Friday, April 17, 2009

Freedom Friday 04.17.09


Welcome to Freedom Friday! If you're new here, you can go to this post to find out who inspired Freedom Friday.

Today's principle is:

I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

The timing of this one could not have been any better since we just "celebrated" Tax Day on April 15th. I don't know about you but I've never felt charitable on April 15th.

Conveniently, I've already discussed this one a little in this post so click on over there so I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Now I'd like to tell you about the April 15 Tax Day Tea Party I attended with my family. The main stream media would have you believe that these protests (which were held all over the country) were about high taxes. They would also have you believe that the people who attended these parties are Anti-Obama, Republican, crazy, racist, hate-mongering, right-wing extremists. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The parties were actually about out-of-control government spending. Of course, the enormous spending of today will inevitably result in higher taxes tomorrow. So I guess the parties were indirectly about taxes. And they weren't necessarily anti-Obama. George W. started this outrageous spending. The Republicans are as much to blame as the Democrats.

As for the kinds of people who attended the parties...imagine Mayberry meets Leave It To Beaver meets Dukes of Hazzard. There were grandparents, families with small children, teens, college students, good 'ol boys, small business owners, retirees, veterans...people from all walks of life. And they were so nice and friendly! I heard "Oh, I'm so sorry, is my sign in your way?" and "Oh dear, who do these sunglasses belong to?" and "Let's be sure to pick up our trash." In fact, my dad said, "Conservatives really don't know how to throw a protest, do they? Shouldn't we be burning something?!" There was fun music and for cryin' out loud, an ice cream truck! I was so proud to be able to show my kids that THIS is how change happens in America. We don't have coup d'etats or violent revolutions. Praise God, we have the right to assembly and peaceful protest!

The Tea Parties were about connecting with like-minded individuals and having our voice heard. And a good time was had by all!

Here are a few pics:








This Ain't New York had a great post about her experience. Very eloquent!

Big Mama had a hilarious post about her husband's adventure at the San Antonio Tea Party.

4 comments:

Amber said...

You just used the word "coup d'etats" in your blog post.

If it wasn't already set in stone...it is now. You are officially my SMART FRIEND.

And I heart my smart friend...oh so much.

Mich said...

I have to agree with Amber, I am so glad that you understand all this mess and then can explain it all to me.

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I'm so proud of you. You're MY smart friend, too.

And I agree that the mainstream media represented these tea parties BADLY.

Ashley said...

I just saw your comment on Kelly's Korner about the Lemon-ice box pie...would you mind emailing me that recipe? It's sounds wonderful and so summery! :)