News Article That Appeared in Monterey Peninsula Herald re: Tax Day Tea Party Held In Monterey on 4/15/2009

NEWS ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN HERALD RE: "TEA PARTY" TAX DAY RALLY- HELD ON 4/15/2009:

Monterey: Protesters fed up with government spending
By LARRY PARSONS Herald Staff Writer
Updated: 04/16/2009 08:02:17 AM PDT

A tea party protest drew about 600 people in Monterey on Wednesday, all voicing their fervent displeasure with taxes, government spending and the Obama administration. Carrying wind-whipped signs and American flags, the crowd lined the sidewalk at Window on the Bay Park on Del Monte Boulevard for two hours as afternoon commuters drove by. It was among dozens of Tax Day Tea Party demonstrations across the country. Unlike several of the protests that featured top Republican Party figures and Fox News commentators, the Monterey crowd did its own speaking with signs condemning "pork" spending, taxes, illegal immigration, government bailouts, big government and the "change" promised by President Barack Obama.

There were Libertarians, stalwart Republicans and people who said they voted for Republican John McCain in November, but now consider themselves political independents. Brian McLaughlin, a 30-year-old student, wore a gray-and-white shirt that demanded "End the Fed." The Libertarian said the Federal Reserve's power to set interest rates represents the most onerous tax against "the poor and middle class."

Steve Lang, a 48-year-old Marina artist, carried a sign that declared "We Don't Want Obama's Fed-Zilla Government." He said the protest gave him and like-minded anti-Obama people the opportunity "to stand up and say, 'No more' to federal spending." On other side of Del Monte, about two dozen people carried Obama banners and pro-administration signs, including "I'm a proud American taxpayer," along with Libertarian-themed messages against big government.

Sean McCain, a Pacific Grove Libertarian, held a sign that said, "It's not about right or left. It's about truth. No more corruption." Lawrence Samuels, an organizer of the event and a Libertarian, said the turnout was great. He said he hoped it would help bridge the gap between people upset about taxes for military spending as well as other government programs.

"A lot of people don't like the Republican Party either," he said. "(It is) part of the problem."

Paul Bruno, a Monterey resident and state Republican Party officer, looked at the crowd and was all smiles. He said it was a true grassroots gathering, brushing aside critics who claimed the national Tea Party campaign was underwritten by GOP leaders and wealthy conservatives.

"I'm here as a taxpayer," Bruno said. "It's important we stand up so our government can hear us." The mood of the crowd appeared upbeat and buoyant. Libertarians wearing small pastel-colored buttons walked beside people carrying billowing "Don't Tread on Me" flags. Several protesters brought young children. Ed Mumm, a 72-year-old beekeeper from Watsonville, toted a sign that said, "Obama — Commander in Thief." He said politicians are taking "all of our money, from our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren."

Many carried signs against the president, but they were outnumbered by placards bearing more generic slogans against taxes, pork spending and politicians in general. William Miller, an unemployed Santa Cruz construction worker, had a two-sided sign that said "Flush the two-party septic tank in Washington D.C." on one side and "Enforce immigration laws" on the other.

"Our government is no longer responsive to the people of this country," said Miller, who fiercely criticized free-trade agreements.

Brian Scarr, a Salinas salesman, wore a red shirt with a yellow hammer-and-sickle and carried a flag with the same design and one word: "Change." He said some people didn't understand his ironic intent. "Some people think it's pro-Obama," he said. That's 180 degrees from the direction that Scarr said he sees the country going. "This country is headed toward communism," he said. "I hope the president opens his eyes and realizes there is a large group of people opposed to his policies."

Jeff Nadler, a maintenance worker at Salinas Valley State Prison, said freedom and capitalism are under siege. He said he is worried about reports that the Obama administration wants to set up forced indoctrination schools for children. "We're under an obvious threat of government intrusion into every aspect of our life," he said. Others didn't hold views quite so extreme.

Dorcas Miller-Gash, a Salinas hairdresser, said she wasn't protesting anything in particular, but wants politicians to be careful with public money.

Spencer Critchley, a spokesman for the Monterey County Democratic Party, watched the tea party demonstration from the other side of Del Monte. He cited the Obama administration's tax cut that he said would benefit most taxpayers. "People have the right to their own opinion," he said. "But they don't have a right to their own facts." But he did concede that, as a percentage of income, poor and middle-class taxpayers "have a heavier tax burden" than wealthy Americans.

A few feet away, Sam McNeely, a CSU-Monterey Bay student and Green Party member, held a sign that said, "Tax the Rich." He explained, "I came down to see what was going on. I liked the sign." Asked about the tea party rally across the street, McNeely said, "What you have there is a rebellion of the bourgeoisie."

Larry Parsons can be reached at 646-4379 or lparsons@montereyherald.com.