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
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The something for nothing bunch is out in full plumage. This event is supposed to completely change the direction of the country? This event represents the awakening of a sleeping giant? More likely, this event represents delusions of grandeur for those defending the rich and shameless. Tinkle down economics hasn't worked and now we are broke. We either take a loan to fix our operations or fold up our tent. I have no problems with the direction of the country. It's better than the last eight years.
"These tea parties have nothing to do with what party you belong to, it just happens that the liberals could care less if we end up with 75% taxation and a socialist state. Ask the Russians how that worked out for them"
If we end up with higher taxation keep in mind that the 5 trillion Bush added to the debt has to be paid back too.
It seemed to work well for the Russians... they have vast oil and other natural resources to call on still.
The federal gives me tax money back & local goverment takes it back
with higher real estate & sales taxes. So where is the middle class
tax cut.
I voted for Obama.
I don't get it. I'm a hard working person who is well compensated for my work. I use roads to get to work, my children go to a good public school, I expect the police and firemen to protect my family and I have no problem with making sure poor kids have adequate health care. I am fine paying taxes for the services I enjoy, and, by the way, I'm enjoying my little tax cut from our new President!
Stop taxing me to death. Lets not reward those who don't even pay income taxes. Lets not punish those who work hard and are successful. Stop spending my and my kids money.
I'm getting upset that the original aim of the Colonists was not to overthrow the government, but was to have representation in the British parliment.
We voted for these people. Vote them out in 4 years if you don't like it.
Otherwise, its majority rule.
@ J.P., who said "when the government tries to make up the difference by overburdening ("taxing") your boss/company"
You guys are seriously 100% blind. Let's see...the Clinton economy was fantastic (altho I would agree if you wanted to claim that he shoudl've better regulated the burgeoning internet industry to prevent the bubble that eventually burst). Bush then decreased taxes and we're left with this mess. Obama wants to raise the highest tax brackets back to where they were during the Clinton years, when things were fantastic. Sounds to me like you're fabricating causal relationship and corelativity out of nothing...just disproven ideology that makes you think you understand how the world works and that is quickly becoming even worse, you thinking that your ideology tells reality how to function.
This are the same people at the GOP elections "Where's Joe" can never find him. He's not a plumber, journalist, writer, and yet he's the mascot Priceless! Tea or no Tea, you got to pay your taxes. ENOUGH!
Give our president a chance to prove himself.
Terry - you said it perfectly!
Yes i think the president have gone above and beyond to do the best he can for america especially for the economy. Im beginning to feel like its a racist thing which is being covered up by using its what the president is doing. and the right wing media is heading it. THEY WILL NOT RECRUIT ME . I Hope their plan fails. I just pray for these people they may not know what they are up against.
To Troubled:
You're mind is troubled, Democrat's have jobs and we work for a living, my husband works two part-time and one full time job. You are a racist stereotypical Repulse-lican who have been brain washed by the right wing conservative terrorist radio Mogul ( Rash Limpball). You and other Repuls-licans hate America b/c we are changing for the better. You don't like change b/c it would mean you having to pay your fair share of taxes which you have been getting away with not paying for 8 + years. Well it's over and you and the others who have weak minds can protest, throw tea bag's in the river ( which they should be arrested for polluting ) but until your party comesup with a viable PLAN and contribute to the solution's instead of the problem's you will NOT be heard.
Whining and complaining without answer's only make's your party look like trouble maker's. You and your party are irrelevant b/c you and your party are the problem with this country. You hate everything and everyone who is not like you and that is not the future of this country. WE NEED TO CHANGE THE OLD WAY IT NO LONGER WORK'S. Poor and middle class working people generate the economy not the rich.
EAT THE RICH!!!! When will the reps learn no one wants them and there greed or scare tactics!!!
"Terry", you hit the nail on the head. We knowingly or unknowingly use this countries services every day and most times don't know it or care to think about it. I have lived and worked in 16 different countries and I for one have "NO PROBLEM PAYING MY TAXES"! It's a plaesure driving down paved roads and crossing sound bridges. I appriciate when I buy food in the market it's not going to make me sick! When I was in harms way it was a huge comfort knowing the US military was there to keep me safe! Who do you thank would pay for these things if we don't- Santa Clause?
I also don't believe in shoving my tax burden on some poor middle class joe trying to keep his house and family alive with a 32 hour a week job either. "I PAY MY OWN WAY, IT'S NOT SOME OTHER GUYS DUTY TO PAY FOR ME"!
The most American thing we can do is focus on fixing our problems instead of grandstanding on them just to get elected.
Of all the folks at the "tea parties," I can count the people of color (yellow, red, brown, and black) on one hand!
The GOP claims "Americans" are tired of "blah-blah-blah" ... Well, since the people demonstrating are 99% white, is that to suggest that all of the rest of the US population of NOT American?
By the way, this is a rhetorical question that is designed to expose typical GOP sickening tactics.
@ Obama mama says,
"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."
--–
Let's take a QUICK peek at past violent protests to see WHO is really unstable:
LA Riots
Anarchists protesting Global Economic Issues
Anarchists destroying crops/labs doing genetic research
PETA
Code Pink
Anti-War protestors 60's & 70s
Yep... all liberals.
Know what I wish?
Just for 1 item on this ticker... JUST 1... the only people who were allowed to post actually paid income taxes – even a dime.
Granted, that would go against free speech rules, but I would bet the farm that the number of anti-Bush, anti-Business, and for that matter, anti-American posts would be near zero.
The tea party is just silly. Our taxes are low, and the planned increase in 2011 is still historically very modest. One of the best periods for economic growth in the US history was during the (Republican) Eisenhower Presidency in the 1950s. The economy grew much faster then than under Reagan, Clinton, or Bush. Yet, the top marginal tax rate under Eisenhower was 91%! Check the facts. Taxes have declined dramatically since then, but the economic growth rate has been lower than it was in the 1950s. I would not advocate a return to that rate, but the notion that high taxes are un-American or a drag on the economy is nonsense – proven by experience.
Don't throw tea, throw the Rich! Where were you all when GW spent us into oblivion? Now your complaining that we are spending money on our own country? That is RICH!
@steve
What is wrong with using a teleprompter.Does it mean the president is less intelligent than W. Dubya who couldn't even pronounce "nuclear" nor complete a single sentence without a grammatical error. Other presidents have used note cards now Obama is using a technology the equivalent of a TV screen. Big deal. At least he can form an intelligient unlike most republican politicians and as i recall he has had several interviews without becoming confused or becoming a blinking sensation ala Palin. What about several live press conferences with random questions from reporters and citizens.I betcha Dubya nor Palin and the other Repugs would find that hard to deal with since they only spew spin and no sense.
Now CNN will you make history and post my comments??
All of these people are just absolutely stupid.
The GOP is a one trick pony. Enough with the gimmicks already. Try coming up with solutions for a change.
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
Abraham Lincoln
Where are these protests taking place? Public parks? Roads and sidewalks? Court house steps? All of these things were payed for with tax dollars, perhaps even because they were a piece of "pork" in a piece of legislation. So, ok fine...protest paying your taxes, get angry about every dollar the government spends, but don't do it on space available to you thanks to tax dollars and government spending.
Once again, the Republicans have no new ideas. Americans have been protesting taxes for 235 years or so!