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Econwatch
April 16, 2009 9:56 AM

Inside NYC's Tea Party Protest

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Tea Party Protests
(CBS/Brian Montopoli)
The big debate around the tax day tea party protests has been over what they really represent: An organic movement built on genuine anger, or a more cynical and partisan effort by the Republican Party to score points against the Obama administration.

Based on Wednesday evening's protest in New York City, a strong case can be made for the former. Though mainstream Republicans, GOP lobbying firms and Fox News have embraced the protests – Newt Gingrich was the featured speaker here – many of those who attended were not offering anything akin to Republican talking points.

"I think Newt Gingrich is – I think he's a slime ball," said Roy Delduco, a self-described Constitutionalist with tattoos up his arm and a shaved head. "I don't like Republicans. I don't like liberals either. I don't like the whole bipartisan system. I think it's part of the problem."

Delduco said he wants the Federal Reserve disbanded, the IRS "put in jail" and his taxes lowered. He complained about government spending under both Presidents Obama and Bush.

"We've basically bankrupted the dollar, and I'm scared," he said.

That's not to say there weren't plenty of complaints about Mr. Obama and his administration at the demonstration: protesters interviewed by CBSNews.com mentioned the president's alleged bow to the Saudi leader, the recent Homeland Security report on right-wing extremists and unsubstantiated rumors about Mr. Obama's birthplace, among other complaints.

"I think [President Obama] is doing a terrible job, and he's weakening this nation," Pam Griffin said. "Shame on everybody who voted for him."

She went on to describe President Bush as someone who did a "great job" and whose spending was "totally responsible."


View Photos
Photo Essay: Tax Day "Tea Parties" Across The Country. (AP)

But such positive views of Republicans were relatively rare, particularly in light of the fact that the tea party rallies have been so enthusiastically embraced by many in the GOP. The general perception here was that Mr. Bush kicked off the worst of the irresponsible spending and Mr. Obama accelerated it – and that the concerns of everyday Americans were ignored in the process.

"None of our representatives – Republican, independent, or Democratic – listen to us," complained Maura Garvey. "This is a Republic. This is a government for the people, by the people. But that's not happening here."

"This didn't start in January with Obama," she added. "You look back 20, 25 years, it started. It's just that nobody had the gumption to stand up before now, because now it's really gone overboard."

Added Dan Batton: "We've taken all the crap that they've put out – lip service, no representation in Washington…[we're] sick and tired of it."

Elsewhere, Brendan Brady (pictured at top) described the protest as civil disobedience that marked "stage one" of a movement. Stage two, he said, was voting out those responsible for bad policy.

"If after that point, whoever goes in there doesn't do what we ask, then stage three is breaking things," continued Brady. "Then stage four is breaking people. That's how it works. Once you lose the consent of the governed, you move on to a point where there is no law. So they better start paying attention."

The protest took place next to a park near New York city hall in lower Manhattan; though police were unable to offer an estimate at the scene, there appeared to be in excess of 1,000 people in attendance. Some carried signs suggesting Mr. Obama was embracing socialism, while others dressed in military or Colonial garb. One young man handed out feathers in homage to the Boston Tea Party; another offered stickers in support of John Galt, the hero of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

"I feel like we have to do something," said Kathy O'Hara of Long Island, as a "USA" chant went up around her. O'Hara held up a sign affixed with tea bags and complained of "wasteful spending, and spending in the wrong places."

(CBS/Brian Montopoli)
"I hope people that don't know what's going on will pay attention to this, and hopefully vote out the people that are wasteful spending in the next election," she added. "I think it's woken up a sleeping giant, this spending."

A few steps behind her, Raymond Kwai stood alone in the crowd, holding up a sign that said, in all capital letters, "IF I WANTED TO BE A COMMIE, I'D STAY IN CHINA."

"My parents got out of communism, they got me over here, and this is not what they want, and this is not what I want," he said. Kwai said he believes in the concept of "trickle down economics."

"I believe that if you give the rich a chance, our lives will be better," he said.

Catherine Mullahy said she didn't like the notion that she can't take care of herself – "that the government has to take care of you."

"They're printing dollars they don't have – it's compromising my freedom, it's compromising the freedom of my children and my grandchildren," added Mullahy, who compared her conservatism to that of Barry Goldwater.

Helene Jnane, a Ron Paul supporter upset by spending under both Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush, said she was thrilled with the existence of the rallies, though somewhat wary of the embrace of the mainstream GOP.

"We don't want our message of sound money and a non-interventionist foreign policy to be corrupted through compromise or coalition," she said.

Still, she added, "the more people that come out in support of sound money, the better."

Add a Comment See all 268 Comments
by ddg333 April 17, 2009 7:34 PM EDT
If the zealous supporters of big government, big spending, big debt and big brother are so secure in their mandate and confident of the unassailable nature of their philosophy, why such a pervasively virulent and hate filled reaction to the tax day protests? I love liberty, granted to me by nature, which is enshrined in the US Constitution, which we would be wise to follow. Too many Democrats and Republicans have told people what they want to hear, for too long, in their quest for power. The leaders of both parties are responsible for the disaster we face. They are practically the same, although the current administration is actually like Bush on steroids. The Constitution is ignored and liberty is vanishing before our eyes. We have come a long way. We have gone from ?Give me liberty or give me death? to the overbearing, intrusive and controlling government we have now.
Reply to this comment
by Katwood0001 April 17, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
For me, the Tea Parties are important. I'm just a representative of small town in America, and for the record I'm classifying myself these days as a Mugwump. Meaning I'm dissatisfied with all the parties- (the original definition of the term.)

There is an importance to what is happening- however small or large the media wishes to portray it.

Looking at the Polls for the past not just year but back to 2005 the overall Congressional approval rating is below 50% usually below 30%. (http://www.pollingreport.com/CongJob.htm)

I don't think that the protests are about Obama, and I think it is foolish and distracting to place it in that arena. The President is not the issue... The protests are about Congress. Five years of approval below the 30% mark. My question is what took us so long?

The weight of this matter cannot be placed on the shoulders of our President-- This is a problem where the American people are beginning to realize that we have routinely re-elected people to our Congress who are not doing the job we want them to do. These are people who have been in power for longer than the Bush or Obama Presidencies. And we have re-elected and re-elected the same people for what purpose? Because it is convenient? Or worse, we are so concerned about keeping our party (whichever it is) in power or taking power that we are willing to keep someone in the seat (even if we hate what they are doing) just to stop the other side from taking control?

The reawakening of Civic Responsibility should be celebrated. John Locke was a fundamental voice in the creation of our government. His views that the people should rebel and protest a perceived unjust government led to a government voiced by the people. We've forgotten that. I think so has the National Media. (Liberal and Conservative alike)

I hope this is the time of Re-enlightenment? Before a person discards these events as partisan politics those so easy to scorn these actions should ask themselves, are you truly happy with those that are in power? Have you tried writing them an email lately? Do they answer your concerns? Or do they send you a form letter suggesting you check their website?

Jefferson said it best: "Unless the mass retains sufficient control over those entrusted with the powers of their government, these will be perverted to their own oppression, and to the perpetuation of wealth and power in the individuals and their families selected for the trust." Thomas Jefferson to M. van der Kemp, 1812. ME 13:136

"Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people." --Thomas Jefferson to Isaac H. Tiffany, 1816. ME 15:66
Reply to this comment
by ianlou April 17, 2009 12:24 PM EDT
The Republicans are screaming Taxation without Representation.

The lack of Representation is due to the fact that they got their butt kicked in the last two elections because of all the greedy deals they perpitrated during those six years they had plenty of Representation.


This is nothing more than the Republicans whining they are no longer in charge, with Tea Bags.

Alexander Hamilton, while dressed in disguise and in a fit of rage, threw British tea off British ships because the British decided to undermine his illegal tea smuggling operations by under pricing British tea.

Even with the British tea was being sold cheaper than Hamilton's, Alex screamed about the British Tea tax.

The Boston Tea Party was an act of greed and vandalism,
There was nothing patriotic about it.

Just like today's tea party.
Reply to this comment
by superds April 17, 2009 10:01 AM EDT
Nice avoiding all of those other taxes i mentioned. Who do you think pays the taxes on business? For the record I was vehemently opposed to the wasteful spending during the Bush years, as were you probably. Are you opposed to the VASTLY increased deficit spending being proposed?

the gas tax is per gallon and is still at .18, the same as it was during Bush. Obama and the dems have proposed increasing it, as has Granholm in MI.

The fact that the prices were higher is based on many things, not the least of which is supply and demand. How do you define "gouging".
Reply to this comment
by abbe91 April 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT
Secondly, do you realize that the federal (and state / local) tax us in MANY other ways than just INCOME taxes right? ie gasoline, (...)
Posted by superds at 6:31 AM : Apr 17, 2009

Very good point. Gasoline ... So you are OK with the gasoline price gouging under Bush ? ... I can tell you that with the price back at $2, my wallet sees a difference.
Reply to this comment
by superds April 17, 2009 9:31 AM EDT
I doubt, after most of the people present will have finally found out that they pay less taxes with Obama.
Posted by abbe91 at 5:59 AM : Apr 17, 2009

Hey abbe91, first of all the tax "cut", which is actually a tax CREDIT (look up the difference) amounts to around $1.10 per day. WOW! What should i do with all of that money!><

Secondly, do you realize that the federal (and state / local) tax us in MANY other ways than just INCOME taxes right? ie gasoline, sales tax, excise taxes on our phones, and think of all of the taxes on businesses. who pays all of THOSE taxes?

Wake up.
Reply to this comment
by abbe91 April 17, 2009 8:59 AM EDT
Planning is underway for our next protest. I would predict we will have at least a 50% boost in participants nationally at our protests in the summer.
Posted by impeachbhb at 5:42 AM : Apr 17, 2009

I doubt, after most of the people present will have finally found out that they pay less taxes with Obama.
Reply to this comment
by impeachbhb April 17, 2009 8:42 AM EDT
These tea parties put in motion the beginnings of a national organization. Planning is underway for our next protest. I would predict we will have at least a 50% boost in participants nationally at our protests in the summer.
Reply to this comment
by abbe91 April 17, 2009 5:48 AM EDT
Administration wants total control of banks.
Posted by dmb35 at 9:10 PM : Apr 16, 2009

Rather than banks having total control of the administration ...
Reply to this comment
by emperorlotku April 17, 2009 4:54 AM EDT
Next tax day I'm starting a grassroots movement that will protest against private citizens keeping any of their money. Why shouldn't the government have all of the money? Private citizens are selfish when they work hard and keep it all to themselves. I think I'll call it the "douche_bag party".
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