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Taxed Enough Already was the theme at the TEA Party held from 2-7 p.m. yesterday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. It was one of hundreds of TEA Parties that took place across the country on April 15 Tax Day to protest government spending, targeting President Obama and the new health bill.
Police estimate that the Pleasanton TEA Party drew about 10,000 people from throughout the Bay Area, many of whom waved American flags and held “Taxed Enough Already” signs. Some carried homemade placards with messages such as “The White House is now a red house” and “Time for real change.”
Despite the passionate written rhetoric, the mood was mellow in the warm afternoon sun as folks visited booths representing Republican candidates, the Tri-Valley Patriots, KSFO and the Contra Costa GOP among others. A Kids Jump Zone was set up to one side although the crowd was mostly mature and predominantly white.
Speakers were scheduled every 15 minutes interspersed with band performances to rally the faithful. Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, spoke at 3 p.m., blasting U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California), who has been representing California for 28 years.
“The truth is people like Barbara Boxer don’t have a clue where jobs come from, they don’t know who create jobs,” Fiorina said to cheers. “The federal government does not create the American dream although the federal government can surely destroy the American dream.”
Other candidates included San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson, who is running in the June 8 Republican Party primary for a chance to oppose for Assembly District 15 against Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), and David Harmer of San Ramon, who is vying for the Republican nomination to oppose U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D., 11th) in November.
There was at least one person in attendance with a different message. Steve Martinez from Livermore wore an Obama T-shirt and carried a sign that read, “You think the wars you endorse are free? Your fear is harmful AND expensive” on one side and “Just say ‘NO’ to the party of ‘NO’ – Start by turning off Faux News” on the other.
“I’m not really anti-TEA Party,” he said. “I’m anti-war and anti-made-up news.”
He said that a man asked him to go, then found a policeman to tell him that it was a private party and he’d have to leave.
“The cop was really cool about it,” said Martinez.
At least one neighbor objected to the TEA Party. Cheryl Hunter, a 20-year Pleasanton resident, said she was unhappy to see a huge sign on the corner of Bernal Avenue and Valley reading, “Fire McNerney.”
“He’s our representative and I don’t know why they are allowed to be there and put that sign up,” she said. “I hate all the hateful stuff.”
Last year’s April 15 tax day rally was held at Amador Valley Community Park in Pleasanton and drew about 2,000-3,000.
“I hate all the hateful stuff.”
LOL!! liberal hypocrisy
Absolutely, Nodic! At least we have the honesty to admit it!
I guess Pleasanton is the new hub for white nationalist bigots from around the state.
Great job americans joining together peacefully to voice your right of free speech. Great time, good music, good conversation, and nice people.
Another gathering of white, middle class, social security cashing, medicare accepting teapotters….
Just who are those in the tea cup? Well, according to a NYT/CBS News poll released April 14th, those who identify with and support the Tea Party movement are:
89% white
59% men
75% 45 and older
70% married
65% mid to upper class
50% attend church weekly to almost every week
56% are employed; 32% are retired
36% make 50-100K per year; 20% make more than 100K
78% rate their financial situation fairly good to very good
59% think Obama was born in another country or don’t know
52% say too much has been made of the problems facing black people in recent years
45% want to reduce the fed govt; 6% each cut budget or taxes; 7% elect their own candidate; 9% create jobs
52% think the income tax they will pay this year is fair
49% would choose cutting taxes over cutting the deficit (42%)
49% are receiving Social Security, 43% are covered by Medicare, and 62% say the benefits are worth the cost
32% do not approve of requiring health insurance companies to cover anyone who applies for health insurance regardless of whether or not they have an existing medical condition or a prior illness
40% say gay couples should have no legal recognition
32% say abortion should not be permitted; 53% say Roe v Wade was a “bad thing”
58% have a gun in their household
59% have a favorable opinion of Glenn Beck
40% think Palin would be an effective President
And 84% of the people involved in the Tea Party think their movement generally reflects the views of most Americans . . . now that’s food for thought!
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/14/us/politics/20100414-tea-party-poll-graphic.html
Why does it seem all the TeaBaggers take the view that everyone NOT a Teabagger is on some public assistance, dead-beat, hand out, program? I’m totally against what they stand for but…..I’ve been gainfully employeed for 35+ plus years, fought for my country in Viet Nam, and don’t break the laws set by society. All that’s lacking at these rallies is the music of Lawarece Welk and Up With People. Sad day for Pleasanton.
MikeD, where do you get that from? If you look at the polling information above you’ll see that a large percentage receives some form of government assistance.
Why do the people above attack anyone critical of excessive govenment spending and control as being white bigots and racists? The numnbers above are interested but irrelevant without being compared to non-TEA partiers.
didn’t you guys already have this discussion on a previous thread … what’s up … less rants and raves and more “deep insight” … what does this mean for Carla Forina for example?
That was fun.
Where were these people when our GOP leadership was digging the hole we find ourselves in?
PS I should have said that I was anti-made-up and as such un-necessary war because I still support giving our best effort to the previously neglected Afghanistan effort.
You are easy to control when you are driven by your nightmares. The tea party only exists to legitimize a conservative movement that was all but destroyed by its politics. The tea party is just the reason needed to make republicans sound less nuts.
People will legitimize the less nuts republican platform to distance themselves from the lunatic fringe. You fears makes people useful idiots.
I’m curious about who paid for this event.
Does anyone know?
It must have cost a bunch with the space AND the free fairgrounds parking which I’ve never seen.
According to a Boy Scout leader they had the whole site reserved until this event came up and they were told that they had to share with the TEA people.
My favorite sign said:
Thanks Obama- I’m proud to pay my taxes for a safer-less corrupt-more compassionate USA
She was kicked out of the party too. :sad
Steve,
Most of these people have been getting mad for the past 10 or 20 years. When the idiotic level of spending under the Republican lead congress exploded under the Democrat lead Congress it began to boil over. The apathy is ending.
Why do you support this staggering level of deficit spending, debt, mismanagement of public funds, and corruption from our elected officials?
Is the Tea Party a Mexican or Black kind of thing?
This whole tax protest thing is ridiculous. Taxes have gone down, and the teabaggers are still complaining.
It was nice to see all of the people there and the level of engagement by all concerned. Even the anti tea party people were nice. I spoke with them a bit and even though I did not agree with them they were fun polite and entertaining. It was nice to see people from various parts of the bay area and hear their points of view and Cholo it is not about race it is about free speech and free choice. Only small minded people or someone with a different agenda would be threatened by people gathering together to discuss how to improve our country.
SteveP – what does this statement imply?
“critics of any free speech that’s not theirs, are all out of town plants from Berserkely or Bahgdad by the Bay.”
Are you suggesting that people that disagree with the largely white/male/Glenn Beck adoring mindset do not live here? And – what is “Baghdad (which I’m pretty sure you mean by “Bahgdad”) by the Bay?”?
For the record – I live here and do not support the Tea Party fiasco, and I do find those that do are wildly out of touch with reality and often grab on to ridiculous notions (death panels, microchip implants..)to incite fear and inflate their numbers. I have never received any kind of public assistance and I donate a large portion of my income to non-profits (I also work in one). I feel honored to have a president who received the Nobel Prize and is finally going to get on board with the rest of the developed nations and make sure every person receives access to health care.
Hi Bored,
It’s interesting how the GOP led TEA people pretend that they aren’t part of the problem and how they were very quiet as we went from a prosperous Clinton economy to the devastation of the Bush economy.
I don’t support a continued level of our present spending BUT I do support our need to jump start an economy that would have had a devastating effect on our country. (That and the loss of tax revenues we’ve seen as a result of the dip, we’re now turning around, is the reason for the deficit.) I see the bailouts as triage for the country and now that the patient is stable we can get on with the recovery.
Blaming Obama for the need to spend us out of this mess is to deny the facts.
Steve,
You should attempt to join one of the Tea Party events so that you can see for yourself. There was not discussion of President Obama nor President Bush. The discussion and conversation centered entirely on spending money responsibility. For those of you who count and it seems as if some on here do, there were blacks, hispanics, young, old and everything in between there.
Steve,
I think if you could get past the notion that this is a GOP group you would find a lot of common ground. I wasn’t able to go to the event but I don’t think you would find overwhelming support for the performance of the GOP. Democrats and Republicans should be demanding fiscal responsibility from our government.
Based on what you have said, you and I and many of the Tea partiers probably agree more than we disagree about government spending. Events like these, left or right, will always attract some kooks.
It is not free speech when political hacks “design” your message platform; then you just repeat it. Is it free when your speech is “designed” to offend those you disagree? Once you offend people they are not going to listen to what you want by design. This is like duh 101, or am I missing something here?
Is it coincidence you can’t make a political point without injecting your own prejudice? Your freedom of speech is a message platform designed by political hacks.
The only Racist in the room are you liberals that play that card every chance you get.
Im a “Perez” and a Tea party participant.
Why do these Progressives want everyone else to pay for their greed. If they support higher taxes….they should start paying there is a space for that on a tax form (if they have ever soon one).
would they support a replacement of the income tax with a national sales tax.. and make it a fair tax for everyone.
Even with absolute fairness, they will claim racism even though they are actually the baiters of such topict.
Different TV stations carried some footage of the gathering. I was very offended by the sign which showed Hitler next to Obama–that is the kind of idiocy that turns people off to the Tea party anti-tax message. and…I paid less tax this year.
I find the above article long on opinion and one sided reporting and short on actual recording of the event. “The crowd was mostly mature and predominantly white.” Says who? Another slam on anyone trying to figure out what actually happened there. I happen to work full time – so unfortunately, I could not go, but my non white female status does not fit the reporters stereotype of who supports less taxes. What did all of the other speakers cover?
For the person who said their taxes went down this year- well, just wait a couple of years when this massive program takes effect. You will not feel of this for several years- In the meantime, be aware of how many other taxes you will pay. Don’t just look at income tax. VAT tax is being discussed, as well as an energy tax and restraints on how you sell your home or IF you will be able to without spending a lot of money on “energy conservation” measures that will be mandatory. It’s this kind of punitive law that got Prop. 13 started. VAT and Cap and Trade will cause a lot of suffering. Follow the money- who stands to make the most money by forcing people to pay more for everything they work for, buy and try to leave to their kids. We object to the power and money grab. It IS our money for Pete’s sake!
Today we have socialism for the poor and very wealthy, and capitalism for the middle class. Tea party people are standing up for the middle class that so far have been too silent and acquiescent on the matter of our hard earned money getting spent wisely. FINALLY the middle class has a voice.
Mr Perez, this statement:
“Why do these Progressives want everyone else to pay for their greed.”
is mischaracterizing of those of us who are not in line with the Tea Party hyperpole.
I am not greedy in the least. Quite the contrary, I am fine contributing more so that everyone can have access to medical care – which I consider a basic necessity. I see no reason to continue to pay in to a system whereby individuals are forced into costly hospitalizations and treatment because they don’t have insurance to cover preventive care. I’m also tired of seeing coverage denied for a disabled member of my family who contributes just as much as everyone else in health insurance premiums.
Rat Turd – spending money responsibly should include the reality that we are involved in a senseless war, endangering our military and impacting our budget in extremely irresponsible terms.
I watched some of the footage from Tea Party events last night. Several of the speakers were complete extremists, some inciting violence (one actually stated that he was a “Tea Party terrorist” and was called a “true American” by the representative that was there). Why would I waste my time at such an event?
Wayne, you’re suggesting that these people should be silenced because you find their position offensive? There’s no need to protect “polite” speech.
Joanna, were you equally offended by posters of Bush with swastikas? I used to see them all the time at demonstrations in San Francisco.
Sharon,
my statement was for the progressive movement not to you. I to would like to see quality health care for your family as well as my own family of 5. I to pay high premiums for health care insurance. The model used by The current admin is one that has been tried and failed right here in our own country. Medicare and SSI were nothing more than a pyramid scheme to pander to a scared and venerable public. It created a tax on the middle tax with promises that could never be kept. It has since ballooned beyond belief by any standard. At the current rate the programs are busted which has require our Federal Gov. to borrow and print money to cover the cost. This is nothing more than hidden taxes on every one with a dollar to their name. Unsustainable is an overused word to illicit fear and give authority to the very criminals that have raided the public treasury. However it is an understatement to the current dilemma we now find our country in. Assertions fly from both parties on the subject to gain advantage in the public debate, but the truth is there are no political will to do what is necessary to save this Country for my family and for yours. The Federal Gov. and the progressive policies have broke the bank and the greed of our leaders will continue to hasten our down fall. If “We the people” are not willing to stop the bleeding no one will and there will be nothing left for anyone.
As we sit here today the State is Broke and borrowing. The Feds are taxing, spending and borrowing……….You and all Americans should see the futility in this strategy. One only needs to look at Europe for a contemporary example. They have done the same thing as we are now doing and the problem is simply getting worse. At some point, I believe sooner than later we will have the same problems as Greece and iceland are experiencing. Total collapse is not pretty and hard to imagine in our great nation, but it is indeed coming on the current path, it is unavoidable.
Even today the President attempted to take credit for new jobs, as the unemployment rate is increases. We are being let to a slaughter.
STOP!!! Seriously people!!! I don’t get it!
We all fundamentally want the same things! Right or left, Liberal, Conservative….we all want to have a say. We ALL pay ALOT of our personal income to pay the salaries of governemnt officials.
And we STILL have to pay their salaries even when they don’t listen to us! We all want the rights to our own pursuits. For freedom. It’s unbelievable all the name calling, stero-typing, mean spirited judgement being cast on the “other” group.(from which ever “group” you are in).
Come on!!! Start acting like adult AMERICANS! The reason this country can’t get anything done is because of all of the arguing, mud slinging,name calling and “offended” people!! GET OVER IT!!! PLEASE!!! What’s going on in our Country is BIGGER than any of this- at any time!! Do you realize you are following the example of the politicians and the media? Those are tactics they use. We are not politicians and I know that “WE THE PEOPLE” are better than that!!
WE will never accomplish ANYTHING if we don’t stop all the nonsense!!In order for us to make our voices heard… We have to come together. We have to agree to dissagree on certain issues, but we have to work together to defend our rights and to build a better, safer, stonger America!! Isn’t THAT what really MATTERS at the end of the day??
Hi Rat Turd
I’m not sure which rally you want to but I heard and saw lots of anti-Obama speech and signs as well as hyperbole (“the desired tracking of Americans by issuing national ID cards”, “socialism to consolidate power and to force us to be like (Heaven forbid) Europe” Birthers in general, etc.)
Then you add to that their endorsement of people like Palin as their spokesperson and the fact that they had me removed from their event because I:
1. Like Obama (As shown by the shirt)
2. Think they should understand that their endorsement of war is a big part of our present spending. (Thus the sign Sign)
3. Think that it’s harmful that they get their news and talking points from single source (faux news) that uses emotion to steer the discussion at the expense of intellect. (Thus the sign)
I must have missed the people of color that you mention because the only people of color I saw were across the street in the pit that the TEA people set aside from them/us so that any opposing view could be comfortable sequestered.
That’s nice sentiment Bored but having seen and heard what these people endorse, say and “sign” I’ll pass on joining the VERY obvious endorsers of right wing desires.
I’m sure I’ll vote for a Republican again like I did with Ronnie, both Bush’s (once), Arnold etc. but until they clean house and marginalize the harmful nuts they can count me out.
It would probably take the rest of this beautiful afternoon to read all the comments so I won’t. The sampling I did read tell me that they’re are a lot of “pots” calling the “kettles” black and of course much of it is blind prejudice (prejudging) and a ton of simple mindedness. The NYT survey seemed abit misleading to me (what’s new?) with several inconsistencies, and those that think it was a bad day for Pleasanton? Well let me just say that the statement contains an oxymoron. Power to the people, big government has rarely solved anything. In fact it has usually gotten in the way of solutions.
I finally get it … first, determining how America is going to move in any direction by detailing the type of person that goes to a Tea Baggers Party OR the type of person that is Progressive is like predicting the winner of a Championship Game by describing the spectators in the arena. You guys can spend all night and day ripping each other apart (…something like football fans at a sports bar) … but it has NOTHING … ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the outcome of the game. VOTE. Score points. The team with the most points at the end of the game WINS. Keep your eye on the prize … that’s winning … we should be detailing which candidates are the best to be elected in the upcoming elections. Of course, we can continue deluding ourselves by thinking thinking the color of paint we put on our face before the game and how loud we scream at the bar is going to make difference … well that’s another problem.
Steve,
You were the guy with the Obama shirt? I actually saw you over in the protest area. Good for you. Yes, I was there and yes I saw and heard many patriotic things and many comments against the war…s. I also agree with you that Obama’s expansion of the Afghanistan War is expensive and terrible. I believe we need to reduce waste and put our money back in the states helping our own people not countries which care little for freedoms or the people of the US. I did not hear one thing hateful about President Obama. I will say in the past they I did witness and hear many dreadful things against Presidents Bush and Clinton.
Rat Turd,
Perhaps it was the shirt that generated the comments.
Or perhaps you were around a more thoughtful group than I encountered. :dunno
Re-read what I wrote about our Afghanistan effort and get back to me.
Bored, It is not free speech when it is designed to be ignored by those you disagree. If you wanted your speech to be free you would speak in a manner so that it could be understood equally by all.
I would never suggest you stop doing what your doing. You have every right to be the bigot you want to be. As I am free to point it out and why your bigotry is easy for your handlers to scare you action. I think what your doing is great for the progressive movement in this country. You have only managed to further alienate you ideas from what is acceptable.
This story’s photo #3 sums up the event: “I have a dream…we have a nightmare.” Anti-Obama and racist, at the same time.
One thing I didn’t hear at this rally that struck me as somewhat odd was any condemnation of bank and banker abuses.
I’m not sure why it wasn’t mentioned but you’d think that when a person condemns financial exploitation you’d expect them to point out those who’ve benefited most from the practice.
(I ask because IF I had a third side to my sign I would have mentioned bank abuse and the GOP’s unwillingness to endorse the needed fixes.)
for those of you who attended…you know how peaceful and hopeful this gathering was. for those of you who did not attend and only saw what the mainstream media chose to show you…well let’s just say they only picked out a few bad apples to make all of us look bad. the only violent person I encountered was the channel 7 camera woman who told me to back the F off when I was on my way to the porta potty, I guess I got too close to the reporter. Then there was an older gentleman with a mega phone that was having a teenager film his rants before the 2:00 speeches even started. He was escorted out but securtiy told me they let him back in once he promised to leave his megaphone in his car and behave himself. he stood right in front of the stage against a tree only 10 feet or so from me and before the day was over was clapping and truly looked like he was enjoying himself. So to sum it up, free speech means just that, not free speech just for those who expect free things. oh and for whoever was asking who paid for this…it was all donations, not your tax dollars.
Steve,
Re read your comments and do not understand what you are saying about the war in Afghanistan. I am against it and did not speak with anyone there who is for it. I think it is a waste of our young peoples lives. The country has not and cannot be controlled for any meaningful length of time. Heck, throughout history armies have gone around the country because it is not possible to win there. In addition, we have no business being there no more than we should still be in Iraq.
m: great analogy, all too true. We do tend to get bogged down in our respective “sides” and listen most to the pundits that deliver the messages we want to here.
At the end of the day, the most meaningful information I have is that which compromises (and has for many years) health care for members of my family and patients/clients at the office where I work. I’ll continue to pay attention to their experience and work toward seeing important changes through.
Sharon
I applaud your perspective on the problem.
Teapartylover,
I was booted from your party because my “message wasn’t welcome”.
That IMO isn’t a good example of your claim that “free speech” was welcome.
I asked for nothing beyond the right to enjoy a nice day in a public place listening to the views others.
I was denied that right by people with VERY deep financial pockets who wanted their message to be the only one heard.
So where were these obviously huge money “donations” collected? :ear
——-
Rat Turd, <– funny name BTW :LOL
I’m saying that we should at least try to set Afghanistan on a path to sustainability after 8+ years of minimal effort and focus by our government.
I don’t expect that we’ll change their tribal mentality but I do want us to try to show them that if they work together that they can have some measure of freedom and possibly some prosperity by endorsing that freedom and by peacefully working among themselves and the outside world.
Job one is to reassure them that we’re not there to take over but to help them stand on their own feet.
This administration is trying to show them those things.
Let’s hope it takes.
STEVE: were you an invited guest speaker? were you trying to speak over someone who was?? i really don’t believe you were just standing there “listening to the views of others trying to have a nice day in the park” and someone just came up and “booted” you out. the man I spoke of with the megaphone was let back in, so i’m finding your story a little hard to believe. guess it was one of those violent tea party moments that no one can seem to get on tape. as far as donations there was a website set up @ http://www.pleasantonteaparty.com taking donations. what do you care where the money came for the event. there is nothing illegal about that.
Steve,
next time we have one you can hang with me and my friends. We have a good time and allow other points of view as long as they do not try and impose their beliefs on us. Respect is what it is all about. Afterall, I believe we are all trying to make this country stronger and back on the correct path as we see it. Spending all of our money which we do not have is not supportive of these initiatives or our long term health. Have a great weekend all of you and thank god for our right of free speech!
I said nothing to no-one and was told to leave “because my message wasn’t welcome here” by a guy with a Stanford (red hat big S on the front) hat, a black tee shirt with Pleasanton TEA Party logo and a radio. I told him that I was on public property and he told me it was I private event. I told him if he can get a cop to tell me that I’ll leave.
He got a cop and I was escorted out by Sergeant B. Lawrence of the Pleasanton PD.
Heated words came from the crowd as I was escorted out right in front of the stage. (I was on the south side of the stage out was towards the north side.)
I said nothing even when one of the ladies in a booth called me a communist and took my picture or when the guy in the booth next to her said that they don’t need “my kind” here.
I had Tea Party friends from work there. They thought that I should just ditch my sign(s) and come back in. I told them that I’d ditch my sign when the rest of the crowd was told to do the same.
We discuss this stuff at work and we get along fine because we have lots of respect for each other.
They watched the whole thing and they agree that kicking me out was kind of silly for a group that pretends to support constitutional guarantees. (They thought it was a public rally too.)
Steve,
Very simple…….your a victim. You did nothing and somehow you were singled out! Wow!
Crazy stuff. You mean you went to a Tea party that is about protesting in Federal Government corruption and over taxing with a shirt supporting that corruption and taxes? ……….and you have the balls to say “I didn’t do anything”…. Do you not keep up with current events? It was covered pretty well that the Progressives were encouraging people to crash the parties. Did you just happen to wear the wrong shirt for the event? Ya that must have been it.
Listen up “dip stick” you want to protest a protest……..grow a sack and own it! dont be a weenie and claim your a victim. Your a very week minded person and should work on that character of yours……
The lack of backbone in your progressive movement is pathetic.
“Very simple…….your a victim”
You mean “you’re a victim”. It is a contraction of “you are”. “your” is a possessive form of “you”.
Really people. As far as “protest” rallies go, the Tea Party event was absolutely pathetic! You people couldn’t even manage to loot one local business, burn or torch a single police car, there wasn’t even a single arrest as I know of for disorderly behavior or vandalism & you even picked up after yourselves when you left? Oh yeah, you couldn’t even walk the 500 or so feet to Hwy. 680 & storm the freeway to voice your so called “outrage” or at least try to occupy one of the local businesses & stage a sit in. What a bunch of amateur/poser protesters you all are & you ought to be ashamed of yourselves!
Next year PLEASE have Acorn, the ACLU, La Raza, the SEIU union or SOMEBODY puleeesase give you guys some pointers on how to stage a REAL protest rally just so you don’t embarrass yourselves again.
I was planning on going into Pleasanton this morning for some coffee. Can anybody tell me, are the yeast people gone? Thank you.
You little people amuse me clinging to your guns and bibles. Don’t you realize how great I am and how much smarter I am than all of you? You should be thanking me for alleviating you from the burden of decision making. You people should bow to my brilliance.
You know, I was always taught to “leave it a little better than you found it.” No need to thank me!
I’d also like to give a shout out to my Tea Party pals in Pleasanton for giving me so many wonderful years in office to strengthen our great nation both financially and in our standing with other nations across the globe.
Barack, you never did “get it,” did you? You’ll never enjoy the free pass me and my type get from the Tea Partiers because you’re not exactly eligible to be part of the old boys club now, are ya?
I think you know what I’m talking about..
Well, George, there you go again! After all, credit should be given where it is truly due.
As is well known, I started the Revolution–almost thirty years ago, now–that has finally culminated in the state in which the United States of America finds itself. What I mean, of course, is that I was the front man for the relentless drive over the years to break down all of the regulations over the markets that had been put in place since the days of the Depression and were so effective in restricting our freedom. I’m happy to say that the work goes on, supported by all of these dedicated Tea Party people, who selflessly defend the right of large corporations to continue to offshore the best paying American jobs and to allow the big banks to hold sway on Wall Street despite this being completely against their own best interests economically.
But, thank you for your work nonetheless. Starting that unnecessary and expensive war with Iraq was a masterstroke, I have to admit (wish I had thought of something along those lines–Grenada just did not cut it, really; didn’t have that big an impact on the deficit when all was said and done).
Carry on and don’t forget, it is Morning in America once again!
Now just hold on a minute! Some cracked Hollywood actor’s not gonna outdo ol’ Tricky Dick!
Do you think you’d enjoy the propaganda and lies you take for granted today if it wasn’t for me? Karl Rove oughta build a shrine in my honor!
Who was it claimed the President was above the law? Me, that’s who! W, you would never have been able to get away with what you did if I hadn’t already set the standard so low. When you think of presidential integrity, I’m willing to bet I still rank down there with 43!
robert Perez,
I’ve never claimed that I was a victim. I knew where I was going and I knew that there was a chance that some wouldn’t like my views. What I didn’t expect was that the teabagged aren’t capable of a civil discussion because their views don’t go beyond the sound bite/bumper sticker mentality of folks like you and your leader Palin.
I claimed that the hypocrites of the extreme right are consistent in their selective endorsements of rights and consistent in their desire for free speech as long as it’s what they endorse.
As to the rest…you can throw names my way over the internet if it makes you feel less like a “weenie” but I think that most of us who see that kind of action understand that the anonymity of the internet gives people more cojones than they actually posses.
Have a nice weekend.
Ronnie, Dick, George:
If you think you were so damaging, lemme tell ya, You just see what happens if I ever get my turn.
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
Oh, Sarah, I dare say you are right. It will be the fulfillment (4th time over, if you take Ronnie, Dickie, and “W” into account) of something I said many, many years ago:
“On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
And where were the people who don’t subscribe to the ideals of the Tea Partiers in the middle of a weekday??? Working.
These tea baggers have very little knowledge about what horrible shape 8 years of conservative put our great country. We now have a much better President who is getting our country put back together. Along the way Obabma is doing exactly what we elected him to do when he became President. Thank you President Obama.
To Robert Perez who wrote:
“I to would like to see quality health care for your family as well as my own family of 5. I to pay high premiums for health care insurance. The model used by The current admin is one that has been tried and failed right here in our own country. Medicare and SSI were nothing more than….”
Enjoy your perceived freedom paying high health care premiums. And don’t you or your family ever grow old or suffer a serious health condition and/or lose any employer group plan insurance you may presently have. The law of adverse selection does work (against you) and do try to get to the magic age of 65 with health insurance so you can qualify for that horrible medicare that you hate. Good Luck! Without health care reform you will need it. (I have yet to see one case of tea partiers giving up their medicare and attempting to buy a health plan on the open market for >65 year olds.)
OK, sorry but. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! The whiny, self absorbed, sanctimonious & narcissistic comments from the lefties simply amuse me. You fear what you cannot control via the legislature or manipulate through your complicit trolls in the media. Wow just think, your about to get a new supreme court justice that’s even more left to center so just maybe you can use the judiciary channels to push your socialist agenda down the throats of the citizenry.
While the “tea baggers” might not have the most eloquent or PR friendly spokespeople they definitely have stirred up the political pot & made a whole bunch of folks scarred silly that the very thought of a bunch of middle class, suburbanites just very well might change the political landscape in the fall elections.
They’re afraid of us people & that’s a good thing!
I admit, the posts written by “famous people” are the most entertaining on this thread.
Frank, just you wait until Obamacare is initiated & while your waiting for 8+ hours to receive your government sanctioned aspirin at a designated health care facility or standing in line for 2 + days to see a specialist… I’ll remind you that we told you so. Nothing comes for free my friend be prepared for the “mediocratization” of our health care system buddy!
Liberals and Democrats believe in the right to free speech, as long as they are talking.
My question about the funding has been answered and it’s not the answer that’s been posted here.
“carefully organized and sophisticated PR campaign . . . for some of the craziest and sleaziest rightwing oligarch clans this country has ever produced,” including the Koch family, Dick Armey and FreedomWorks.[153][154] On October 3, 2009, David H. Koch said the tea party protests fulfilled “the vision” of the board of directors of the conservative political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity when it was founded in 2004.[155] The movement has also been actively promoted by Fox News.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement
Thanks for the attempted smear Steve, try including the first sentence of that paragraph,
Allegations of “astroturfing” appeared in a New York Times editorial[152] as well as a Playboy article by Mark Ames and Yasha Levine in February 2009. The article was removed after libel claims
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement
Two more guys who “hated all the hateful stuff”
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. – Gandhi
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi
“We who in engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive.†– Dr Martin Luther King Jr
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/we_who_in_engage_in_nonviolent_direct_action_are/325986.html
Why have the other righteously angry conservatives slowed down their posts here? The sky is still falling, people! There’s still a Muslim in the White House and Arizone has passed a bill REQUIRING Obama to show his birth certificate. The fight for right goes on! Come on Rat Turd and jimf01, let’s keep at it. We’re the great white hope of this forum!!
This was a great article and this was a great event. This movement has grown so much and continues to grow!
Chuck DeVore candidate for U.S. Senate was speaking in Sacramento and San Diego or he would have spoken here as well. He is the lead tea party choice.
Bounce BOXER! She’s bad for the state of California and she’s bad for the nation! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4oONbwM9V0&NR=1
Again, the race card comes out from those intellectually challenged low lifes who can’t debate any issues on their merit. I’d say it’s sad for Pleasanton, but I have no doubt these critics of any free speech that’s not theirs, are all out of town plants from Berserkely or Bahgdad by the Bay.