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
What I want to know is where were all these protestors when Bush went through a surplus and created the largest deficit in American history?
This is a group of disgruntled Republicans who got huge tax breaks with the Bush Administration. They yearn for the days of yesteryear!
Have President Obama and Congress taken the right steps to help the ailing economy?
I believe so and the economy seems to be reacting although we've got a long way to go.
Have Republicans been smart to oppose his fiscal policies?
No, because they have offered no sound ideas of their own. They're playing politics instead of working with Dems to solve our country's problems. Most view them negatively.
Does the tax code need an overhaul?
Absolutely and long overdue!!!
I am a mother, grandmother, and school teacher and is very upset at both parties for the tax burden that we are leaving to our future generations. I have to live on a balance budget and will not have my children paying for any mistakes that I made..... Why can't congress balance the budget...... both parties are to blame.....they have quit listening to the everyday tax paying people...... most of them don't even know the tax code and fail to pay their taxes....especially the director of IRS.... WE NEED HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD TO BOTH PARTIES......
by the way repubs, I got a tax DEDUCTION on my check already, so why you treying to sell the peole they will be taxed more, when in fact is only you rich fat cats to be taxed more ! turn in all the medicare cards all your family holds, dont accept any more medical help for :yourselves" washington gives you, bet you wont do that, thats the kind of party rest of us should have, take away your priviledges same way your trying to take OURS...
It's going to be hilarious to see what happens as more and more baby boomers retire. Should we fix healthcare? Should we educate the next generation? Should we take care of social security and medicare? Should we invest in our infrastructure and green energy? No, that would be spending too much. Just ignore these problems and they'll go away. Let the market take care of us. Oh, and invade North Korea while we're at it. I am guessing that the aging Republicans will then wish they had let all those illegal immigrants stay and have lots of babies who would be educated and grow up to be taxpayers. Maybe not. Have a nice day!
These are activists who miss those huge tax breaks George Bush gave them. Those days are long gone you glutons!
Where can I "virtually teabag" a Republican?
The republicans are grasping at straws again....they are determined to try and undermine the current administration...if they were so concerned w/the way the government was running things...then they should ahve impeached Bush~..Obama is doing the best he can~
Little do they know they are protesting Bush and the Rep., tax policy ?
They have everyday Americans out there protesting taxes for the most
Wealthy. They are being used by the Rep., party. And the party don’t give a da$$ about them. Rep., are fools and they are making a
Fool out of the protester..... Lets be real about this what is the real
reason why they are out there............................Just can't accept change.
This is 2008 taxes were paying right??!?!! Obama was elected in January 09.....right!!! Really people it is too soon to judge....
The economy was on it's way to a recession in 2006, unfortunately no one paid attention thinking we would bounce back. Well ladies and gentleman this is the result of neglect.... This administration is doing their best to confront an impossible situation that will not be resolved overnight.
Some facts about today, since 90% of you are lying or misunderstanding....
1) For those that don't understand, $12.8 trillion has been spent since the start of our crisis.
2) These tea parties are a peaceful protest for those that used to be called Democrats and Republicans to come together and voice their frustration with unreasonable big government spending and abuse of power from both parties. We are coming together to stop this infighting of liberal vs conservative.
3) The President made one of his biggest blunders today by not only calling this a tax protest, but angering all of those against him by stating he created the biggest tax cut in history.
4) I am upset that Fox News has jumped on this.
5) I am upset that CNN and MSNBC and many liberal blogs take this as an attack on this administration.
6) I am upset the government thinks states rights is a non issue, when 35 states are currently voting or passed bills that uphold the 10th amendment.
7) I am upset at many here who simply don't get, and never will get it.
It is so funny that the Republican party is struggling to find something to rally the troops. Can't wait to see what's next after this falls flat.
Who pay the most taxes?
Those who work.
Those who work are mostly Independents and Republicans.
Most of the obammy supporters are on the dole.
That's the truth!
It's kinda sad to see middle class people out protesting for the rich knowing that the rich would never do the same for them. Besides making fools of themselves, I want to know what they think they're going to accomplish by doing this? Obama is still going to be the president tomorrow.
It is so entertaining to watch liberals and conservatives changes sides on the issue of demonstrations. For the prior 8 years we saw innumerable protests by Code Pink, so-called Million Man March, protests nearly every week by liberals, dressed up and carrying signs. The response by conservatives was similar to what many liberals are posting here today.
Now, today conservatives protest, and liberals nearly call it treasonous. I am not protesting today– I have to work to pay taxes to support the stimulus for those who elect not to work or who took crazy chances with home loans, etc.., but I support the right of all Americans to express their grievances. To suggest that citizens should not be allowed to protest is, itself, bordering on treasonous.
Where is journalistic Integrity these days?
Obviously MOST people mposting here do not get what these events are really about. They are people, not Republicans, Democrats, etc, they are people concerned about a rising deficit that eventually is going to have to be paid for. Those on here arguing about the recent tax credit miss the big picture. In order to eliminate the deficit that has been going on far longer than Obama or Bush, Clinto, Bush, Reagan, Carter, and further, the facts are taxes will have to be raised and programs will have to be cut. These events are about the big picture. Eventually, the government is going to say No, we cannot give you any more services because we are completely bankrupt!
My best friend and all my family are devoted Democrats and everyone of them are attending a TEA party. They too are looking down the road and they too are tired of throwing money after bad money that was thrown after bad money.
As formyself, I am passing on attending one. I'd rather read the post of people who are so convicted in their narrow-minded reight here right now beliefs one way or the other. I need a good laugh. Thanks for it posters!
I have never understood why anyone would not want a flat tax, collected like sales taxes, instead of the convoluted system in place today. Everyone pays the same amount of tax as everyone else. No loopholes, no favoratism, no deferments, we all pay the same based on what we spend. The Federal government would probably see more tax revenue with this tax structure because nothing would be up to interpretation by some politician, lawyer, or CPA. May-be that's why there seems to be so much resistance to the idea!
Well, the Greedy Old Party is using their right to protest. I guess they did not look in the mirror this morning and think back over 20 years of being in the pockets of the banks and large corporations. Always remember that some of the corporations that received bailout money gave some of it back – to both GOP and Dem party senators and congressmen's campaign funds! Never forget that your banks sent billions overseas to Dubai, China etc. instead of assisting American taxpayers who are in trouble. All they did to help us is to rate-jack our credit card rates. The solution is to join your local credit union, and to vote the bums out of office. And enjoy the show today as they use their right to protest themselves. America is laughing at their hypocrisy.
Where were these people, tea party organizers/demonstrators, the past eight years when spending and government growth were skyrocketing? If they were this upset about government spending, these protests should have taken place a long time ago.
This is the biggest corporate scam I have ever seen. Limbaugh and the other so-called Conservatives are being backed by Big Business to prey on the helpless sheeple to do there bidding. Remember when hundreds of thousand protested the Iraq War? Now we are supposed to be inpressed by a couple of thousand 'Tea Baggers'? Give me a break!
The publicans are at it again. They protest a tax system for which they have representation and that contains direct and indirect benefits for them. Without taxes, we would have no ability to prosecute the wars they so vehemently demand. Without taxes, we wouldn't have the roads and highways they travel to show their contempt for the government. I have some advice for them. They should put some milk and sugar in their tea to drown out the bitterness.
Where was the TEA party last year when bush ran up record deficits and spent our tax dollars like a drunken national guard draft dodger – oh wait – he was one of them...
So all of a sudden excessive spending by the feds is Obama's fault – there should be some consistency in this “outrage” to be credible.
For all of you rush loving wingnuts I suggest you hold a succession party next and the majority of Americans will be happy to show you the door…
I read today of a story on CNN today of a husband and wife selling their long term insurance plan to pay off their mortgage..these are the type of people who should be helped..not the ones who 'deliberately' neglect their mortgages......part of the problem is not having real clear definitions to qualify.... these folks suffer by circumstance (her health, his layoff) and that should be considered yet they can't get help..go figure.