Thousands Protest Obama Policies In Nashville

Nashville Cap and Tax and Obamacare Tea Party

Thousands Protest Obama Policies In Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Four thousand local protestors took over Legislative Plaza Monday to protest a new energy initiative by President Obama. The "tea party" protest also took aim at universal health care.

The event marked the third time this year protestors have held similar rallies in Nashville.

"More than half of Americans feel the way I do," said protestor Karen Entz. "That should be represented on the national news, and it's not."

Protestors said they felt like their conservative voice has not been heard. They want that to change.

"It is going to be a nightmare for our economy," said Ben Cunningham with the Tennessee Tax Revolt.

President Obama's new energy bill passed the House passed last Friday. Obama believes it will help clean up the environment.

Protesters heard speeches from conservative talk radio hosts and a handful of Republican state lawmakers. Several waved "Don't Tread on Me" flags and homemade signs that included slogans like "Overthrow Congress" and "Revolt Against Socialism."

Protestors in Nashville believe it could cause energy bills to skyrocket.

"It may triple or quadruple the cost of energy that you are going to be paying with your electric bill, your heating bill, the best case scenario is its just going to double," said talk radio host Steve Gill.

Many of those in attendance also voiced their opinions against universal health care. Pamela Cain is one of them. Cain said she and her veteran husband have had a taste of government coverage.

"We have had some bad experiences, so I wouldn't want to see anyone else go down that route," said Cain.

There was an overwhelming sense among protestors that government is getting too big and too intrusive. The conservative movement called for Obama to back down on spending, and get out of their lives.

"It's basically saying to the American citizens, ‘We don't trust you making decisions on your own.' The federal government has got to get involved in every decision you make," said

"There's a lot of people that are totally unaware of what the government is doing - forcing us down to socialism," said protestor Lawrence Elkin.

The crowd gave loud cheers following comments critical of climate change legislation passed by the U.S. House last week and Obama's Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

The House did pass the energy bill, but its future looks uncertain in the U.S. Senate.

White House officials believe the bill will spur innovation by creating incentives for companies to produce, or use cleaner energy. The President also believes the energy bill will create jobs.

Another "tea party" event in Nashville was set for Thursday.

(The Associated Press Contributed to this report.)

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