The J-TAC

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Mallory Fontenot "Taxed Enough Already" members gather downtown holding signs that said "Don't Bankrupt My Generation" and "Obama: Commander & Thief."

"Tea'd off" taxpayers gathered in Stephenville and other cities around the nation last week to protest wasteful spending and excessive government growth that they believe has already occurred during the Obama Presidency.

Like the nation's forefathers who dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation, these modern day protestors believe history has repeated itself.

T.E.A parties, standing for "Taxed Enough Already", were hosted all across America and Stephenville was one of many small towns that joined in on the party. Many residence protested what they perceived as excessive and irresponsible spending, in the town square to have their voices heard.

Outside the Erath County Courthouse, in downtown Stephenville, protestors held up signs with messages reading "Obama: Commander & Thief," "Don't Bankrupt My Generation" and "You can't Blame Bush Anymore," hoping someone on Capitol Hill was listening to their message.

"They better be listening" said Republican protester, Peggy Tullos. "Because we are tired. The working man is tired. Why work if you're not going to prosper?"

Others, like Libertarian Colleen McCool, believed people on the Till would have no choice but to listen to their messages.
"They may not act like they are listening but they are," McCool said.

Jack Gardner, who described himself as a conservative, said he was protesting irresponsible spending and cabinet appointments in Washington.

"DC is the District of Corruption," Gardner said. "They should not have selected those who did not pay their taxes." An apparent reference to Obama's decision to select Timothy Geitner for Treasury Secretary. Geitner did not pay all of his own taxes but was nevertheless confirmed by both parties in the Senate.

Alongside conservatives like Gardner were independents, an important voting demographic during the presidential election.

Independent Philip Frank said he believed the changes by the new administration are being implemented the wrong way.
"I believe in the Constitution" Frank said, as he held his sign high, "If they want to change things they need to add an amendment."

Frank said he was also worried about his two year old daughter who would be inheriting the countless billions of dollars of debt that has accumulated from the bail outs in Washington.

Becky Farrar, who organized the protest, said the tax increases are "devastating."
"It will destroy our nation," she added." I don't want my grandchildren to pay for it."
Parents however, were not the only ones concerned about the future of our nation's youth. Many children held up signs with pictures of empty piggy banks and waved American flags in protest. One boy wore a sign that read, "Why should I pay for your bad decisions? - 14 years old and already $20,000 in debt."

Tarleton student Cody Bedwell, president of the College Republicans said he expected between 200 and 300 protestors, but "we've seen well over that. People have come from Hamilton to DeLeon to participate."

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