Anti-Tax Protesters At State Capitol Protesting American Tax Policy (July 4, 2009)
OLYMPIA -
Hundreds of protesters raised their voices against taxes at the state capitol today -- and in several other Washington cities -- as thousands across the nation celebrated Independence Day with Tea Party rallies.
Olympia's organizer Anton Rehling said he expected a huge turnout on the capitol steps -- and close to 600 people did show -- to protest the Obama Administration's economic policies.
The "Taxed Enough Already" (TEA) event in Olympia took place in concert with hundreds of others around the country. Similar rallies took place in Bellingham, Puyallup, on Mercer Island and in Spokane.
Organizers of the protests say they're concerned about a national debt out of control, and President Obama adding 78,000 new government jobs to the federal payroll since he took office.
Protesters believe the increase in hundreds of millions of dollars in debt will add to the mountains of debt being left for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rehling said he thinks Congress and the Obama administration went beyond what the Constitution allows when the auto industry was bailed out and financial assistance was approved for insurer AIG.
State Democratic Party chairman Dwight Pelz last month has said he welcomes the protests, saying it's good for people to deal with important issues of the day that affect them.
State Republican Party chairman Luke Esser attended the Tea Party even at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island and spoke to a crowd of about 150 people. Esser said he is aware of many other events being put on by different groups none of which are sponsored by the Republican Party.
Olympia's organizer Anton Rehling said he expected a huge turnout on the capitol steps -- and close to 600 people did show -- to protest the Obama Administration's economic policies.
The "Taxed Enough Already" (TEA) event in Olympia took place in concert with hundreds of others around the country. Similar rallies took place in Bellingham, Puyallup, on Mercer Island and in Spokane.
Organizers of the protests say they're concerned about a national debt out of control, and President Obama adding 78,000 new government jobs to the federal payroll since he took office.
Protesters believe the increase in hundreds of millions of dollars in debt will add to the mountains of debt being left for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rehling said he thinks Congress and the Obama administration went beyond what the Constitution allows when the auto industry was bailed out and financial assistance was approved for insurer AIG.
State Democratic Party chairman Dwight Pelz last month has said he welcomes the protests, saying it's good for people to deal with important issues of the day that affect them.
State Republican Party chairman Luke Esser attended the Tea Party even at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island and spoke to a crowd of about 150 people. Esser said he is aware of many other events being put on by different groups none of which are sponsored by the Republican Party.
