The masses take it to the elephants and the asses

There was a different kind of feeling of "hope" and "change" in the air today as an estimated 7,000 people (I think it was more) converged around the west steps of the California State Capitol in order to express their displeasure over the bailouts, the stimulus spending, and the inflationary spending that goes with it, that President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress are attempting with our hard-earned tax money, and the future earnings of our great-grandchildren.

Today's rally in downtown Sacramento was one of hundreds of Tax Day Tea Parties being held in cities all across the country. From the banking and auto industry bailouts, to the trillions of taxpayer dollars being spent to "stimulate" the economy, the attendees of today's rally made their feelings known with a plethora of signs, flags, t-shirts, and harsh words for our elected officials, both state and federal.

Some of the more memorable signs included one that used the words used in the title to this post; another told the government that we are not their ATM. There were also a huge number of Revolutionary War-era flags, complete with rattlesnakes and the words "Don't Tread On Me."

I attended today's Tea Party with my parents and my two children in tow (my wife had to work today). We arrived at the Capitol about twenty minutes before the official 12pm start time, but there were already thousands of people who had beaten us to the punch. The mood in the crowd was good-natured, but with a definite air of anxiety and fear for the future. I suspect one of the reasons for this anxious mood - aside from the aforementioned government spending spree - was a report that was just released by the Department for Homeland Security, entitled Assessment - Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment. This anger in the crowd over this DHS assessment was verbalized by the rally's MC, local talk host Eric Hogue, who challenged the head of DHS, Janet Napolitano, yelling to the enthusiastic crowd that if she wants to know where all these "right wing radicals" are, "We are right here!" I find it hard to believe that it was pure coincidence that this DHS report was released with full knowledge of the DHS director and presumably President Obama the day before the Tea Parties were scheduled to commence. This was a naked attempt to intimidate and demonize the Tea Party organizers and attendees.

Sacramento's Tax Day Tea Party was a rousing success. They had top-notch speakers, such as Eric Hogue, local radio hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, Fox News' Neil Cavuto, and national radio host Michael Reagan; they had good organization, with port-a-potties available, a jumbotron screen provided by Pajamas Media's PJTV, and sufficient room for the thousands of people in attendance to mill about; and most of all, the people who attended the Tea Party itself. I didn't see a bunch of the stereotypical "country club Republican" types that people on the left seem to think that people on the right tend to be. I saw thousands of the kind of people who make this country successful. If I didn't work for a living, I would attend many more rallies like this, but I can't... I work for a living. I think of the dedication that so many of these people showed by taking a day off work so they could come out and show their support for the future of the state of California, the future of our Republic, and the future for our children and their children. This rally reminded me that there are still people out there that can make this country great again. This will only happen if the enthusiasm we saw today and in cities across this nation continue through the upcoming election cycles where we must show our incumbent politicians that we want "Change" alright; but not the kind that Obama and his minions in Congress have in mind.

I end this, my 1,000th post by the way, with some pictures that I took at Sacramento's Tax Day Tea Party:

One of the "Don't Tread On Me" flags was carried by Yours Truly.

There were lots of tea bags and references to tea bags. C'mon, it was a Tea Party!

Down on the ground, it was difficult to manage a camera shot that conveys the enormity of the crowd. This was my best effort.

Luckily, a friend of mine who works at the Capitol got me the shot I was looking for.

My friend wasn't the only one looking down on the crowd from above. Big Brother was definitely watching us, both with binoculars and at least one official with a camera and telephoto lens.

A nice sampling of the many clever signs that were to be found at the Tea Party.


Patriotic flags were in abundance as well.

It was a beautiful day for a Tea Party!

For a three hour rally, my kids behaved wonderfully. They were truly intrigued by all the activity. Grandma was on hand for backup, just in case the Chanman Children decided to go on the rampage!

Good Day to You, Sir