Tea Party!

[Valmy]

raised taxes didn't he?

He did and it was the right thing to do.  He was trying to fight the deficit God bless him.

[Razgovory]

Well, true.  Conservatives & Libertarians generally suck at protesting, because as the more productive members of society, they're usually too busy working.

[Admiral Yi]

And spending increased dramatically under Reagan.

Military spending increased dramatically under Reagan, but is the same true for total spending?

[Razgovory]

And spending increased dramatically under Reagan.

Military spending increased dramatically under Reagan, but is the same true for total spending?

As Military spending is part of spending (a large part of it), spending as a whole went up.  Which is why the deficit ballooned during his presidency.

[Savonarola]

Why weren't many of these same people carrying out tax protests during the 8 years ? 

It could be that the trillions in bail outs and stimulus have finally awakened the public conscience; however I think the answer is more along these lines:

Every Wednesday for the past 5 years or so there were a group of anti-War protestors who gathered on the busy streets in the middle of my suburb.  Even in the cold Michigan winters they were there with their clumsily made placards encouraging us to End This War!  Early this year they quit doing that.  The wars are still going on, in fact Barack has promised to escalate Afghanistan, but the war protestors are gone.  I miss them.   

[Ed Anger]

Why weren't many of these same people carrying out tax protests during the 8 years ? 

It could be that the trillions in bail outs and stimulus have finally awakened the public conscience; however I think the answer is more along these lines:

Every Wednesday for the past 5 years or so there were a group of anti-War protestors who gathered on the busy streets in the middle of my suburb.  Even in the cold Michigan winters they were there with their clumsily made placards encouraging us to End This War!  Early this year they quit doing that.  The wars are still going on, in fact Barack has promised to escalate Afghanistan, but the war protestors are gone.  I miss them.   

GOD DAMN BUSHITLER!

[Valmy]

Every Wednesday for the past 5 years or so there were a group of anti-War protestors who gathered on the busy streets in the middle of my suburb.  Even in the cold Michigan winters they were there with their clumsily made placards encouraging us to End This War!  Early this year they quit doing that.  The wars are still going on, in fact Barack has promised to escalate Afghanistan, but the war protestors are gone.  I miss them.  

I think that just about sums it up.

[Caliga]

It could be that the trillions in bail outs and stimulus have finally awakened the public conscience; however I think the answer is more along these lines:

Every Wednesday for the past 5 years or so there were a group of anti-War protestors who gathered on the busy streets in the middle of my suburb.  Even in the cold Michigan winters they were there with their clumsily made placards encouraging us to End This War!  Early this year they quit doing that.  The wars are still going on, in fact Barack has promised to escalate Afghanistan, but the war protestors are gone.  I miss them.   

Any hot chicks?

[Fireblade]

Gov. Rick Perry: Texas Could Secede, Leave Union

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax "tea party" Wednesday with his stance against the federal government and for states' rights as some in his U.S. flag-waving audience shouted, "Secede!"

An animated Perry told the crowd at Austin City Hall -- one of three tea parties he was attending across the state -- that officials in Washington have abandoned the country's founding principles of limited government. He said the federal government is strangling Americans with taxation, spending and debt.

Perry repeated his running theme that Texas' economy is in relatively good shape compared with other states and with the "federal budget mess." Many in the crowd held signs deriding President Barack Obama and the $786 billion federal economic stimulus package.

Perry called his supporters patriots. Later, answering news reporters' questions, Perry suggested Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to secede from the union, though he said he sees no reason why Texas should do that.

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

He said when Texas entered the union in 1845 it was with the understanding it could pull out. However, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas negotiated the power to divide into four additional states at some point if it wanted to but not the right to secede.

Texas did secede in 1861, but the North's victory in the Civil War put an end to that.

Perry is running for re-election against U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a fellow Republican. His anti-Washington remarks have become more strident the past few weeks as that 2010 race gets going and since Perry rejected $550 million in federal economic stimulus money slated to help Texas' unemployment trust fund.

Perry said the stimulus money would come with strings attached that would leave Texas paying the bill once the federal money ran out.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, also Republicans, have been outspoken against the federal economic stimulus spending and were supportive of tea parties in their states. The protests were being held throughout the country on federal income tax deadline day to imitate the original Boston Tea Party of American revolutionary times.

In an appearance at the Texas Capitol last week, Perry joined state lawmakers in pushing a resolution that supports states' rights protected in the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He said the federal government has become oppressive in its size and interference with states.

Since then, Perry has been featured on the online Drudge Report, and other conservative commentators and citizens have latched on to his words.

After praising veterans in the cheering crowd Wednesday, he said: "I'm just not real sure you're a bunch of right-wing extremists. But if you are, we're with you."

Perry said he believes he could be at the center of a national movement that is coordinated and focused in its opposition to the actions of the federal government.

"It's a very organic thing," he said. "It is a very powerful moment, I think, in American history."

For her part, Hutchison issued a newspaper opinion piece Wednesday criticizing the Democratic-led Congress for spending on the stimulus bill and the $1 trillion appropriations bill.

"On April 15 -- Tax Day -- some in Congress may need a reminder of just who is underwriting this spending: the American taxpayer. I am deeply concerned over the swelling tax burden that will be imposed on all Texas families," she wrote.

The crowd at the Austin tea party appeared to be decidedly anti-Democrat. Many of the speakers were Republicans and Libertarians.

One placard said, "Stop Obama's Socialism." Another read, "Some Pirates Are in America," and it showed photographs of Obama, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wearing pirate hats.

Rebecca Knowlton, 45, of Smithville, said she took the day off of home-schooling her three children and brought them to the rally to teach them about civic duty. Knowlton, a critic of the Social Security system and the United Nations, said she felt camaraderie at the demonstration.

"The movement is growing stronger," she said. "You're not alone."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/15/gov-rick-perry-texas-coul_n_187490.html

Good riddance. Let those shitkicking retards go.

[KRonn]

They chose the income tax filing deadline to express their displeasure with government spending since President Barack Obama took office.

Huh?  Obama has pretty much done the exact same thing as his predecessors.  What has changed?

I'm just quoting the article, italicizing the first parts of it. But I think many of us, no matter the party, feel that Pres Obama and Congress has been embarking on new programs and spending, well over and above economic stimulus. There's been much concern about the spending, whether it be for bailouts or new programs. We've all been talking about it for weeks!

As for me, I don't see this as so much anti-Obama as as protest over business as usual with Congress, and what ever Presidential administration is in power. Things are coming to a boil with the economy, so that had to add to protests over spending. The stuff we've also been talking about for weeks. Aside from the kooks, those with the "Impeach Obama" posters or something, most of the people there are workers, taxpayers, regular folks; not right wing zealots. Glad to see the protests actually. We're so used to seeing Code Pink and similar extremist groups in virtual protest, that finally more regular people are speaking out.

[Valmy]

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent

I love how the Republican Party losing elections means to Perry Washington is thumbing their nose at the American people.

God he is a fuckhead.

[Faeelin]

As for me, I don't see this as so much anti-Obama as as protest over business as usual with Congress, and what ever Presidential administration is in power.

[Valmy]

They chose the income tax filing deadline to express their displeasure with government spending since President Barack Obama took office.

Huh?  Obama has pretty much done the exact same thing as his predecessors.  What has changed?

I'm just quoting the article, italicizing the first parts of it. But I think many of us, no matter the party, feel that Pres Obama and Congress has been embarking on new programs and spending, well over and above economic stimulus. There's been much concern about the spending, whether it be for bailouts or new programs. We've all been talking about it for weeks!

As for me, I don't see this as so much anti-Obama as as protest over business as usual with Congress, and what ever Presidential administration is in power. Things are coming to a boil with the economy. The stuff we've also been talking about for weeks. Aside from the kooks, those with the "Impeach Obama" posters or something, most of the people there are workers, taxpayers, regular folks; not right wing zealots. Glad to see the protests actually. We're so used to seeing Code Pink and similar extremist groups in virtual protest, that finally more regular people are speaking out.

Right it is business as usual.  Nothing new.  I am fine with protesting that but that is not what is going on here.  It is a trojan horse to sneak the Republicans back into power unreformed.  They will hijack the frustrations with the Feds all the while keeping the party going.  Fuck them.  I will not be manipulated into thinking people like Perry and the other Republicans mean a word they say.  Their actions speak volumes.

I also note protests like this only seem to happen when Clinton and Obama are in power.  Color me cynical.

[KRonn]

Wow, after the various and numerous left wing groups protesting everything, all the hate and nastiness spewed, we finally have regular people protesting govt business as usual and all the anger that has caused, and Languish can't handle it! You all should be protesting too! This may be against Obama for some, but in large part it's also non-partisan protesting by angry and concerned taxpayers. About frigging time!!

[Valmy]

Wow, after the various and numerous left wing groups protesting everything, all the hate and nastiness spewed, we finally have regular people protesting govt business as usual and all the anger that has caused, and Languish can't handle it! You all should be protesting too! This may be against Obama for some, but in large part it's also non-partisan protesting by angry and concerned taxpayers. About frigging time!!

Um...finally?  You act like this has never happened before.  It is the 90s all over again.  Business as usual.  Where were these guys when we were running up huge deficits and bullshit before?  Oh right they didn't care because the Republicans were in power.  But in 1993 they were FURIOUS at out of control spending and taxes.  It is amazing how outrage over spending goes away as soon as red controls the Congress.

And yes I have never given leftists shit before on this board.