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By Leon G. Russ
HOMETOWN NEWS
A group of approximately 600 “patriots” turned out for the Boiling Springs TEA Party on the 4th of July.
While the group was supposedly focusing its anger on the budget deficit and the growing debt of this nation, there were many signs questioning the birth certificate of President Barack Obama and equating his administration’s policies with socialism.
TEA Party organizer Mike Brady was posed the question, why did it take these people so long to voice their displeasure with the U.S. government?
Brady said, “I’m not certain why it took eight years” for people to protest, “it’s just resonating” now.
While insisting the event was a non-partisan event, Brady did note members of the American Independent Party and the Republican Party were in attendance, then chuckled and noted, “I don’t think I’ve seen a Democrat.”
Brady was again asked why it took so long for these people to get fired up enough to protest when they didn’t do so in 2004 when the United States had it’s largest budget deficit in history under President George W. Bush and a Republican controlled Congress? He answered, “They may not have realized the other administration was doing the same thing. I just don’t think they realized it.”
Brady said the spending of both political parties has led Tea Party members to push for the passage of HR-450 (House Resolution 450).
HR-450 is the Enumerated Powers Act that would require each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that act.
They believe this act would ensure no bills would be passed that could be considered unconstitutional and they believe it would stop earmarks being attached to bills in Congress.
Jim Blackstone of Spartanburg was found holding a flag reading, “Don’t tread on me.” He was there because “I see this country going down the drain and I feel powerless. I want to show I disapprove of what’s going on.”
He claimed, “Barack Obama has spent more in the first 100 days than all presidents combined.”
When the same questions that were posed to Brady were asked of Blackstone he replied, “The Republican party is just as bad. We need conservative leaders to step up.”
Blackstone wasn’t certain a third party could arise from these Tea Parties “but I’d support it.”
Judson Ray of Fairforest explained he came out because “I thought it was a worthwhile thing for a citizen to do.”
He said the TEA Parties “go beyond the Republican Party. It goes to national values and sticking to the Constitution.”
Those are admirable sentiments that need to be heard by all our citizens. The shame of it is those sentiments get drowned out by the anti-Obama messages in the crowd that alienate nearly half the population.
lruss@hometown-news.com
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