You are hereTEA Party from the Street
TEA Party from the Street
By Sarah Erkmann
Hundreds of demonstrators turned out in force yesterday outside the Federal Building in Anchorage to voice opposition to recent, unprecedented spending by the federal government. The rally, which centered mainly on the intersection at Seventh Avenue and C Street, was part of a nationwide effort by myriad grassroots groups to protest the recent spate of government bailouts, the stimulus plan and resulting taxes.
Judy Eledge worked the bullhorn, whipping up the crowd and trying to get a chant started. When the chant fizzled, she joked that conservatives aren’t used to protesting. “This may be one area where the Democrats have us beat,” she joked. Later efforts proved successful when demonstrators broke into chants of “U-S-A” and sang the first verse of “God Bless America.”
The crowd, which swelled at one point to an estimated 1,700-2,200 people, was a colorful and enthusiastic bunch, and a party feeling was in the air. American flags were everywhere, as well as homemade signs with slogans like “Born Free, Taxed to Death,” “No U.S.S.A,” and “Congress is a Tax Pirate.” Erika Beachler brought her three year-old son Benjamin to the rally with the sign “Don’t Raid My Piggybank” attached to a stroller. Beachler said she is concerned about the direction the country is going. “I don’t want him to have to pay off this debt,” she said, pointing to Benjamin.
Continual horn honking by supporters driving by the scene seemed to buoy the crowd, while some attendees handed out tea bags, copies of the U.S. Constitution and absentee ballot information for May’s mayoral election. A speaker on the bullhorn exclaimed, “We are a nation that has a government, not the other way around!” Volunteers for the Dan Sullivan campaign and officials with the Alaska Republican Party also were on hand with yard signs and campaign information. Party chairman Randy Ruedrich said the party was not involved in organizing the event but made “a minimal effort to encourage people to show up.”
“It’s clear that people are not happy with the way things are going,” Ruedrich said. “There are a lot of regular folks out here who are getting involved in something for the first time.”
David Erickson took time off from work to join the demonstration. He said that not only is he concerned about the direction the country is headed, but the speed with which changes are being made. “It’s decision time for a lot of us,” he said. “We’re at a point where we have to ask ourselves whether we want to become like France or Sweden or do we get back to the fundamental values that have defined this country for years,” he said.
The national Tax Day Tea Party effort, which adopted its name in recognition of the Boston Tea Party of 1773, chose April 15 for the rallies in order to correspond with the infamous due date for filing federal tax returns. Organizing for tea tax parties began earlier this year when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, lashed out at Congress and the president for their support of the stimulus bill and the record-breaking federal budget. He later called for a Chicago tea party to protest the government’s actions, and the idea took off from there.
Demonstrations also were scheduled for Wasilla, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Soldotna, Homer, Ketchikan and Haines.
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As I wrote yesterday, I was there right at high noon. I estimated 300 people. Seventy five on each corner of the intersection. Okay, maybe 350 total, but maybe 250.
In other words, about one out of every thousand Anchorage residents. Meaningless, but it gave Fox something to cover, since actual news doesn't fit their worldview.
Yourself before you post. You make it way to easy to counter some of your points. Then to make matters worse, you get a poster like "jlucca" who can only throw out incorrect analogies of his "opponents" and repeatedly calls them "dolts". Must be the word of the day at his online GED course.
Anyhow Ms Erkmann back to your mistypes:
"Hundreds of demonstrators turned out in force yesterday outside the Federal Building in Anchorage to voice opposition to recent, unprecedented spending by the federal government."
Are you sure it was "hundreds" ? And this "recent, unprecedented" spending part...whoa nellie is that a doozie. In no way shape or form is this spending or stimulus or whatever "unprecedented" and it most definitely would not be recent. Maybe you should review the facts about the previous Admin. They had a stimulus too you know among some other high priced items.
Next...."The crowd, which swelled at one point to an estimated 1,700-2,200 people" Just a second ago it was "hundreds" now it is anywhere in the 1,700 to 2,000 range? This is what your last President (the "Decider") called fuzzy math.
"Continual horn honking by supporters driving by the scene seemed to buoy the crowd" Are you certain those horn honkers were "supporters"? I see a lot of other people during my daily drive through town honk at the other "homemade sign holders" asking for a handout or donation. Am I to assume that those honkers are supporters of those folks?
Although the most correct and accurate comment didn't really come from you it was someone you quoted, Randy Reudrich. “There are a lot of regular folks out here who are getting involved in something for the first time.” That statement was bolstered by the photo you chose to accompany this article. Good for you guys.
Spelling, grammar, and consistency should be important to this site. They're not.
Can you imagine trying to fact-check Penny Nixon? My god....
ColdBlue,
1. I was at the rally, and yes, hundreds of people were there. A simple head count in one particular area and then multiplying the number of similar areas was the method used to establish attendance. It is by its nature an imprecise science, but let me assure you, there were EASILY hundreds of attendees. Bear in mind, I covered this event as an observer, not as a participant. That is why I used the word "estimated" and relied on reports from others for their best guess as to how many people were there.
2. President Bush and his administration are included in the term "recent, unprecedented spending." Bush got the whole process started with his initial $700 billion bailout, and Obama is, as you know, continuing it with gusto. This event was non-partisan in that demonstrators were protesting against government (not party) spending and expansion and advocating for free market solutions to the economic crisis. Your comment is therefore misdirected.
3. Again, I was there and yes, the people honking horns, etc. were definitely supporters. They not only honked horns but smiled, waved, pumped fists, etc. Anyone with eyeballs would realize this. It could be said that perhaps those who DIDN'T honk were not supporters, but that is too presumptuous to report as fact.
4. Your last point doesn't make sense, so I won't reply to it directly.
And since you are allowing for so much latitude in opinion....I can actually call myself Non-Partisan or Moderate without being called a "Liberal" if I oppose what the Republican party says?
The point I made in closing had to do with how Ruedrich referred to some of those who were protesting were there for the first time. I basically illustrated my comment with a bit of irony in that you chose a picture of a child holding a sign under the title of your article. Perhaps this was his first protest? I do find it interesting that there were a large number of children in the "crowds" during this protest.
So you are trying to actually convince me that in the hundreds of thousands of millions (please note sarcasm) protesters around the country weren't doing this because they think that Obama and the Democrats are at fault for what is going on? You may not but not so sure about the others you were talking to or about. When I hear things like "we have to take back our country" without suggesting an alternative solution and see signs that repeatedly read "NObama" and the like at these rallys, I have a hard time thinking otherwise.
Sorry I graduated from the Zoolander School for kids that don't read so good. I also aplogize for my incorect speling. But my lack of proffreading doesn't diminish my point, likewise your spellchecked/ Liberal Daily Kos approved, dishonest post is not enhanced by your wonerful command of the English language.
You're being dishonest with yourself and the readers of these post by trying to claim that you're a non-partisan or Moderate. A quick review of your posts on previous articles reveal your extreme liberal bias and disdain for the majority of readers and posters alike.
Did you get rejected by the Daily Kos crowd because you couldn't quite down to their standards? Or are you a frustrated "writer" that couldn't get their material published becasue it was too "edgy" and you decided to try and hone your skills before you tried your hand at blogging?
Jlucca: Some of your reply to me was originally intended for someone else. Daily Kos? Is that code for Daily News?
Not frustrated at all about my "writing". I enjoy debating most that is politico. And as is true to form, when I attempt to identify myself as NP and/or Moderate I usually get the reply you chose. Nothing new there. In fact, if you would like to ask me my political views of particular items I will be happy to share. You probably would be surprised. I just like to factcheck about what I read and not go off half-cocked about subjects. I really don't get too emotional about anything, especially politics. I realize that it is almost impossible to "report" the news without a hint of opinion. What bothers me is when it is out and out blatant....ergo FoxNews and MSNBC as a few examples.
Nevertheless, I welcome your opinion and challenge. No matter how incorrect. Your posting here shows that you care about what is going on which is cool. Even if you are wrong.
...then children should not make appearances at any demonstrations, irrespective of the cause. Justin G-Unit, you say that children can't make up their own minds on the issues of the day and so anyone taking their kids to a rally is therefore exploiting them. If the issue is them not having formed opinions of their own, then their presence at any kind of protest, be it for global warming, Barack Obama or gay rights, is, in your mind, irresponsible. If that's the case, then you have some serious explaining to do to your political friends- children are a mainstay of political rallies on the right AND left.
I disagree with your premise. I would argue that most parents are trying to teach two lessons to children they bring to a rally 1) civics 101, or how our government works and 2) family values, meaning, in our family, this is what we believe. Yes, young children don't have their own opinions, but they are free to shape their own as they grow up and become independent. Still, it a parent's responsibility to instill some kind of framework for how to look at the world. It bears repeating that the child in question can either accept or reject this framework when they begin to think for themselves. The same is true for religion.
In short, it's called parenting. Last time I checked, both conservatives and liberals want what is best for their children. We should applaud their efforts at involving their children in the big issues of our time and look forward to the day when they can choose their own way as well, even if it means disagreeing with their parents.
I like how you use a picture of a little kid, holding a sign at the picket line. I find that very disturbing. That child does not have a choice to be at the rally or not, and to make him sit there and hold a sign in a anti-tax rally should be illegal. Shows how low conservatives will stoop to convey their message. Just like Sarah Palin and her children. I guess birds of a feather flock together.
The monumental increase in spending wouldn't be necessary if George Bush, the Republicans and the Democratic sell outs had not approved tax cuts for the rich and the unnecessary invasion and occupation of Iraq. The reality is all right there smacking you in the forehead! It's amazing the lengths of denial people will take to avoid looking at their own culpability in the destruction that has been wrought on our economy by these industry elitists, the corporate media and our self serving politicians. You would rather play Fox's Fiddle and help America burn than take a good hard look in the mirror and honestly and critically weigh all the information.
It's class warfare. They are using your ignorance of politics against you and the rest of middle America. They are playing you all like stupid pawns with emotional language they know makes you tick.
Your like the mother who refuses to believe their child when they report they are being sexually abused by the father. Better to live in denial than to admit your partner is actually the abuser. Sad, unjust and infuriating.
The fact the the democratic congress basically forced banks to make loans to people that couldn't afford houses is what got us in this mess. There is culpability on the Republican side as well when it comes to passing the deregulation that allowed this to happen. Liberal dolts like you want to fix a wrong with an even greater miscarriage of taxes. I'm pretty sure you don't actually make enough to pay taxes outside of what the state pays you each year from the PFD so you don't care. You expect a handout from people that have worked hard to improve their lives, you probably think that being successfully is mostly just luck or based on who you know. Talk about denial.
I guess I'm an eltist becasue I work hard and don't want to give you my money
Your analogy is disgusting and completely off base. I expect that from a liberal. I doubt you even have a Liberal Arts education.
... surprise, surprise, more "lazy poor" rebuttals. You can always count on the classicist republicans to drop this one right out of the gate.
I am a small business owner for the last three years and usually work everyday, sometimes 16 hour days. Sorry your little analogy doesn't pan out. I have a college education too, but it is not in Liberal Arts. I have never collected food stamps or unemployment either, if your going to go down that road too. I have always had a job for the last 24 years.
No, I am an American that cares for all Americans, even you. An American who works to see that the pursuit of liberty, justice and happiness is truly available for all Americans, not just those at the top or the tea-baggers who suckle underneath them hoping to gain access into their exclusive club.
"The problem with socialisim is eventually you run out of other people's money"
M.Thatcher
Blackandmild you are a dunce. We don't like the way the government is spending our money now and are terrified what you Socialists will want to do with our money in the future. Among the few things we don't want our money on: federal funding of ACORN, abortions, earmarks, and dolts like you who feel agrieved over some past or present imaginary injustice.
I'm sure you cheer the idot WTO protesters who cause mayhem and achieve no purpose. Protests like yesterday are civil and with a clear goal in mind.
Get out of your parents basement, change out of you sweat pants, and get a job. Then maybe you will feel the same anger when the government takes money out of your paycheck.
Grab your guns children! The socialist are coming! Be "terrified!"
I guess they have some of you right where they want you. Good greif.
do you realy believe our taxes will decrease? When the bill comes down for all this outlandish spending the gonernment has been doing for many many years, who do think is going to get the bill?
Sounds good. I guess we are getting to him....and you
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Jesus' sheep will always follow blindly