I am sure you have heard about Pensacola’s little Tea Party that we had April 15.
The President, the most powerful man in the world, with the most information at his fingertips, “wasn’t aware” of the thousands that were happening across the country, but hopefully many of you noticed the nearly 2,000 people lining Davis Highway who were protesting socialism, high spending, high debt and higher taxes.
According to many reports, nearly 1 million people protesting across America escaped the attention of the White House this past tax day.
This grassroots movement transcended race, party lines and social standing as thousands came together out of concern for the futures of themselves, the financial realm and America.
Standing on the roadside waving my “Fair Tax” sign, I saw people of every walk of life honking their approval. Bus drivers, tow trucks, Coca-Cola tankers, Lexuses, BMWs and even a Toyota Tercel honked and waved their approval at our efforts.
We cheered and flushed with gratitude at their approval.
We cheered all the louder when those who disagreed drove by.
Some people pretended we weren’t there, others (I noticed some UWF decals) decided the appropriate response to adults and children waving American flags and low tax signs was to flick them off.
We waved on.
Our elation turned to grim determination as people began speaking. Everyone had a story and a concern. Parents talked about the $33,000 in debt that was already assigned to their children, everyday workers wanted to know how they will afford the things they need when the massive spending causes inflation.
Then we got down right indignant.
Terrorists, the White House calls us. Homeland Security called those of us who disagreed with abortion and stem cell research and who opposed large government — even veterans — extremists.
Simply by coming together peacefully and stating our beef with the ever-growing government, we became something to fear.
We “right-wing extremists” are now subject to the suspicion of the government, simply for having differing views from those of Nancy, Harry and Barack. Our opinions put us in danger of discrimination.
Can none of you see the danger? This isn’t just about right vs. left, this is about what it means for the world when the ruling ideology gets to criminalize the opposing views. “1984” isn’t just a possibility anymore — we are actually treading the first pages.
On tax day we held up the quotes of our founding fathers while the media compared us to killers like Timothy McVeigh.
To all those who agree with Obama for the moment, don’t be fooled. Now that the precedent is set, any leader of Homeland Security can decide that the opposing party is full of extremists. The conservatives are getting slammed with the injustice now, but it is only a matter of time before we are all targeted for disagreeing with those in power.
It is time for this to stop. It is time to remind Congress and the White House that they work for the people of the United States of America.
When more than a million of us are pissed off and we tell you, try sitting down, shutting up and listening. They have forgotten who hires them, who pays their salaries. It is time to remind them.
To all of those in Washington who criminalized and ignored us, shut up and listen. We have a lot to say.
Look up the Fair Tax at fairtax.org.
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