'Thomas Paine' at Winamac courthouse

Tea Party

Local residents gather
to protest big
government spending
... mortgaging the future

By Karen Clem Fritz

"I read as much of the stimulus package as Congress did"
- sign seen on child at rally

Over 40 local residents gathered on the courthouse lawn in Winamac Wednesday, April 15, to participate in a Tax Day Tea Party. Thousands of protesters across the county joined in similar demonstrations in towns and cities around the U.S. which were reported to be a part of a larger grassroots movement against government spending called Taxed Enough Already, or TEA.

The demonstrations were also reported to be inspired by comments made by CNBC’s Rick Santelli in which he questioned the federal mortgage bailout and challenged the government’s effort to "spend its way to prosperity by passing legislation that promotes bad behavior and punishes success."

The Associated Press reported that the tea parties were promoted by FreedomWorks, a conservative nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. and led by lobbyist Dick Armey of Texas, the former Republican House Majority Leader.

The Winamac event lasted about 20 minutes and was organized by Douglas Roth who encouraged residents to turn out for the event “with tasteful, appropriate signage” and American flags.

Tea Party participants display signs on the courthouse square.

A man portraying Thomas Paine addressed the crowd at the late afternoon event, and petitions were circulated to forward to President Obama and appropriate members of Congress. Paine is the well-remembered pamphleteer from the American Revolution era who published Common Sense in 1776, a strong defense of American Independence from England.

Remarks at the protest dealt with dissatisfaction with the cost President Obama's economic stimulus package, and fears that the president's policies are moving the country toward "big" government and socialism.

Participants were given red ribbons to wear or tie on their cars to symbolize their grievances.

A family with signs (dogs, too!) at the Tea Party

The rally proceeded without incident.

For more information about the event contact Roth by email at getengaged@ymail.com.