Second TEA party increases issues to include ACLU

JEFFERSON, Jun 30, 2009 (Star Beacon - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- FRE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Tim Cobb was touring the U.S. Capitol with his 13-year-old son the day Congress bailed out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Stuck in an elevator with two congressmen, Cobb overheard their jokes about the bailout.

"The one said to the other, 'I got some Freddie Mac stock. Want to buy it for a dollar?' They were so nonchalant about it," Cobb said.

That flippant attitude about burdening a future generation with bailout debt lit a fire under Cobb, a Farmdale resident and one of a dozen speakers at the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party.

"Thomas Jefferson once shot a man for treason on the White House lawn," Cobb told the crowd as he wrapped up his story about the congressman's remark. "He would have needed several clips that day."

The party continued the theme of the April 15 gathering, which largely protested the growth of government and debt, and added new issues such as cap and trade, right to life, the American Civil Liberties Union and cow tax.

Mary Haessly drove all the way from Mercer County, Pa., to participate.

"Because I love my country and I love freedom and I want it to continue," said Haessly, whose signs protested cap and trade and taxation.

The party was organized by Allen and Tammy Roesch of Kingsville, who wanted to fan the patriotic fire built at the previous TEA Party, one of some 2,000 held nationwide. Allen Roesch estimated Monday evening's crowd at between 200 and 300; it seemed smaller less than the April 15 gathering, but was a spirited group, nevertheless.

"Do you love America tonight? Are you proud to be a patriot?" shouted Jonathan Pulaski, master of ceremonies as he led the crowd in a chant of "USA, USA."

Tony Gross, who drove from Concord Township to participate in the party, carried a sign calling for more accountability from teachers and more politically balanced college classrooms.

"I never got involved with much of anything and I would not have been the guy who protested on the college campus, but it gets to the point where you have to step up," Gross said.

He attended the first party and returned because he counts himself among those who care about the country. Gross said the media got the first party wrong because they painted it as a Republican event.

"These are people who care about their country," Gross said. "We need a third party in this country."

Shirley Weber, a 77-year-old great-grandmother, said she is concerned about the huge, growing national debt that will become the responsibility of her great-grandchildren and grandchildren.

"I'm deeply concerned for the future of our country," Weber said. "Our country is in debt, not for millions, not for billions, but trillions. The president has said we're broke, yet has said there is more to come."

Weber, like the other speakers, urged the crowd to get involved, vote out politicians who aren't listening to the constituents and replace them with people who will.

"We the people are the ultimate answers to the problems our country faces," said Cobb, who has vowed to get more involved in the process.

Weber said the nation is on its way to becoming a socialist country, yet politicians and the media are laughing at the TEA parties.

"I think they better wake up because the second revolution has already begun," she said.

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