The Lansing State Journal original article.

April 16, 2009

5,000 gather at ‘Tea Party’ to protest federal government’s spending policies

Scott Davis
sedavis@lsj.com

Throughout the morning, they filed slowly toward the steps of the state Capitol, picket signs slung over shoulders, to wage war on a government they say has run amok.

Shortly after noon Wednesday, the outdoor rally of tax protesters was nearly 5,000 strong according to police, and their battle cry could be heard for blocks.

“Let this be just the beginning of the movement,” Leon Drolet, founder and chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said to the cheering crowd. “Today, (politicians) heard us. Let them feel us.”

That was the sentiment among many in the “Tea Party,” a grass-roots rally that assembled on the day that Americans were required to submit their federal and state tax forms. It was one of hundreds of “tea party” rallies nationwide Wednesday.

The crowd, which included both Republicans and Democrats, converged to voice their frustration over what they see as wasteful government spending, particularly the $787 billion stimulus bill passed in February.

“Look around. These are hardworking people who have been good citizens all their lives,” said Charlene Smith, 61, of Fowlerville, who formerly owned a printing business. “What’s happening to our country today makes them sick to their stomachs.”

The signs in the crowd told the story. Many were nonpartisan, with slogans such as “Don’t Tread on Me,” but others vented outrage toward President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats. One read: “Trillion dollar pirates: Pelosi, Reid, Obama.”

Kevin Phillips, a financial adviser who took a vacation day to drive to the event from Chelsea with his wife, Patty, and three young sons, proudly waved his sign, “We’ll keep our money. You keep your change,” a reference to Obama’s campaign call for change.

“There’s an enormous amount of frustration,” Kevin Phillips said. “They voted on the stimulus bill before reading it.”

The event featured several speakers, including Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as “Joe the Plumber.” Among the organizers of the event were Howell resident Wendy Day, Holt resident Joan Fabiano, the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and Americans for Prosperity-Michigan.

“I’m here to talk about common sense. Common sense does not die. It does not get old,” said Wurzelbacher, who became a national celebrity last fall after he questioned then-candidate Obama about his proposed tax increase. “Bring common sense back to America.”

James Siller, 50, of Keego Harbor, agreed with Wurzelbacher that both Democratic and Republican leaders have failed to run the country sensibly.

“(Spending) is totally out of control,” said Siller, a project manager for a robotics firm who took time off work to be at Wednesday’s event. “I can’t watch TV and not be upset. If you want to stimulate the economy, you cut taxes.”

Dan Harrell, 59, a retired autoworker from Whitmore Lake who was carrying a sign that read, “Just say no to the Obama nation,” said national leaders should realize they can’t allow the country to borrow its way out of debt. He also criticized the Obama administration for micromanaging General Motors Corp., which has sought loans from the government.

“We’ve been closer to socialism in the past 100 days than we’ve ever been,” he said.

Additional Facts

The Lansing State Journal original article.

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