Posted: April 22, 2009

By Nancy J. Thorner

According to a recent Department of Homeland Security report issued by Janet Napolitano, I am an enemy of the state and a right wing extremist. My offense? Out of concern for this nation's economic decline and our government's grab for power, I attended Chicago's April 15th Tea Party - one of over 700 in all 50 states.

The Chicago Sun-Times covered the event under the headline, "Tax protesters vent rage in Chicago, across U.S." The article included a particularly distasteful remark by U.S. Congressman Jan Schakowsky where she labeled the protests as "an effort to misrepresent the public about the Obama economic plan."  She then went on to call the Tea Parties, "a shameful political stunt."

 

Perhaps Schakowsky received her talking points from the White House via Napolitano's Homeland Security directive?

 

The truth is that last week's Tea Parties represented a grassroots movement with no specific leader or origin. Concern started with President Bush's $168 billion economic stimulus, and picked up steam with the 2008 housing bailout. Then came TARP - and then Tarp II. President Obama's trillion dollar "stimulus" was close behind, followed by the auto bailout, and more bailouts likely to be named later.

 

Is it any wonder that so many Americans have grown weary of the ever expanding size and scope of the federal government under the Obama Administration? 

 

The Tea Parties were reported as protests with rage. Protest they were, but those who participated in Chicago's Tea Party were respectful and orderly with their expressions of concern. If anyone was on the verge of becoming disorderly, some might say it was that liberal CNN reporter assigned to cover the event in Chicago.

 

Let's hope that Republican and Democratic politicians alike took notice of the voices coming from the Tax Day Tea Parties. The message couldn't have been clearer. Things must change in Washington!

 

 

Nancy J. Thorner is a Precinct Committeeman in Lake County, Illinois.