Tea Party: Will you be drinking or dunking?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/15/art.teaparty1.gi.jpg caption="Activists nationwide are holding gatherings on Tax Day, April 15."]WASHINGTON (CNN) – Finger sandwiches won't be served, but there will be a lot of frustration brewing about the current tax system at "Tea Parties" being held Wednesday across the nation.
Activists are holding these events on tax day to voice their opposition to the current tax system and the federal government's spending decisions, such as bailing out the banks and the auto industry.
So, what do you think? Have President Obama and Congress taken the right steps to help the ailing economy? Have Republicans been smart to oppose his fiscal policies? Does the tax code need an overhaul?
Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Here are some CNN stories about the nationwide "Tax Day Tea Party":
Activists gear up for national 'Tax Day Tea Party'
GOP uses tax day to raise money
GOP encourages supporters to send virtual tea bags to top Dems
Listen: CNN Radio analyzes the politics of Tax Day
They're just mad because Bush is gone and so are their tax breaks! Get a life people. The 2008 tax filings are still under Bush, so were the trillions of dollars of debt that started this snowball. The Repugs are out of touch with no new ideas to bring to the table. So lame. Brainwashed by Rick Santelli, Fox news, and the Newt.
Do these loons realize what teabagging is?
Rayfield wrote: What's an army and Navy used for you knuckleheads?
My guess is dying in a war based on lies in order to make no-bid contractors fabulously wealthy and give Exxon record profits. What do I win?
To all you libs. Why do you hate America? You people are the worst haters of all.
When Bush INCREASED taxes on the middle-class while giving the top 5% a tax cut where was the anger then? When McCain PROMISED to make permanent the Bush tax cuts for the rich where was the outrage by the Right? When Bush started a policy of warrant-less wiretaps and began imprisoning people indefinitely without evidence where were the signs YELLING this is fascism? I'm sorry but cutting taxes for the 95% of us is not Fascism or Socialism ... it's called being fair.
Sadly, the people that are actually doing the protesting are the ones getting a tax break and they're too uniformed to know about it.
When you have Senator Burr telling North Carolina business owners Monday the collapse of major financial institutions last fall convinced him his family's bank accounts could have been frozen. "On Friday night, I called my wife and I said, 'Brooke, I am not coming home this weekend. I will call you on Monday. Tonight, I want you to go to the ATM machine, and I want you to draw out everything it will let you take. And I want you to tomorrow, and I want you to go Sunday,'" Burr said during a speech at a Henderson County Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Republicans are actually going to try and tank the economy to prove they were right. Is anyone else worried about this?
It's scary but these right wingers are very unstable . I listened to their shows sometimes and Mark Levin screams and carries on. It's really sad
If you have money for a tea bag or to contribute to the deaf and dumb party – then you have probably cheated the public in one way or the other. Today is tax day – just like tithe day at your church – give so your brothers AND you will have a better life.
@Carl...It is going to be okay....Take deep breaths.
Republicans tea bag as President Obama explains lower taxes for most Americans. How childish!
Note to the free lunch bunch:
You do not believe for one second that this nation can run without taxation. You just want others to carry the load for you.
All of you want to avoid paying any taxes yourself, but you will take part in the nation's political life and use its infrastructure.
Will you call the fire department if your house is on fire? Will you expect the Army to defend you if North Korea launches a missile at California? Will you expect the police to come to your house if someone is trying to break in? Will you expect regulators to regulate the banks so we are not dumped into an economic disaster again? Will you expect voting machines to be at your precinct next election day? Do you want to pick up the tab for your grandmother's cataract surgery instead of medicare? Do you want inspectors to make sure your kids formula does not contain antifreeze? Do you want health inspectors to visit the peanut factory that makes your kid's peanut butter, to make sure is is not swarming with rats and maggots? Do you expect air traffic controllers to prevent two planes from trying to land on the same runway at the same time? If there is a hurricane, should FEMA rescue you and your kids from the swirling waters? Do you want courts to deal with the pedaphile who lives down the block from you? Do you want the FBI to keep a watchful eye on possible terrorist groups in America? That is your tax money in action.
Those who are opposed to the current rate of taxation: recommend some government benefits that you currently receive that you would be willing to live without.
aren't those the same republican nutjobs who thought that the economy was sound this time last year???
This was a fairly unorganized, grass roots effort, wait until people find out they are considered rich next year when the Obama tax increases really start hitting.
To Some Guy
We should EDUCATE the young. They are the future and the seeds must sprout for a new re-birth. Next, we MUST use our God-given brain and change our health-care system. I dont know what to say, but BUsh missed a really great chance to JUMP us into the 21st Century. As a Christian, scares me to think about everything, but I believe it was MEANT to be this way. Bush served to crush Saddam to leave a way for peace in the middle East and to crush the global economy to pave the way for one-world government. Obie is NOW serving to pave the way for the Anti Christ. He's a shadow of a man that is to come and present himself as a great world leader. All I can say is prepare for 666. Save your soul and stop thinking about Earth.
Are these people really that historically challenged that they don't see that a "tea party" is, at this point, UNAMERICAN. The original tea party was a slap at the powers that be (Great Britain) for over taxing them. So now the power is us, America, so their actions are by definition UNAMERICAN.
I understand being pissed at how high taxes are, we all are. But since the "so called" conservative party doubled government spending and drove the debt to new record highs, they now show their unbridled hypocrisy to now say that they are standing up for lower taxes. What they need instead of a tea party is a twelve step program to come to grip with who they really are and what they really support and how they drove this country to economic ruin.
The rest of us loyal Americans will speak up and do our part by voting and working within the process. We can once again be a strong, respected nation, by working to make it so. Not by this pathetic UNAMERICAN display that is just for camera time and their 15 minutes of fame.
BF
This is what I don't get. Were was this furry when Bush was in office. The taxcode has not changed at all!!!!! And when it does it will simply end the tax cuts for the wealthy. My husband and I fall under the 250k banner and we are not out there acting like fools. And to all of you complaining about spending, you better make darn sure you do not partake in any of the funds that are spent. This ani't Burger King you can' thave it your way. You can't complain about it and then benefit from it!!!
Dear Oh Gee,
Congratulations on your tax cut. I earn a good deal more than $250,000. I did it my working two jobs while I put myself through law school. My parents did not give me a dollar after I turned 13. But I'm a fat cat, and you're a part of the hard working middle class. What utter nonsense. If I'm a "fat cat,' you're someone too lazy or lacking enough talent to earn what I earn.
Also... For God's sake, learn how to spell and write with somewhat legible grammar!
Carl, I get the feeling you are upset. Have fun today.
I am disappointed to see so many American citizens allow themselves to be manipulated by the right-wing talk shows and Republican millionaires. These are the very people that are being helped by the steps the current administration is taking to improve the economony. .
Tom Saskentin April 15th, 2009 12:30 pm ET
The Tea Parties did not take place for the past 8 years because BUSH CUt taxes for everyone…the bottom that paid 15% were cut to 10%….people never research the facts. Today the top 10% pay for 72% of the taxes.
Tom Saskentin
Arizona
-
Tom, do you know why the top 10% pays 72% of the taxes? Because they also make 60% of the income. You neglected to include the important factual aspect of your comment.
That's the nasty truth you won't learn on fox or at a teabagging – sounds like someone needs to follow his own advice and do some research himself.
@ Beth: It's OK for anyone to protest anything they dare to. Not the issue. The issue is anti-intellectual tools being crassly manipulated by a faux grass roots "movement" with a typical republican duplicitous name. The issue here is the continuing conservative tactic of sanctimonious outrage manufactured at will to pump up ratings and support extremist conscriptions.
And regarding the relatively MINUSCULE amount of money proposed for feedlot odor research – I challenge you to live for one day next to one of these big business/government sponsored cesspools and not be coughing your lungs out, seeking relief for your burning eyes, and throwing your stinking clothes away when you leave.
Hay Mark........ Who paid for G.W. and Cheney mess? Aren't we all paying for it now? Isn't that the reason why President Obama has to do what he has been doing to try to get us out of the crisis G.W. left behind. How soon they forget. I don't know about anyone else, but I can't afford to waste my tea, it cost to much. If I am about to lose my house, I couldn't give a darn about this tea party the Republicans started. Well maybe I do, a nice cup of hot tea would keep me warm while I'm sitting underneath the over path cause I have no home.
This mess started with Reaganomics, unfortunately. We had a brief period of solvency under Clinton, and George W Bush put the country underwater for good. I have not heard ONE IDEA from the Republican party or the associated crazies that will help the working middle class. This is a stupid publicity stunt and will do nothing.
The debt doesn't matter because for all the bluster, the American economy drives the world. The debate over the debt only serves to demean the American worker, the most productive anywhere.
@Alec, Washington DC
With your long, windy post – perhaps you should take a course in economics if you can't see train coming down the track...mindless liberals....