Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Talk show host Herman Cain of Atlanta speaks during a tax protest “tea party” at Sunset Park Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The event was one of many tea party protests held nationwide. Over a thousand people attended the Las Vegas rally.
Published Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | 12:49 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | 7:04 p.m.
Sun coverage
Sunset Park isn’t exactly a harbor, and Lipton tea bags aren’t much like the tea that was tossed into Boston Harbor more than 235 years ago.
But protesters who attended a modern-day TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party at Sunset Park on Wednesday afternoon hope their actions in protesting high taxation, increased government spending embodied in the federal stimulus package and all things Obama will carry a similar message.
Metro Police estimated the crowd at between 1,500 and 2,000 people and said there were no problems at the event, which was one of dozens held nationwide.
Clark County Republican Party Executive Director Susane Crawford organized the event at Sunset Park. Speakers included officials of the Libertarian and Independent American Parties.
While there were no incidents, there was no shortage of fiery rhetoric. Keynote speaker Herman Cain, a conservative radio talk show host based in Atlanta, said the TEA Parties were a way for Americans upset with taxation and government spending to be heard.
“Like you, I am here not only because I’m tea’d off, but I’m fed up,” Cain said. “We are all fed up of Washington, D.C., forgetting about we the people … We the people are still in charge of this country, and we have to keep it that way.”
Cain railed against reports that painted the gatherings as groups of isolated, disaffected individuals.
“The mainstream media and the Obama Administration are trying to spin this as we are just a bunch of angry, crazy people,” he said. “Well, in the words of my grandfather, ‘We gonna show y’all crazy.’”
In an e-mail, Nevada State Democratic Party Communications Director Phoebe Sweet said the tax plan put forth by Obama and the Democratic Party has reduced the tax burden on 98 percent of Americans — putting $800 back in the pockets of families making less than $250,000 per year, which need the money most.
“The organizers of today’s protests are a vocal minority,” Sweet said. “While these Tea Parties may have been attention-grabbing, there have been dozens of protests large and small over the course of this legislative session in which constituents have asked for legislators to maintain the essential services their tax dollars pay for – schools, police, health care.
“And while it’s easy for the Republican Party to repeat their mantra of ‘No,’ reversing the failed economic policies of the last eight years will take more than tea bags and gimmicks. It will take Democratic leaders making sound policy that works for American families.”
The crowd at the event was a mixed bag that included everyone from suited businessmen on their lunch breaks to the more eclectic, including a man wearing a pink pig suit and carrying a sign proclaiming “Pork is for BBQ, not budgets.”
Another man was wearing nothing but a barrel and carried a giant placard protesting everything from the gaming industry to the Nevada Supreme Court to Sen. Harry Reid.
Henderson resident Don Sherer carried a collection plate and a sign saying, “AIG needs your money.”
“It’s sarcasm,” Sherer said. “It’s all so ridiculous. They’re stealing from the poor to give to the rich. It’s Robin Hood in reverse.”
Sherer said he collected $6.11 in donations from people who appreciated the joke enough to play along, which “is more than the Congress bill left me with today,” he said.
Sherer, like some others in the crowd, said he didn’t agree with everything that was said. At one point, when a speaker advocated that everyone in the audience stop paying their taxes altogether, several crowd members booed.
“I’m not so radical,” he said. “But I’m so frustrated, I’m just about to explode.”
Las Vegas resident Carol Collins said she attended the TEA Party to protest the general direction of the country.
“I see our liberties being slowly eroded away, day by day,” she said. “Each event that happens every day in this administration is another deterrent to the founding fathers, to our Constitution. What we have believed in, what we have grown up with, is being changed without our consent.”
Summerlin resident Ron Guys, who emigrated from Colombia in 1961, said he worked his way up from washing dishes to business owner. He said what is happening in the United States is similar to what was happening in South America when he left.
“Now, Obama comes in and says, ‘OK, I’m going to be your business partner. I’m going to take 50 percent, you’re going to take 50 percent, because I have to give my 50 percent to all these people over here,” Guys said.
Local talk show radio host Casey Hendrickson of KXNT-840 AM said the TEA Party was not a partisan event. “This isn’t a Republican event, this isn’t a Democratic event,” he said. “This is an American event.”
The gathering was one of hundreds that took place across the country Wednesday.
Police estimated the Carson City crowd at more than 1,000, and they held up signs decrying socialism, deploring high taxes and lambasting the bailout. A large wooden replica of the Statue of Liberty was face down on the back of a truck.
Signs included: "I'm mad as hell and I vote," "No new taxes," "Wake Up America," "Anybody but Harry," and "It's the Spending Stupid."
And many that accused Obama of spreading socialism or even leading the country to communism.
Reno Republican Assemblyman Ty Cobb addressed the crowd at one point, saying, "We don't need to be raising taxes. A lot of people don't get that."
Sun reporter David McGrath Schwartz contributed to this story.
Anything about 95% of Americans getting a tax cut under Obama? or him trying to save 3.5 million jobs? My guess is NO.
i saw the rally,must be the same,in front of sunset park,my feelings were mixed joyful,sad..joyful on seeing the large turnout ..finally a real public show of opinion..it needs to get stronger ...sad because the same crowd could have devoted their time to local problems like the ever rising nv power bill..im not complaining.i hope this is just a start and not a one day 30 minute rally.
Nevada unemployment:
NOV 8.0%
DEC 8.4%
JAN 9.4%
FEB 10.1%
Sorry the Bureau of Labor statistics doesn't go further. Maybe all those demonstrators don't have a job?
I wonder if those out of work demosntrators will return their "socialist unemployment checks" !!!
Why did they use a county park? If government is evil, they should have found a private location.
It's funny to see how people view things on different sides of the fence.
those who bash obama are hypricitical and should give back the unemployment they paid in taxes becauuse they are expressing their opinion to not like the TARP's.
Those who bash the people who like Obama are right wingnuts, out of touch, racist and/or idioic for their views.
This was just a demonstation just like the many others the obama fans have been giving the past decade or so. the only difference is it's a new crowd of people and they are the ones who have been laid off and see no value in the money being spent because they think it's all going to rich people and large companies who got us into this mess.
Honestly, I voted for McCain and still wish he would have won, but the spending started with Bush and continuted with Obama, you really have to blame government as a whole for getting involved in this mess; not just since 2007, I am talking 1997 and forward. The current situation isn't Obama doing, although that will likely change in the future when the economy is going well again and tax rates are raised to histoic highs to pay for the money we are spending today.
I do get the protests, but you cannot have it both ways, you either suffer really badly now and not spend, or calm the suffering now by spending and cause pain when times are a lot better by taxing the crap out of America.
On another note, seeing the way people DON'T save any money, it's not entirely that bad spending their money for them ahead of time as a whole... I'd rather suffer now though then stunt the good times in 2-3 years though if I had my druthers.
"Anything about 95% of Americans getting a tax cut under Obama?"
I already spent my $11 this week. Purchased some happy meals for the boys. Told them that they were really buying it. Uncle Sam used their charge cards to give me the $11. Told them to enjoy the fruits of their future labor because they were going work harder to pay for the interest on that federal debt forever.
I am thrilled these protestors have been so consistent. I remember well their loud protests when President Bush doubled the national debt over an eight-year period.
Oh, wait...
Good for all of these tea parties across the nation. These are people from both parties. Both President Bush and Obama have upset many people with their bailout plans and other tax issues. Let's see what comes out of this during the next year. And many people who are negative towards this protest, were they vocal against the illegal alien marches or the anti war protests?
RJ has it at 2,000-2500. The Sun says "hundreds" although reports the police say over a thousand. Interesting.
Some of you forget some very important things.
1) Unemployment benefits were once privately run. Government insurance crowded it out and eliminated it all together.
2) Obama is paying for the tax cuts by eliminating tax deductions to charities. Again, government "services" crowd out private charities (which often do a much better job at serving the needy than the government).
3) Republicans borrow and spend Democrats tax and spend. Both sides forget things pretty quickly, like how Democrats invaded or bombed about a dozen countries during the 90s and the Republicans accused Democrats of trying to be the world police.
4) Obama's federal stimulus policy = Bush on steroids. In fact our federal bailout package is more than the cost of World War I and World War II combined.
5) I've yet to see much evidence that increasing taxes improves the economy.
"RJ has it at 2,000-2500. The Sun says "hundreds" although reports the police say over a thousand. Interesting."
Let me scroll up a few paragraphs...
"In the Las Vegas area, well over 1,000 people gathered at Sunset Park to decry taxation policies supported by the Obama administration."
"Interesting," indeed. What are you inferring, Patrick?
i dont see my $11. my paycheck is still the same as before, wtf
It's hard to make the case these tea parties were about party politics.
For instance read about the California tea party "smacking down" the GOP chair - http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/cal...
or check out the history of the tea parties - http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/a-t... Yep, not about parties, but principles.
Read more about the Las Vegas teaparty - http://www.writeonnevada.com/2009/04/las...
vegasj, of course they didn't say anything about jobs. This is the party of NO. NO ideas, NO alternatives, just petulant whining from sore losers.
With no ideas, they're left decrying political ideas they don't even understand. It's McCarthyism for Dummies. "It's socialism!" "It's communism!" It's the new Red Scare.
They conveniently kept silent as Bush went haywire with the nation's credit cards. No protests, no calls to action when the guy in charge has that nifty R next to his name.
These people have bought - wholesale and with no questions - what Reagan was selling back in the '80's. Cut everyone's taxes and it'll all get better! Meanwhile, Republican after Republican rang up tremendous amounts of debt on the nation's credit cards. The first Bush followed in the footsteps of his old boss. The second Bush peevishly outdid his own father. These protestors stayed silent.
Now that we're faced with a nearly unprecendented crisis, they've trotted out their tired old carnival barkers to try to sell us what we've already rejected. Tax cuts! That'll fix it! That pothole in your road? A tax cut for the wealthy will fix it! The real estate bubble? The market will correct itself! Trust in the market! It needs more freedom!
So some elected them, and any dissent was followed with jeers. "You're not a patriot!" "How dare you! Why don't you support the President!" "You're not a real American!" The dumbed-down pathos of a political ideology built on a house of cards.
So forgive me, oh angry mob, if I dismiss your cries and slobbering anger. Your convenient misery actually makes me smile.
ksand99 thanks for pointing out the inconsistency in the headline vs. what is in the story.
The headline blares "Hundreds" came to the park.
In the story it says, "Thousands".
LOL.....they do that every once in a while.
They really do not have people double checking their work.
Thebs,
Some ideas: http://npri.org/docLib/20090318_Failure_...
http://npri.org/publications/npris-recom...
http://npri.org/docLib/20090113_Choosing...
http://npri.org/publications/rolling-the...
By the way, I wouldn't call a slight increase in government spending a crisis...
...at least for Nevada...now the federal government spending increase is another story. According to Reason.tv, the federal bailout plan (approved by Bush and expanded under Obama) will be more than the cost of World War I and II combined (and that is after adjusting for inflation so they claim).
Patrick, your employer (and also your 'corporate sponsor') subscribes to the very bankrupt and failed ideology that led us into this crisis. Like so many on the far right, your language seeks to mitigate the crisis and your "ideas" offer nothing more than warmed-over Reaganomics. You offer a thinly veiled rehash of policies which have failed.
Lest you forget NPRI's greatest beneficiary, one Mr. Sheldon Adelson, hosted a GOP fundraiser in early 2008 with George W, Bush at Mr. Adelson's own home. He's a great friend to George W. Bush, and a significant fundraiser for other GOP luminaries such as Tom DeLay and Rick Santorum.
How does NPRI reconcile taking generous funding from a man who helped elect George W. Bush with public statements criticizing government debt? Such convenient outrage again seems convenient...
It seems Patrick and NPRI are unconcerned with double-digit unemployment and home prices which have fallen off of a cliff. Crisis? Nah, just financial Darwinism.
Thebs is the typical liberal, blame bush crowd. In fact, real conservatives did speak ill of bush and his spending. But the real hypocracy in your comment is blaming republicans for spending so much money, yet your obama is spending or has spent more then all three presidents you mentioned and he has only been there for a few months. So either spending is bad in your view, or only republican spending is bad. make up your mind.
At some point in time, down the line, taxes are going up and so is the stagflation index. Buy your coupons now.
To those interested in exploring beyond the false 'left-right', 'liberal-conservative', 'democrat-republican' or 'obama-bush' paradigms, and learning about the root cause of our tax and economic problems, please take a look at: http://www.endthefed.us/
Where were these people when Bush was creating an astronomical deficit?
"I wonder if those out of work demosntrators will return their "socialist unemployment checks" !!!"
I have never collected unemployment in my life. And yes, I attended the tax protest today. I am neither Democrat nor Republican-- as far as I can see there is no difference other than rhetoric between the two...both intend to take as much money out of my pocket as they can and give it to someone else.
I was there as I paid almost 30% of my income in Federal, FICA, SSDI and other taxes.
I am tired of footing the bill for socialism.
HEY MICHAEL GREEN, F.Y.I. clark county do,s not own that park we do the taxpayers, they just managed it with are TAX DOLLARS. Typical liberal once again putting government ahead of the people, YEA THE TAXPAYERS.
can't you guys get that heidi harris a real job, looks like a ex cocktail waitress. goverments so bad give back any veteran, social security, medicare, medicaid, student loans, etc, etc, etc. these were just a bunch of ill informed folks. easy to see how jews were hated in germany in the 30-40's. rush says hate-they hate. sad commentary for our country
I wonder if these protesters know the true meaning of tea bagging. I won't print it here as this is a family paper. No smut postings allowed.
Let me refresh your memory,we had a democratic congress duering the last 2 years of Bush,and they sat and did nothing! It seems that the paper that those 76 men signed meant nothing,and aimless of soliders died for it,only for Obooma to wipe his butt with! If you read between the lines,and look close it is against the law for them to take federal taxes!!! (by the way,my 16 year old son did the research)
Opinions are like... Everyone has one.
Red state trailer trash losers yelling about nothing. Never willing to pay their fair share.
Better tax under Obama. These people are losers.
"I am tired of footing the bill for socialism."
Well, if you ever find a way to save up some money with all these super high ultra taxes, be sure to look into spending some of it on an education.
HEY, Rumrunner, way to go! You tell em!
So, You & the boy live in a "secret compound" out in the desert? Tin-foil hats & stuff?
Big ol' hound dog tied up at the trailer steps? Anti-gov'ment buddies come over & shoot at beer cans with rifles?
Sounds cool! How's that old pickup truck runnin'?
Hey don't hate i need working people to pay higher taxes because i need my food stamps and free health care. I have 12 kids and they need a place to live so the government needs to tax extra. if u work you have money so u can pay. I don't work cuz that's what the welfare is for. We need to keep having democrats so we can eventually get money for hair die and free cars. If someone worked hard to own or start a bussiness they should get taxed since they have money.
i going to be patience god knows i was patience for 8 long years inflation started at end of 2007 how come no one did anything. all bush did was denied there is inflation untill 2008 in october and still said there is no problem of economy. he had whole year to fix it but sat on his thumb in his a&&. you can't fix 8 years of f&&& up in three month.
gmag.your an a$$!!! you prob voted for bama,and now your seeing the ill to your ways!!! i am fully retired! by my own means! have 5 kids all 4.0 gpa! 2 of which attend the UNIVERSITY OF MICH! a 3 year old that prob knows more a.b.c s and all his numbers than you! AND I DID IT AS A SINGLE FATHER! NEXT TIME YOU SPOUT OUT YOUR A$$,GET YOUR FACTS!! AND IF YOU REALLY THINK YOUR VOTE COUNTS,I VE GOT SOME LAND IN IRAQ FOR SALE! INFACT I LL GIVE IT TO YOU! SEEING THAT YOUR SO BLIND ANYWAYS!!!
jfnance what did you do with the happy meals Bush gave to you with his tax rebates, while the wealthy got nearly a million dollars? By the way did you thank Bush for creating the worst national debt and the biggest government in history not to mention the trillions of dollars and thousands of lives lost and maimed by his lying war.
Anyone who reads your ridiculous rants is aware that you a sociopath who needs immediate mental health help.
If this is change, keep it. Barry has backed down on keeping the middle class tax cuts in place. Rolling back cuts is the same as raising taxes. The taxes are going up. The Bush years are looking pretty good.
Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney must beat Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2012 because they are of the superior conservative right wing philosophy in that they are pro God and Christianity, pro life, pro marriage; pro guns-second amendment, pro low taxes, pro low government spending; pro small government, pro unintrusive government, pro traditional and judeo Christian values; pro Bible reading and prayer in our public schools, pro Christians schools and private education , pro private and free enterprise; pro military spending, anti arms agreements with Russia, pro creation; pro nuclear, pro conservative supreme court judges, pro American sovereignty; pro capitalism, anti communist, anti socialist; anti immigration, and pro constitution.Barack Obama and Joe Biden are of the inferior liberal and left wing ideology in that they are against every thing that Sarah Palin and Mitt Ronmney are for and they are for every thing that Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney are against
Palin-Romney 2012 or Romney-Palin 2012