timesobserver.com
Crowd gathers for Tea Party
By COLIN KYLER ckyler@ timesobserver.com
POSTED: April 16, 2010

A crowd listens to speakers during the Tax Tea Party Thursday afternoon at the Warren County Court House.

An estimated 200 people rallied at the steps of the Warren County Courthouse late Thursday afternoon for the second annual Tax Day Tea Party, an event aimed at expressing concern over the current state of the government.

Eleven speakers addressed the rally:

Dave Slater stated rights have slowly eroded over the years, leaving citizens without the ability to live the kinds of lives they had come to expect. This situation would not have reached its current level, according to Slater, if states had shown backbone and pushed back against the federal government.

Event organizer Denny Bonace said the free society Americans live in affords us a wonderful opportunity to express their views such as during the tea party. Bonace added the Gettysburg Address described a government founded by the people, but the government now wants to buy the people.

Paul Leofsky said part of the nation's problems includes getting illegal immigrants to vote as quickly as possible and he said such a practice drags down the economy.

Larry Larson said the government passed a one-sided health care bill. Such a decision should revert to the citizens for their approval, Larson stated.

George Means said children need to learn the facts about the principles our ancestors built this nation upon. Means added parents should review student textbooks to discover what schools actually teach.

Al McIntosh said the time has arrived for people to avoid the end of freedom. This year concerned citizens will reverse that growing trend, McIntosh stated.

Jim Brinker said voters should know the credentials of candidates before casting their ballots. Citizens should support those who uphold the values of the tea party, Brinker said.

Ed Seabeck said the health care bill Congress passed last month mandates people to buy insurance. Seabeck said he and his wife never bought insurance until their daughter left college.

Gary Olsen said trial lawyers support politicians' campaigns and urged them to not pass tort reform. Doctors do make mistakes, Olsen said, but judges should not award punitive damages.

Tim Hagberg said he supports the necessary function of government but not its expansion. Taxes only result as a symptom of the problem, according to Hagberg.

Ash Khare said the country's strength comes from its people and not its government. Voters asked in 2008 for hope and change with unprecedented optimism, Khare stated, but instead received out-of-control spending.

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