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Rowlett: Residents protest taxes at TEA party
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer
In 1773 Americans threw crates of tea into the harbor to protest taxes. More than 200 years later, they protested higher taxes with tea again, this time hanging tea bags from hats and signs and gathering for TEA parties across the nation.
A crowd of about 200 people gathered along Main Street in Rowlett Wednesday to voice their opinion on government spending at a Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party. The rally was one of thousands held on tax day to protest proposed tax hikes.
The Rowlett rally featured speakers, including business owners, educators, entrepreneurs, doctors, and residents. Several people brought posters, and others wore hats draped with tea bags representing the reasons they upset with the government.
Rowlett resident and business owner Lee Glover spoke to the crowd first. Like many at the rally, he said this is the first time he has participated in a political protest.
He also said that the United States has faced many challenges over the years and has always bounced back, but he is concerned about the long-term economic consequences of the economic slump.
“There’s a new catastrophe, and it seems the government keeps using [our] checkbooks without any kind of accountability system,” Glover said.
Although the rallies were organized primarily to express disapproval of government spending, some protestors voiced additional complaints. Garland resident Mary Ambelang attended a rally in Richardson before heading to Rowlett, and she said she did not agree with President Barack Obama’s actions and statements on a recent trip overseas.
“The government belongs to the people, not to one man,” Ambelang said. “[The president] seems to be moving so fast the last three months that you can’t keep up with him.”
Estep walked along Main Street during the rally holding a sign that stated, “We are fed up patriots, not extremists.” As a former member of the military, he said he is in support of protecting first amendment freedoms through peaceful demonstrations.
He also said that the government should focus on pressing issues, and echoed the sentiments of many at the rally when he said that he is concerned about the debt burden that could be placed on future generations.
“I don’t want to talk about the dog that the president got,” Estep said. “I want to talk about the debt my daughter’s going to incur because of the crazy spending. They’re just not listening to us.”
For information on the TEA parties, visit TeaPartyDay.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Michael Gallops wrote on Apr 21, 2009 12:44 PM:
" The rally was great! The speakers (real residents of Rowlett, not professional speakers) spoke from their heart. The message was clear - from City Hall to Congress - WE WANT LOWER TAXES! It's not a racist issue, it's not extremism - it's just plan old common sense! "
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