Tens of thousands rally in D.C. against federal spending

WASHINGTON -- Tens of thousands of fiscal conservatives packed streets in the nation's capital Saturday to protest what they consider the federal government's out-of-control spending.

Demonstrators gathered first at Freedom Plaza near the White House, listening to speakers and periodically chanting, "U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A."

Some waved U.S. flags and some men were dressed in colonial costumes with tri-colored hats.

Many carried signs addressing a host of issues. Some targeted health care with "First the IRS, Post Office, and Now Health Care" and "Obamacare makes me sick," while others pointed toward a fear of oncoming communism with slogans such as "The new green is the old red" and "One czar down. 32 to go. Thank you Glenn Beck."

Around 10:30 a.m., the crowd began its march to the Capitol where a stage and series of speakers awaited them. Behind a fife and drum band, the crowd poured into the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol and eventually spilled over onto the National Mall.

The District's Emergency Management Agency sent a text alert to residents warning them that Pennsylvania Avenue was blocked from 14th Street to the Capitol.

FreedomWorks Foundation, a conservative organization led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, organized several groups from across the country for what they're calling the "09.12.09 March on Washington."

The Washington march took place on the same day President Obama was headed to Minneapolis to rally support for his heath care reform plan. The plan, which also was the topic of his weekly raido and Internet message, has come under fire from fiscal conservatives who consider it too costly.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who delivered the Republican radio address Saturday, said one of the House health care reform bills works out to $2.4 trillion over 10 years, beginning in 2013. Obama puts the cost of his plan at $900 billion over the period.

Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and former Teamster, came from Paw Paw, Mich. He said health care needs to be reformed — but not according to Obama's plan.