This morning’s Press reports a Tax Day Tea Party is planned here in Coeur d’Alene, down at Independence Point in City Park, April 15th at 3:00pm.
This national movement is spreading like fire, attracting attention from citizens in every corner of our country. People are worried. They are seeing absurdly high spending by this new administration; they are shocked at the agressive push of massive new government programs, with very little congressional oversight or deliberation.
What do you think of the Tea Party idea? Will you participate? Any ideas for good signs or slogans for this event?
Remember the movie “Network”? Here’s the key scene–it’s describing our situation today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08&feature=player_embedded
Comment by mary — March 30, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Without lots of heads getting busted or an unacceptably high body count, symbolic gestures like this don’t really get much more than a little air time on Eyenitwit News.
What will probably be much more effective is for highly-invested members of Congress to see their investments going down the toilet, just like everyone else’s. When it begins to hit them personally in their own pocketbooks, they will act. They may not act rationally, but they will act.
Comment by Bill — March 30, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
I must express solidarity with many on the CDA Press blog sites who point out that the time is bad: 3:00 PM in the afternoon isn’t when a lot of working people can attend. Also, the symbolism of the Boston Tea Party is being lost.
The tax was to be paid on the tea, and the tea was dumped overboard, meaning no taxes were collected. If people were serious about protesting higher taxes, they would be most effective by not paying them. Not just a few people, but everyone. Few lack the courage to make that kind of commitment.
Besides, the problem isn’t taxes it’s spending.
Comment by Dan — March 30, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
I think a big crowd WILL draw the attention of our local, state and congressional officials. When people are motivated to get out of their chairs and stand up for what they believe in, it’s a great opportunity. There’s an increasing frustration toward the way all levels of our government are treating citizens. This gathering will be a chance for people to send a clear message: WE THE PEOPLE are in charge of the government, not the other way around!
Comment by mary — March 30, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
i think bill is correct, you need a bunch of busted heads! is that part of their plan?
Comment by reagan — March 30, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
the symbolism of the Boston Tea Party is being lost.–dan
dan, didn’t you organize a tea party a few years ago? what was that one about?
Comment by reagan — March 30, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
No, that “tea party” was organized by a group of LCHS students. They didn’t like having to pay Sales Tax and Income Tax when they weren’t allowed to vote. I told them it was a noble effort, but futile. I was invited to help because I have a 1776 costume (that no longer fits, BTW). It was windy that day, and the EPA-approved pound of tea we tossed into the lake ended up back in our faces.
Comment by Dan — March 30, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
Dan, there’s so much less of you now! You don’t look like Benjamin Franklin at all anymore. Maybe you should have your costume altered to more of a Jeffersonian physique?
And then show up at the tea party with some of his famous lines, my favorite being: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” Are we there yet?
Comment by mary — March 30, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
protests help, a little. good for those who are organizing, hopefully the protest is just part of the game plan.
Comment by TheWiz — March 30, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
dan, thanks for the background information.
Comment by reagan — March 30, 2009 @ 7:57 pm