Tea Partiers: 'Delighted With Turnout'

Paula Hill waves a flag as a car passes by her on Broad Street.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Organizers of Thursday's Tax Day tea party rally in Southern Pines consider the event a success.

The rally, held in front of the Southern Pines Post Office, was one of hundreds of Tax Day demonstrations across the country. Various media reports estimated that thousands of tea party protesters gathered in major cities like Washington, D.C., Boston and Chicago. Hundreds more converged on the state Capitol in Raleigh.

While the Southern Pines rally lacked the numbers that a lot of the big city demonstrations had, its participants weren't short on spirit.

"I'm delighted with the turnout," Moore TEA Citizens coordinator Dee Park said. "It seems like a lot of people have been here and have been coming around. The cars come by and people are very enthusiastic."

Park said a busload of 50 Moore TEA Citizens drove to Washington to be a part of the rally there.

The participants in Thursday's rally expressed outrage with what they call out-of-control spending, big government and poor leadership in Washington. They waved flags, held signs and encouraged passing cars to honk their horns in support. They frequently chanted in unison or sang patriotic songs. Many were invited to express their opinions on a megaphone.

Some of the signs on display read, "No Child Left a Dime," "Honk for Freedom," "Tax My Breath Away," and "Close Washington, D.C."

Many of the participants were clad in red "Moore TEA" T-shirts or other red, white and blue attire. Some had hats with tea bags attached to them, which have become symbolic of the movement. The modern tea party draws its inspiration from the historic Boston Tea Party of 1773, an iconic political protest by American colonists against the British empire.

Moore TEA Citizens started with just three residents - including Park - about a year ago. She said the group has almost 1,400 members now. Members worked diligently to recruit more at the event.

Paula Hill, a resident of Seven Lakes, said she's "taxed enough already," and she's upset that leaders in Washington "don't listen to the average people."

"I'm retired, and I had to take out a loan to pay my taxes," she said. "Now, that's pretty sad. ... I was here last year, and I'll be here every year until I die, because I love this country."

Debra Smith drove down from Lee County to be a part of the action.

"I just see it as a chance to try to do something to take a stand," she said. "I'm really tired of the way our country's headed, and I'm really concerned about everything. This is the least I can do. I hope maybe I can do more someday."

Elizabeth Kelly, of Southern Pines, said she felt as if "America is losing its freedom."

"I think it's time that we saw a real change," she said, "not the kind of change that the current president is talking about, but a real change back to our grassroots, back to what our Founding Fathers had in mind."

Not everyone who attended agreed with the event's premise, however. A few supporters of President Obama walked through the crowd and attempted to engage the participants in debate. One even spoke on the megaphone, telling the crowd that he didn't agree with what it was doing and accused it of trying to incite a riot.

Some of the tea partiers pointed out to the dissenters that they supported their right to say what they want, though they didn't agree with it.

Park said she was happy that there weren't any incidents and that the rally stayed peaceful.

"There's something in the air," Park said. "People are excited. They're passionate about standing up and speaking out. It's really important to them to be here, and it seems like we have turned a corner."

Contact John Krahnert III by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot. com.

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SCCstudent 3 years, 1 month ago

Elizabeth Kelly: "I think it's time that we saw a real change," she said, "not the kind of change that the current president is talking about, but a real change back to our grassroots,".

I believe "grassroots" is the operative word here. How about holding a rally in Carthage, or would that be too close to a tangible taxing authority? And, least we not forget, a GOP stronghold ~ let''s not talk about the salaries paid to those in political positions in county government, like a quarter millon for two do nothing county managers, or the excessive administrative salaries paid to school administrators, heaven forbid...those excessive expendatures can't be layed at POTUS'O's door step. Nor will Boles or Harris defend excessive taxation by the state of NC. They only defend puppy mill producers...their voting records are public record.

So Mrs. Kelly ~ when is the Carthage rally for your grassroots movement?

deeandbro 3 years, 1 month ago

Dear SCC Student, thanks for your thoughtful response to the article about Moore TEA Citizens' rally in Southern Pines on Thursday, TAX Day. We've been in Carthage most recently for the Christmas parade, and before that for all five days of the Fair there last September. We're looking for a super place for a picnic, and if you have an idea would welcome a call to 910-783-8340.

By the way, please join our group and we'll put you to work on events - our aim is to be all over the county this year. Whew! To join send your name, address, phone number and email address to PO Box 4381, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Thanks! Stand Up and Speak Out!

Dee for Moore TEA

SCCstudent 3 years, 1 month ago

Thank you deeandbro for your invitation...but I'm a R.I.N.O. and a staunch supporter of our sitting President. I'm looking seriously at Independent as opposed to other choices out there. Republicans like John Boehner and John McConnell from Kentucky have turned me cynical of all republicans. Then there are those talking heads like recently recalled Shawn Hannity, Rush "the mouth" Limbaugh, and last but not least, Glenn Beck. Spewing hate toward this country and all that it stands for is in my opinion, hate mongering or scandal-mongering.

I agree that a grassroots approach is in fact needed - but it should start in Carthage. A recent article about the hiring and equipping a police force for Sandhills Community College brought out condemnation against those who spoke out about the 160G's spent from a slush fund from the last bond referendum. The only question by Toda was, "about data supporting the need for campus police." No one provided an answer, and he was chastised for even asking a simple question. Corporations, medical facilities, even banking institutions use statistical data in order to make sound decisions: but not in Moore County, it's all about the politics of using someone else's money - the taxpayer. Rather than Tax Party citizens complaining about Washington and taxes on the most wealthy amongst us, they should be in Carthage during the budget planning session, on the street surrounding the courthouse...but no it's county G.O.P. politics as ususal.

babiehop 3 years, 1 month ago

I have an idea ! Let's use the surplus capital that this country had when Willy left office to get us out of this economic depression. Oh, wait....... it went "poof" during the years dubbya was there and was replaced by a huge gaping deficit. Hope the cold hard truth isn't too discourteous.