Lansing Michigan Tea Party 2009

[prisoner_24601]

Yes, I went to a Tea Party today. It was pretty kickass. However, I realize that since most of my f-list doesn't share my fiscal conservative leanings, so this might not be the post for you, although you are all certainly welcome to post and disagree with me.



I just want to state before I show the pictures that:

1. I blame the Republicans just as much the Democrats for the out of control spending that's going on in Washington right now. George Bush along with congressional Republicans started this bullshit with their bailouts and overblown spending budgets and their reckless Federal Reserve policies. The Democrats (like Barney Frank - who ignored all of the warning signs at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and Barack Obama seem hell bent on making the problem worse. I blame them all equally. I was so pissed at the first bailout done by GW that not only did I call all of my Representatives and bitch, I voted against my Democrat Senator and Republican representative in the 2008 election.

2. I'm not a Republican. I'm not a Democrat. I'm an independent who thinks that both MSNBC and FOX news are full of overblown talking head asshats, and gets her news primarily from NPR and the Wall Street Journal. Right now I'm pretty equally angry at MSNBC for marginalizing a legitimate protest as a handful of racist right winger loons, as I am at Fox news for trying to co-opt and cash in on these protest that have jack all to do with them.

3. I went to law school right across from the capitol building, and in the course of three years, I'd seen a lot of protests, but never one this large or active before. There had to be at least 5,000 people there (MSNBC claims 7000 - I think that's probably a bit high).

Anyway fun protest picture time. And what would a protest be without a giant pig? Actually, it makes for a great place to meet up with people in that big of a crowd, because seriously, you cannot miss the giant freaking pig. I kind of wonder where the giant pig gets stored. Like maybe just sits in someone's driveway, being all large and pink and obnoxious and driving the neighbors crazy.



Some questionable fashion choices. A part of me thinks it takes a lot of confidence to show up in public in a tricorn hat and coat. A part of me is sad that he didn't come entirely in costume with pants and a wig to match.



Definitely the scariest thing I saw all day - old people in mohawks, which apparently was a theme. I have no idea what the hell that was about, but the crowd was too loud to ask.





Some people angry with our Governor (there was a lot of that actually). Given how messed up Michigan has gotten during her eight years in office, I really don't blame them.


Another sign directed specifically at our Governor.



Some people angry with the Federal Reserve giving out cheap money and devaluing the dollar. There were a ton of people protesting this (including myself).





Bailout frustration.



People angry with the president and congress.



People angry about the debt that's going to be passed to the next generation.









Heh.



And my favorite sign of the day - one that I think sums up how I and a lot of other people felt:

Comments

[rose70.livejournal.com]

The scariest thing for me, I think, is not knowing where this is all going to take us, except that I'm almost certain it's going to be somewhere bad. How bad is the $700 billion dollar question....

Bah!

[nivenus.livejournal.com]

You're right about me having different views but I'm just glad you had a blast. It ain't a free country if you can't have fun expressing yourself.

[kitbug.livejournal.com]

I like how the one guy modeled himself off the minutemen. True Boston tea party fashion, it's a shame he only half-assed it. XD

And I want you to know that while I might not agree with all of them, I respect your views entirely.

[maddcoffeybrown.livejournal.com]

That's pretty awesome, finally this country(no matter what side you take) are actually paying attention! That right there makes me feel better, because people are pissed and are showing it! How long has it been where shit happens and no one even blinks?
Anyway, i think the folks wearing mohawks is a "shout out" to the native americans, considering that the original Boston Tea Party protesters dressed up like native americans. The irony. Honestly, I believe Obama is/was "trying" but I think he knows we are seriously 'fucked up'. Doing something about it or nothing at all won't pull our asses out the fire. One of those "damn if you do and damn if you don't"
I would LOVE to set fire to FOX! We are in a serious mess right now,and blaming which party for who ain't helping.
I can only find some good news in this "my state of alabama" money being tight as it is, has slowed the number of excutions on death row. Instead of the 5 our beloved crooked attorney state general Troy King wanted, he had to make the decision to whittle the number down to three this year. He's under federal investgation for misconduct-going all the way back to beginning years as a fresh face lawyer! The feds may have to review ALL Troy King's cases.
The good thing about all this mess, is what was done in the dark is coming to light, and anyone that got their hand caught in the cookie jar can't weasle thier way out. No smooth talking is going to set them free.
I am pissed that the banks are getting bailed out with my little $$/per hour check! I say let the banks go down. Hell, the banks repo your shit when you can't pay, but now that THEY can't pay the banks want us to pay?
I suppose that rich fat cats money can be used as toliet paper, because with the way things are going it'll be worth that much.
I should cash in my Monopoly property now-LOL! I still own Park Place and Broadway! Passing Go would be my one time stimtlus check. LOL

[allronix1.livejournal.com]

My objection is that no one pitched a bitch over high taxes and deficit spending like this when it was Regan and the Pentagon was ordering $500 toilet seats, and that people want to tar and feather the Democrats as "tax and spend" when Slick Willie Clinton could manage a budget with a surplus.

Do I like the deficit spending? Hell, no. I've refused to send any petitions to my state government to save programs, even programs that I wish would not get cut. However, I am tired of people not grasping the concept that stuff like fire departments, schools, roads, libraries, unemployment, and other benefits of civilization do not come cheap. America also gets off light compared to Canada, Japan, and most of Europe. We are losing ground against other countries in terms of economic viability part due to the neglect of our infrastructure, educational system, and health care. We're going to need to fix them if we have a hope in hell for the long term.

I'm also furious over the fact that 2/3 of corporations pay NO taxes, and that those who can pay CPAs to cook the books a bit can weasel out of their share or create some tax haven out of a Bahamas mail drop while the (honest folk/proletariat/working class/rest of us) have to make up for their share. I also hate that most of my tax dollars get flushed on a debt that was primarily made up of no-bid "defense" contracts, war and energy profiteering (among other creative ways to kill people), and rewarding the bastards who outsource to sweatshops. I'd rather my share of the civilization bill go for education, diplomacy, and making sure our bridges don't collapse.

[thehundfamily.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

We were there, too. We were the large group with lots of kids :) It *was* kickass! :)

[kosiah.livejournal.com]

Lord knows, I am no economist. But I think the thing is, after years of near-zero rates of inflation, we actually need some. And printing money... it will do that. It's not going to be pretty, but it does need to happen in order to bring housing, education and healthcare costs back in line with real salaries. (Which will have to go up, and will, if money gets... well, cheaper.)

The other alternative, deflation, is much, much uglier.

I think, anyways.

[fezastwin.livejournal.com]

Just think, on top of all this the baby boomers will be starting to retire soon.

There's no way Social Security and Medicare will be able to keep up when that alone hits.


We are well and truly screwed.