 11:36 am 11:36 am

Dave,
been playing Scrabble?
The words are formed, but I suppose you’ve grown accustomed to spelling the same words over and over.
Your sentences need some work. as well as content.
Keep trying.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am

I would agree if their message would have been consistence but during the last 8 years know word on how the spending was sacrifice our children future. So now that we’re in a jam and we need the government to spend to get out of it they need to do the country a favor. SHUT UP!!!

Posted by: david | April 15, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am

gus amaral, Barb, et. al. – Please stop pinning this on the Republican party. Each event is a non-partisan assembly of citizens spurred to action and plenty of Democrats will be there, too. These are every-day hard-working (or lazy or laid off) moms and dads, soldiers, teachers, doctors, garbage collectors, students – everyone who just wants to be heard and acknowledged by Washington.
gus, if you do not personally support the tea party movement, you are an average American – just like those who do support it. Go to http://www.taxdayteaparty.com and http://www.teapartyday.com. See who’s organizing and what the blog chatter is about.
I didn’t make up the term grassroots, nor was I the first to assign it to this particular series of events. And yes, the tea party movement has borrowed a card from the Obama campaign’s deck – use the Internet and social networking cites to organize. So what? That’s how he charmed his way into office, isn’t it? So it works, right?
The tea party movement is about poor representation in government, not a desire to get out of paying taxes. And it’s definitely not about a conservative comeback – just America FINALLY coming back to its senses and demanding to be heard.
So much for liberty and unity… We’re all Americans and all have a right to our opinions. Can we at least stick to the topics in these posts and stop nit-picking about grammar and spelling? Can any of you vitriol-spewing naysayers respond to my post sans partisan politics or blind attacks?

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am

“average” Americans?
define.
Since I personally do not know anyone who supports this foolishness,
am I above average? below?
…and using the term ‘grassroots’ is stealing the idea from the Obama campaign. Aren’t you base Repubs capable of any original thought?
Gus – Grassroots has been around a lot longer than Obama. You must be a dyed in the wool Obamaite who thinks all his ideas are original.

Posted by: mj | April 15, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am

gus amaral
Nice lower-case “a” on your last sentence.
Who are you? Do you always go around acting like the spelling police?
BO is an anti-American socialist (as most liberals are) who also bows down to dictators in monkey costumes.
Is that enough “content” for you?

Posted by: Dave | April 15, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am

“Speak for yourself – This is is the first time in over 10 years that I have had to pay additional taxes. And I already have additional taxes taken out of my pay. Additionally I am a samll business owner – just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Do you know why you paid additional taxes?

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am

“… is an anti-American socialist (as most liberals are) who also bows down to dictators in monkey costumes.
Is that enough “content” for you?”
____________
no.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am

Republicans showing each other their tea bags. Priceless! I wonder if they are “Log Cabin” or “Wide Stance”…

Posted by: Bill in NC | April 15, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am

I will support to my very last breath the rights of any and all people to assemble and protest. That holds all the more true when the cause is unpopular, as the Tea Bag protests are in many quarters.
I find it more than a little interesting, though, that nary a peep was heard when the previous administration expanded government, spent tens of billions of dollars on contracts that have yet to be accounted for (how about KBR’s faulty electrical installations in Iraq leading to the electrocution of our service men and women?), spied on us (remember the FBI infiltrating the anti-war movement and the NSA intercepting our phone calls and e-mails?), and oversaw a shameful redistribution of wealth to the wealthiest among us. The examples and the wreckage left behind are too many to list.
Maybe there was silence then because the previous administration, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, the Sean Hannitys, the Rush Limbaughs, the James Dobsons, and the Bill O’Reillys of the world were walking in lockstep, manipulating the people.
Tea Baggers, ask yourselves: Are you being used again?

Posted by: rukidding | April 15, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

“The tea party movement is about poor representation in government, not a desire to get out of paying taxes. And it’s definitely not about a conservative comeback – just America FINALLY coming back to its senses and demanding to be heard.”
________________
You’re behind the times.
America already came to “it’s senses”, that’s why America voted in the new administration. Get on board. Catch up to what’s happening now. America needs you.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

“gus, if you do not personally support the tea party movement, you are an average American..”
________________
we agree. most don’t support this.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am

Tea baggin’ for Rush!
A queen’s dream.

Posted by: Tranny | April 15, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

gus amaral
When you said “it’s senses” you were incorrect. You should have dropped the apostrophe when you were referring to America.
Were you too busy waiting in welfare lines to pay attention in school?

Posted by: Dave | April 15, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

Dave,
Too much tea-baggin’ blocks the vision.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Well, I for one am tired of paying large amounts of tax and then watching the government spend…spend…spend. All of us, regardless of political affiliation, should care about HOW much we are being TAXED and HOW much the government is SPENDING!

Posted by: Darlene | April 15, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

Darlene
What you are saying makes way too much sense for any obamabot to agree with you.
The libs have been screaming about the deficit under Bush for years, but now they have elected a man who has quadrupled it in his first 60 days in office, and yet they don’t utter one word in protest?
The obamabots are all too excited about the new pair of shoes they think the gov’t is going to buy them to say anything in opposition to BO’s socialist agenda.

Posted by: Dave | April 15, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

gus, please don’t tell me how many people voted for Obammy – do you know how many people didn’t? It was a statistically close race, and the truth is we’ll never really know by how much he won (IF he actually won) because of all the vote-counting problems and ACORN voter-fraud scandals.
That said, I find it hard to believe that you support the lies and misdirection that have been perpetrated by the Bringer of Change since he took office. Bills signed without the promised 5-day Internet viewing period promised during the campaign; “it’s ok to pass these earmarks because even though I’m signing it, it’s last year’s bill” even though “no earmarks” was promised in the campaign; accountability and responsibility were promised in the campaign, but it’s ok to take taxpayer dollars and give them no-strings-attached to IRRESPONSIBLE companies instead of holding them ACCOUNTABLE for their mismanagement and allowing them to fail.
THIS is what you voted for?

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

Barb . . you’re missing the point. Stop drawing partisan lines on these events. These T.E.A. Parties are a show of individual citizens coming together in a show of solidarity opposed to a big federal government that has become entirely too reckless and dangerously entertwined with private enterprise (aka nationalism). Our “elected” politicians no longer represent our actual voices, hence the Tea Party analogy, taxation without representation. Our government is dangerously teetering on the brink of an organizational overhaul, free market republic to a socialist democracy, not the intentions of our forefathers. THAT’s why we are gathering, not b/c Hannity told anyone to do it.
I agree, there probably should have been rallies during the Bush administration but what pushed things over the edge was the extraordinary government spending in the past few months. That’s what proved to be the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” It wasn’t on the dialy forefront of debate b/c of other priority issues (i.e. Iraq, global warming, etc.). It took a financial melt down for everyone to realize how dangerous our government’s fiscal reactions were and now we’re organizing to show our disgust. That’s what makes this country great, freedom of association, expression, & speech!! I hope this response passes your test of a childish and ignorant comment.

Posted by: Jay | April 15, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

Why does everyone think these tea parties are being thrown by disgruntled Republicans? Independents, dems, and repubs are all attending these parties because they recognize that our current way of governing must be changed. This is a movement about casting off the current 2 party system and getting a new party that will actually represent the will of the People!! This isn’t about partisan politics – it’s much more. I propose a toast…that the tea parties continue and may a new Working Man’s Party unite and take back our gov’t for the people!! Now, where’s my Jack Daniels LOL??!!

Posted by: fairpolitics2009 | April 15, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

You should be very nervous..when the republican party hangs monickers like “patriot act and “freedom works” on organizations..it usually means they are H#ll bent on taking those very things away from you..they know there are at least 30% of the people who will fall for that..time and again…so go ahead and protest, I could care less..just look to the right and left and see the people caring anti gay signs and anti abortion signs..because that IS what Freedom Works” sponsers…many of you are being used..smart people…are e-mailing their representatives to register their complaints…BY the way, I noticed the cameras weren’t giving a wide angle shot….just tight shots..does that mean..there are NO crowds????

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm

Go- Tea Partiers, Go! You are brave Souls who capture the Liberty the founding fathers inspired for all Americans!

Posted by: Sam | April 15, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

I finished my taxes and I am paying less..I don’t know what you people are talking about..just get laid off for a couple of years and your taxes will go down..problem solved by GW Bush…LOL

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

cowgirl,
no crowds.
a big voice of support here – blogging on ABC. People of [blog] action.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

Dave..how come you and your friends aren’t out there protesting…took your laptop with you?? I told you… republicans can’t get off their b#tts long enough to protest

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm

I honestly think Dave might have to get permission to leave the premises.
I made more money in 2008 than I did in 2007, one exemption, and still got money back. I’m not sure what these people are talking about either. I think they’re making things up. What a shock.

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm

MJ..Geez, i am feeling your pain..if you had made over 250,000 you wouldn’t be paying any taxes and these are still bushes rules so I guess you’ll have to blame GWB..untill the Obama rules kick in around 2010…and then YOU will be paying less taxes and get more breaks as a small business owner….You kinda got this thing all backwards…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm

If you use enough mirrors, you can create a ‘crowd’ of one.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

This year I received a tax refund.
The first in 8 years.
What IS the protest?

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

I am happy to support all the protesters out their marching and carring signs to protest those making over 250,000 need to pay their fair share of taxes…Obama thanks you for supporting his policies…and i do to, I knew you republicans would come around..LOL

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

Cowgirl, stop watching the MSM news, the reason they only show tight shots, they don’t want you to know how large the crowds are.

Posted by: buckaroobonsai | April 15, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Gosh I live in a wildly rich, republican dominated resort…and there weren’t any protesters out this morning…probably afraid to get their Guicci shoes dirty….

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

I did see a Neo-Nazi rally going on..could that have been the protesters..alot of skin heads out there..they must have bussed them in from Idaho…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

I heard they were protesting in Prisons across the country..wasting tax dollars by imprisoning innocent people..I say let them out..set our tax dollars free…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

I didn’t think dirt existed in the wildly rich, republican dominated resorts, silly me thinking everything was paved with gold!

Posted by: buckaroobonsai | April 15, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

I hear Somalia has NO government, no taxes..everyone is free to do what ever…maybe you all could get a free trip aboard a freighter and jump overboard and swim to shore in Somalia..no government and no taxes..feel free to leave… and experience Nervana…paradise for republicans

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

Cowgirl, you must not keep up on the news? Idaho ran the skinheads and the Richard Butler wannabes out of Idaho years ago.

Posted by: buckaroobonsai | April 15, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

Buckaroo..they move here for the pristine beauty..then throw up their McMansionsions to destroy the view..and everyone here wants to be a make believe “cowboy”..so they have dirt, a couple of horses and a $100,000 rigg to pull their $50.00 horses..they got it all backwards…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

Buckaroo..Not so, the skinheads are in every nook and cranny of idaho, the movement has actually grown..just don’t have the high profile leaders…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm

Seems to me the Somalian pirates and you have something in common as they tend to think everyone else should pay their way also.

Posted by: buckaroobonsai | April 15, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

I paid $55 in federal taxes and $85 in state, above what was withheld in my paycheck. I have two jobs and I don’t think I had enough withheld over the year in the smaller job to get a refund. At any rate, I suppose if I didn’t have to pay taxes to live in the greatest country on earth, I could afford cable. Or, I could pay my taxes and be protected by Navy SEALS! I’m glad I mailed in my check now.

Posted by: Amy in Maine | April 15, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

Sorry cowgirl, they’re like the boogeyman in Idaho they no longer exist. Read up on it the Feds and the State of Idaho took all there property in northern Idaho and they all moved elsewere to apply their hate.

Posted by: buckaroobonsai | April 15, 2009, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

GOP08_DOA, You’re full of crap when you say Consevatives are more well off. In fact, the latest research has uncovered there’s a whole lot more rich Liberals than there are rich Conservatives. I hope you’re a rich liberal because you’re going to need every penny you have after Obama is done with you!!!

Posted by: EXDEM | April 15, 2009, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

Everyone whining about Republicans not wanting to pay taxes has taken the bait set out by mainstream media and missed the point entirely. These events are neither funded nor sponsored by Republicans – most aren’t even organized by Republicans – and taxes aren’t the only issue.
Go to http://www.teapartyday.com and http://www.taxdayteaparty.com – read who started these tea parties and why – then explain why you’re so upset that a few million every-day Americans want to stand in the street and complain about not being represented by their elected officials. Explain how you’re superior for calling names and looking down your nose at a group of people who have decided they’d rather be labeled crazy than drink the kool-aid and consent to the out-of-control spending spree going in Washington.
Sure, Obama’s not the first to do go spend-crazy or preside during harsh economic times, but he is the one in charge now (so it’s all on him now) and in less than 3 months, he has effectively spent more than what most liberals say came about under 8 whole years of Bush. That’s change? That’s what you voted for?? Not “more of the same,” but “EVEN more of the same.”
No, I’m not at a tea party right now. I’m taking a half day to go, but even if I wasn’t, there’s one in my area AFTER work hours. This is happening across the country, so don’t think everyone who’s blogging will continue to do so without further action.
We are peacefully demonstrating because Washington isn’t listening. Such is our American right, earned in blood. We are entitled to voice our opinions and we are doing so without name-calling and blame-casting. We just want to be heard.
Stick to the topic at hand. It’s easy to argue when you make up your talking points.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

“Read up on it the Feds and the State of Idaho took all there property in northern Idaho and they all moved elsewere to apply their hate.”
How’d they take their property?

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

“I hope you’re a rich liberal because you’re going to need every penny you have after Obama is done with you!!!”
Please explain how so.

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

You poor and uneducated people who blindly bash Obama without bothering to do any research really need to pick a new battle. Taxes isn’t the fight you want. He’s not raising *your* taxes, and at this point it’s not even a given that he’s going to let the Bush cuts expire. You just look silly going at him on taxes at this moment in time. I suggest having at him for not choosing a church yet, or for choosing a dog instead of a cat for the White House.

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

Silky..I don’t think they were paying their taxes..and they had stockpiles of “arms” in the compound..anyway they are scattered in the mountains..they just lost their compound and “leader”..They generally like their less populated mountainous areas..where there are alot of trees to hide behind..

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

Lin Taylor..If you actually believe these tax parties aren’t being organized and funded by the right wing of the republican party..then YOU haven’t done your homework..there are plenty of reputable..non political sites you could have checked it out at..and FOX has been very open about organising it…Ignorant by choice..which is your right…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

AMY in Maine..I feel your pain..I am the ONLY non republican in my entire family..otherwise known as the back sheep…I have been marching in protests and leading sit-ins since I was 17 and student body president..I Always marched for rights for someone else…these people are marching for their pocketbooks..not a noble cause…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

Oh boy, cowgirl. You sure do like to bash those who think differently from you. Shouldn’t “liberal” have something to do with “liberty,” as in we have the FREEDOM to organize and protest, even if cowgirl disagrees?
Sure, Republicans have gotten behind these parties (they’re just riding the coattails), but these are NOT being organized by the Republican Party. As a matter of fact, Republican politicians interested in speaking at these parties have been turned down in a number of locations because this is not about politics in that sense – it’s about every-day Americans protesting a government that is out of touch with the constituency.
Devil’s advocate: let’s just say FOX News was funding a rally like this. What do you have against a movement of people interested in forming a government that actually responds to public outcry against its practices and policies? Is that too much to ask, regardless of the party with which you’re affiliated?
I’m sure some Republican dollars have gone into supporting the organizers, but you’re a fool if you think there are Democrats uninterested in these events. Hopefully, we’ll always have a two-party system, so it goes without saying that the end result of these tea parties won’t be “just Democrats” or “just Republicans” but had rather better be new blood that cares about the people that elected them.
You seem smart enough, so I hope you take this advice with the grin that accompanies it – don’t drink the kool-aid from the filtered media: it’s not good for you.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Paige, Sally, You two are so Socialist! Go to Cambodia with Khmer Rouge where you belong. Most of the people protesting this come from every platform and from ever economic class. They are Americans who are tired of being taxed and seeing thier money go to waste. Most of these people were protesting the Bush Administration, especially when he began this Socialist trend of bailing out failed companies. A nation wide protest takes time to organize to execute, don’t assume that because they pulled it together during this Administration, that it is an anti-Obama display.
I think you two need to pull your heads out and see this new Emperor is no different then the old one. His policy of printing/borrowing money to throw into this situation that he and his kronies got us into is not going solve the problem and by cronies i am not just attacking the left, i am attacking all those who voted for and supported the bailouts. more then that, i am blaming the American people for not seeing this and not acting sooner.
Are you so shallow that you think this Emperor (President) is perfect?

Posted by: LuckyPhrog46 | April 15, 2009, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm

“In fact, the latest research has uncovered there’s a whole lot more rich Liberals than there are rich Conservatives.”
____________________
talk about pulling out of your A S S.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

Posted by: A Difference | April 15, 2009, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

TXBOB, right on! If you want to confuse a liberal use facts and logic!

Posted by: NG | April 15, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

“Devil’s advocate: let’s just say FOX News was funding a rally like this. What do you have against a movement of people interested in forming a government that actually responds to public outcry against its practices and policies?”
____________
the ‘outcry’ is totally off base.
It’s unrealistic and outright naive to believe a small minority is going to form a “new government”. For what purpose? FOX is fooling you.
70% of the country favors President Obama.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

Obama’s Code of Secrecy
Question: Does the President or his Treasury Secretary, really know where all the outrageous amounts of money that they have given to the banking industry is going?
This article reveals some disturbing information relating to this issue-You Decide:
http://WeroInNM.blogtownhall.com/2009/04/15/obamas_code_of_secrecy.thtml
“Food For Thought”
“God Bless Our USA”
Semper Fi!

Posted by: WeroInNM | April 15, 2009, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

Question: Does the President or his Treasury Secretary, really know where all the outrageous amounts of money that they have given to the banking industry is going?
______________
yesterday’s news:
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is drawing up plans to disclose the conditions of the 19 biggest banks in the country, according to senior administration officials, as it tries to restore confidence in the financial system without unnerving investors.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

LIN..Given the fact that i am a lifelong reg. Independant who had to switch to democrat to vote for hillary in the primary…that makes me a baileys drinker-not a koolaide drinker and you will find most of us on this blog,are very much into the facts..I find most of the people who sound like they drink koolaide are the right wing neocons

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm

“the ‘outcry’ is totally off base.
It’s unrealistic and outright naive to believe a small minority is going to form a “new government”. For what purpose? FOX is fooling you.
70% of the country favors President Obama.” (gus amaral, Apr 15, 2009 2:19:08 PM)
* * * *
gus, you’re hopeless. You choose to squabble over one minor point from a reply I made to another poster rather than answer any of the queries I directed to you. I’ll reply, but I expect something intelligent in response:
If you are content to let Congress run amok and spend your tax dollars however and wherever they see fit – whether it be foreign aid when we need the aid at home, or a stimulus bill that hasn’t stimulated anything, or those unconstitutional bailouts of private industries – you just go ahead and keep sipping the kool-aid. I don’t have to, and you have no right to tell others they are “off base” because they want their tax dollars spent responsibly.
If you are content with the current government, again, enjoy the kool-aid. I watched a massive spending bill get rammed through Congress at breakneck speed without so much as one complete read-through. To me, that DEMANDS reform. I don’t care if it’s FOX News’ idea or ABC News’ idea or your idea or my 6-year-old daughter’s idea – it needs to happen. Tea parties aren’t going to change the government, but they are supposed to awaken, motivate, and unite dissenting Americans who will hopefully turn out in very great numbers for the upcoming Congressional elections. So yes, I suppose I do expect a “new” government.
And if 70% of people leap off a bridge, you can bet I’ll be content to be one of the 30% still standing…

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

Lucky Phrog…you negated everything in your post when you called the president the “Emperor”..or you would just be against the policies and not the president..which is why no one is going to treat you with and serious discussion or recognition…code word for anti obama protester….you guys are so boringly stupid..

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

cowgirl, I wasn’t insulting you. What’s happening in our country is madness. You seem smart enough to be able to recognize that.
I can’t believe you’d focus on my half-joking “kool-aid” line instead of taking advantage of a golden opportunity to show off some of those cold hard liberal facts.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

Lin..Cranky aren’t we..whats a matter..did you want our tax dollars to go to building a SPA near your dwelling?? You might wantto check with the people who are now working on one of the stimulus projects…If you PEOPLE hadn’t so mismanaged the government for 8 years..perhaps you might had elected enough people to office to make a difference…blame it on your own people for bothing things..and by the way..it will take more than 2 years to forget the mess …you…made out of the country..may i suggest rehab for the next decade or so???

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

Rehab is for quitters.
WHERE’S PIPER????

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

Lin..if you want a real discussion..tell me what you invision would have happened had we let all the major banking institutions fail?? how does that scenerio play out in your mind…take into consideration..in march alone..40 some small banks declared bankruptcies..keep in mind AIG used their tarp funds to pay Goldman Sachs..part of the reason their books look good?…and so goldman sachs is paying back the tarp money…so what are you bitching about?? Would you have rather the world crashed into a depression? I personally would never do business with any of those crooked B#ast#rds or any of the big banks..i would think your time would be better spent lobbying for tougher regulations that seperate banking from investments so this couldn’t happen again..otherwise it just looks political, kind of like a bad loser..

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

cowgirl – if I steal money from someone to pay off a man’s debt so he can keep his house, am I still a criminal?

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

Dave | Apr 15, 2009 12:28:02 PM
Your response to Darlene’s; …”All of us, regardless of political affiliation, should care about HOW much we are being TAXED and HOW much the government is SPENDING!” …
Your said; … “screaming about the deficit under Bush for years, but now they have elected a man who has quadrupled it in his first 60 days in office, and yet they don’t utter one word in protest?”….
___________________
Dave, IF ONLY you had one (1) Healthy Brain Cell and an Iota of Honesty…. you would KNOW THIS; The majority of Economist of All Stripes AGREE: Government spending is the proper strategy to positively impact a “recessionary, stagnant economy.”

Posted by: bobj72 | April 15, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

Lin..you didn’t answer my question..but, i am going to guess– lin–that you are not angry at the banks getting tax dollars in so much as you are angry at your fellow citizens for getting bailed out??? considering how many homes have been forclosed, I think the..tax paying citizen…that you want to join you– in your protest..is the one you are angry at..because they were “stupid” and the banks were just “greedy”…LOL..now do you start to fathom why..republicans..fail to win the hearts and minds??????

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

“cowgirl – if I steal money from someone to pay off a man’s debt so he can keep his house, am I still a criminal?”
Of course. But in the United States, the Legislative Branch has the authority to impose taxes as it sees fit. It’s not criminal.

Posted by: Silky | April 15, 2009, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

I’ve ‘gotta believe, some New Entrants to this site treat us as though we are “Playing in an elementary school sandbox!” They ACTUALLY have the audacity to refer someone to “A Comment” on some “who-woulda-thunk-it” BLOG – as though that could pass for a reasonable, reliable, intellectual, sane or maybe “meaningful source!” Personally, I’m embarrassed for them!

Posted by: bobj72 | April 15, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm

cowgirl – I didn’t answer your question because I’m not an economist. Besides: The government MAY NOT take my money and invest it in private industry. I don’t need to be a financial expert to understand that.
To rebut your insults: I can relate to those going through foreclosure in ways I’m sure you only blog about. I am not wealthy and I did not vote for Bush. I am a tax-paying citizen and I would only begin to approach the $250K tier if you stacked up several years of my income on top of each other. Kindly take your suppositions and stereotypes elsewhere. (I’m not cranky, BTW, just sick of the left- and right-wing BS that’s ripping America in half. You’re not helping, thus you get the horns, too.)
I am angry that the government’s solution to its citizen’s crisis is spend money like it grows on trees: to assist “victims” overseas instead of at home, and to load up recovery bills with unnecessary legislation and spending – and all the investing that’s been done “for the economy” hasn’t helped anyone I know who is suffering financially. I’m angry because the government isn’t listening. I’m angry because we’re being misled and patronized by our government, and the liberal media won’t report accurately. (FOX News isn’t necessarily “fair and balanced” but at least they present the other side – it’s best to watch a little news on many different channels.)
Yes, some people lived beyond their means, and yes, some banks got more than they bargained for by making stupid loans, but so what? Bankrupt the entire nation, borrow from foreign countries, and mortgage my daughter’s future? No thank you. There are better ways. If the money the government had invested in these failed bailouts had gone directly into the hands of taxpaying Americans (e.g. those who work, or shop, or drive, etc.), we’d already be on the road to recovery. All the bailouts in the world don’t help the economy if consumers don’t have the money to consume.
And Silky, yes, it is illegal to steal money from someone and give it to someone else, no matter how badly that someone else needs it. I’m not talking about collecting taxes, which is legal and necessary (and NOT the biggest issue of these protests), I’m talking about Congress taking tax dollars – allocated for government projects and programs – and giving it away.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

I think tea-bagging is cool. Where can I go to do my part?

Posted by: Pat Magroin | April 15, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

For tea party locations: visit http://www.taxdayteaparty.com and/or http://www.teapartyday.com.
For tea-bagging: call your boyfriend.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Lin we absolutely agree on not bailing out business with tax payer dollars..I do happen to know people the stimulus is starting to help..small business, unemployed workers, the grocery stores ect..no..its probably not helping those selling luxury items like me…I will be last to feel the trickle up..but I know it will come and I have lived within my means..so i will survive…Look anyone who borrows money to buy a car or a house is living off someone elses money…and thats just a fact..even wealthy people don’t pay cash for what they buy…banks got that money to loan from “us ” to begin with..Do you remember the savings and loan crisis we had back in the 80s??? it was a much smaller scale..and not as deep into the whole system as this…The US bailed them out..took the assets and sold them eventually and made a profit(on tax payers dollars)..Now in this instance it would be impossible to take over the biggest financial institutions in the world and run them all..we can’t even find enough qualified experts to fill the treasury dept..I am smart enough to know I can’t do it…We are going to have to put our faith in someone…and there aren’t many standing that i would be willing to do that with..none of us knows how its going to turn out to be sure..I just haven’t heard any alternative that seems more viable..and i am really tired of hearing all the “crazy” solutions..which aren’t solutions at all..and quite frankly the government doesn’t have the option of debating it forever like we do..they are in fact responsable for us sinking or swimming

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Tea-baggers unite! Let’s all tea-bag on April 15! That’ll show the socialists!

Posted by: Pat Magroin | April 15, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

“gus, you’re hopeless. You choose to squabble over one minor point from a reply I made to another poster rather than answer any of the queries I directed to you. I’ll reply, but I expect something intelligent in response:”
____________
Tea-baggers are people too.

Posted by: gus amaral | April 15, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

cowgirl – it’s good to see you’re “not just another bad-mouthing liberal” :) thank you for the ultra-cognitive reply.
I personally came up with a seven-part solution that wasn’t crazy and – in part or in whole – probably would have cost less and worked better than what’s going on now. I sent it to the White House, my state reps, the media – nothing. Petitions were signed by thousands of citizens. A counter-proposal to the “stimulus” was introduced in Congress and was shot down. We didn’t have a choice in the matter, and ESPECIALLY because officials are “responsable for us sinking or swimming” they should have taken the time to make sure they didn’t hand us a cement brick. Thus tea parties – “Washington, you ignored us then, but you won’t ignore us any longer.”
Our economic problems stem from an addiction to credit (mortgages, loans, etc.) and an addiction to a good deal (Internet shopping, “Made in China” tags, outsourced customer service, etc.). We don’t have anything tangible on which to rebuild our economy, so throwing money in a big hole won’t help. We need to fill the whole first with REAL industry, NEW industry, AMERICAN industry. Stuff like domestic energy production and in-country manufacturing. Bring back the factories and bring back the jobs.
I refuse to put my faith in the ones currently in power. Half the cabinet could be prosecuted for a variety of tax infringements. I’m opposed to Ooopsbama because almost everything he promised during his campaign turned out to be a lie. I’m enraged by the whole situation because a very small minority of people who voted for him seem to care…
Don’t let MSM corrupt your views – go to the websites and see if you truly disagree with the point of tea parties, or if you’re just arguing for the sake of argument.
Good night. I have a party to attend!

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

gus: I know tea-baggers are people, and tea-bagging is great. Doesn’t change that you didn’t answer my queries :)
Have a good night.

Posted by: Lin Taylor | April 15, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm

I resent the comments about the TEA PARTIES being held by conseratives only, that is wrong. There are plenty of Dems that are not happy with the taxation thats been bombarding them, so don’t give all the credit to the conseratives…OK and find out the facts and truth before hand, it may save alot of misunderstanding…….

Posted by: seamenow | April 15, 2009, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm

I just watched 10 different u-tube videos..OMG..its the folks from SOUTH PARK crossed with a traveling circus LOL…whatever party this is…I want NO part of it…mental midgets and derilicts…a bunch of Timothy McVee wanna bes…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm

Iloved the lady trying to hide her face bdhind a sign…Loud and Proud Honey, step up to the camera…

Posted by: cowgirl | April 15, 2009, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm

Perhaps a libertarian candidate in 2012 that ends up being a serious contender? Sounds really nice.

Posted by: NPage | April 16, 2009, 12:48 am 12:48 am

It’s so disappointing to hear all of the talk about “conservatives” and “Republicans” when this is a non-partisan movement.
Hopefully the media will allow Libertarians to run neck-and-neck with Republicans and Democrats in 2012. (Or at least stop marginalizing Ron Paul).

Posted by: David | April 16, 2009, 1:24 am 1:24 am

David…I agree that this is a “Non-Partisan Movement” and that we need more than a two-party system to have REAL checks and balances. However, Ron Paul has marginalized himself and will never see the light of day as a serious contender to lead this nation…or anyone who thinks like him. First, he would be impeached and removed from office if he tried to pull all U.S. troops from other nations (returning to isolationism that failed us so miserably during World Wars I & II) and attempts to run our government by “13 Colony” standards would destroy our economy and threaten our national security. We need moderate voices with a little common sense and a forward-leaning approach to governing in this Century…not the 18th Century. Our citizens are taking huge gambles these days and if things get much worse over the next few years, Republicans and Democrats may have serious competition, as both are alienating their constituents with their partisan bickering that puts the needs of average Americans on the permanent back-burner. Real Change may be possible…if the American people lose faith in the ruling party and Republicans. Republicans did their part and now Democrats are doing theirs…so change may not be too far off.

Posted by: Gary | April 16, 2009, 10:53 am 10:53 am

Although I have never protested anything in my life, I attended a tea party in the small town of Marble Falls, TX, and was thrilled to see the enthusiastic turnout. To me, big government equals more taxes and less freedom – a trend which has eroded (and eventually would destroy) our national character. I know that some consider me a right-wing extremist, but I pose no threat to anyone other than politicians who violate their oath to uphold the constitution; I’ll vote against them at every opportunity!

Posted by: John Hallowell | April 16, 2009, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

I DARE THEY, taxation without representation solely belongs to residence of Washington D.C. Here we live without representation in the House of Representative and these S.O.B’s have the nerve to protest a deficit created by the Bush / Cheney era. Well guess what the budget must be balance in order for the American dollar to become strong again. Where were the complaints when Bush / Cheney spent 10 billion a month in an unjust war. Where were these tea-baggers when the previous administration allowed for deregulation and the S.E.C. was powerless do to anything about it. The never of these idiots, we must get out of the pockets of China and Sudi Arabia who have investments here in America.

Posted by: jbmotogp | April 16, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

pt2. IN ORDER FOR AMERICA, to move ahead we must pay back the money barrowed from these countries.

Posted by: jbmotogp | April 16, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

pt2. IN ORDER FOR AMERICA, to move ahead we must pay back the money barrowed from these countries.

Posted by: jbmotogp | April 16, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

pt2. IN ORDER FOR AMERICA, to move ahead we must pay back the money barrowed from these countries.

Posted by: jbmotogp | April 16, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm

pt2. IN ORDER FOR AMERICA, to move ahead we must pay back the money barrowed from these countries.

Posted by: jbmotogp | April 16, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm

jbmotogp: I agree that those who protested yesterday should have been protesting wasteful spending during previous administrations…including the last one. However, I wish the uneducated remarks that Iraq was an “unjust” war, be removed on the basis of fact. If you believe we should have dealt with Saddam differently…like giving up now, so we can face a real threat from Iraq and others in the future…then just state that. Removing of Saddam was authorized several times from 1990-2003, from both the U.S. Congress and the United Nations, with NONE of those authorizations being rescinded. I understand the Bush Administration did a horrible job explaining the situation and staying “on message” with the real reason to finish the job (after 12 years of failed diplomacy to reach a Peace Accord after the 03 March 1991 Ceasefire Agreement). History books and international agreement on defined terms, treaties, charters, etc, are only as good as the citizens who use them correctly and enforce the standards. Because Governments and citizens of the world DON’T have set standards, enemies of International Law have the advantage…and if we don’t get our act together, they will ultimately win and our anarchy will prevail. If you can’t envision life under such conditions, spend some time in Somalia…the “real life” Mad Max!
Liberal ideology has limitations, unless freedom means nothing to you. In order to live free, we must have laws and enforcement of those laws. Redefining the law to support a certain political party or government, threatens our way of life.

Posted by: Gary | April 16, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

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