700 gather at capitol for TEA Party

State News

July 7, 2009

They don't like taxes, big government or Obama

RONNIE ELLIS The McCreary County Record Tue Jul 07, 2009, 12:35 PM EDT

FRNKFORT — Around 700 people showed up on the state Capitol steps on Independence Day to stage their own TEA Party and voice their displeasure with policies of President Barack Obama and Congress.

TEA stands for “Taxed Enough Already,” and that was a theme of most speakers and their supporters in the crowd, but there were plenty of complaints about Obama who many said is leading the country “on a path to socialism.”

Miranda Davidson, 16, of Greenup carried a sign which read: “Obamanomics: Chains You Can Believe In.” She said her primary concern is the federal debt.

“I don’t like being put in debt before I even have money,” she said. “When me and my sister get older, we’ll have to pay for all the bailouts and we have no say in it.”

Her father, Jeramie Davidson, said it isn’t just Obama, not just Democrats who are the problem, but both parties and the whole government.

“I’m tired of all of the government sticking their noses in our business and taking away our freedoms,” said the elder Davidson. “You’ve got the radical left-wing in control of everything and we’re fed up about it.”

John Brown of Flatwoods told the crowd that nationalists are in power and distinguished that philosophy from patriotism.

“A nationalist is a person who loves his government,” Brown said. “A patriot is a person who loves his country and I am a patriot.”

He went on to say it is “foolish to keep returning to power” the same political leaders who have created a “central government out of control.” He said the people have the power to change things, the power of the ballot.

Most of the speakers primarily blamed Obama – who lost both the Democratic primary and general elections badly in Kentucky – for unemployment, high taxes and creeping socialism. But several sprinkled in boiler plate conservative social issues, including abortion and second amendment rights.

One of those was David Carr of the King of Kings Radio Network, a conservative Christian broadcasting group. Carr, of Somerset, talked about abortion as well as economic issues and said at one point that “members of Congress have no right to appropriate public money.”

Several in the crowd held small signs that said Democratic Kentucky Congressmen John Yarmuth of Louisville and Ben Chandler of Versailles should be replaced. Others held up signs critical of Obama, including some recalling unsubstantiated campaign charges about Obama’s citizenship.

“Where’s the birth certificate?” read one held by an elderly lady.

Dan Miler, a Lexington attorney and partner in The Conservative Underground Company, was doing a brisk business selling T-shirts with a large “O” over the word “crap” and “Don’t Blame Me – I voted for McCain” bumper stickers.

He said, “Business is booming,” but he said it wasn’t just anti-Obama buyers boosting his take.

“Based on my sales, it’s more anti-tax, anti-government,” Miller said, pointing to T-shirts which bore those kinds of messages. “The O-No and O-Crap shirts are selling well but anything with McCain isn’t selling.” One bumper sticker that was selling was “Sarah 2012.” That would be Sarah Palin, John McCain’s vice presidential nominee and Alaska governor.

Palin announced Friday she’s resigning as governor. She’s a popular choice among some conservatives to run for president in 2012.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.

Text Only

State News

Shepherd brings legislature to stop
FRANKFORT — Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd not only put on hold the filing deadline for candidates for state House and Senate districts — he effectively shut down the business of the General Assembly.

February 3, 2012
Jensen still pushing for pseudoephedrine legislation
FRANKFORT – Debate on legislation to require prescriptions for cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine has been heated and it appears it may heat up some more, given remarks in the Kentucky State Senate on Friday.

February 3, 2012
Special election Feb. 7 for Comer's seat
The Feb. 7 special election to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. James Comer, who was elected Commissioner of Agriculture in November, will be conducted according to the previous district lines as they existed before the General Assembly

January 26, 2012
Confusion reigns
Angry lawmakers who saw their legislative districts changed or taken away from them continued to discuss the possibility of legal action while the newly enacted law seems to call into question a special election to fill the unexpired term of new Agriculture

January 25, 2012
VIDEO - Floor speech by Rep. Jill York on House Bill 1-January 12, 2012
Redistricting is a big issue right now going on in Carter and surrounding counties.

Jill York, current Representative of the 96th District spoke about the redistricting on Thursday.

Click the headline for video and audio

January 14, 2012
Changes afoot on congressional map
FRANKFORT — A new congressional district map approved Thursday by a Democratic-controlled House committee would substantially alter five of the state’s districts and make the First and Fifth Districts more receptive to Democrats.

January 11, 2012 1 Photo
Education coalition speaks its mind in Frankfort
FRANKFORT — Public perception may be that the state’s elementary and secondary schools haven’t faced real funding cuts in recent years, but a coalition of education groups said Wednesday that is wrong and schools need more money.

January 5, 2012
Longtime political figure dies
FRANKFORT — One of Kentucky’s most colorful political figures, Gatewood Galbraith, a perennial candidate for statewide office, has died.
Galbraith, 64, apparently died in his sleep and his body was discovered by a family member

January 5, 2012 1 Photo
Williams to remain Senate President
FRANKFORT — All the speculation was apparently misplaced. David Williams, the Burkesville Republican who lost the 2011 governor’s race to incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear, will remain president of the Kentucky State Senate at least for another year.

December 21, 2011 1 Photo
Beshear talks gambling at inaugural festivities
FRANKFORT Gov. Steve Beshear used his inaugural speech Tuesday to call for “allowing the people of Kentucky to vote on expanded gaming within our borders” and also said it is time for some sort of tax reform.

December 14, 2011 2 Photos
More State News Headlines

State News

Search Results

700 gather at capitol for TEA Party

They don't like taxes, big government or Obama

Site Map

Contact Us