The 10 Most Interesting People I Met at the Tea Party Rally D.C. 3/20/2010

I had the pleasure of attending the impromptu Healthcare Bill Protest Rally last Saturday with my father, We drove up from NC on Friday night, made our voices heard on Saturday, drove back Saturday night, and were in church Sunday morning to teach Sunday School class. Although the Bill did not go our way, it was all in all a profitable weekend.

I met many people at the Rally. My wife claims I can talk to anyone (or anything). I suppose she’s right. These are my list of top 10:

1. A young black woman. No, I am not being un-PC. She was standing right behind my dad and me, clutching a book to her chest, watching the Rally with a twisted, angry expression. I watched her out of the corner of my eye. I had watched African –Americans circulating through the crowds baiting them- looking for a fight in front of a camera. I was a little concerned. Finally I asked with a polite smile, “So, what’s your take on all of this?” She unloaded on me…with a CONSERVATIVE rant! It turns out she was Trinidad-American, had earned her American citizenship, and she and her husband owned a Healthcare business. The bill was going to kill her business, and she was angry and confused with our lwmakers. She spoke on the health of her elderly patients, the freedoms she had to fought to gain and was now losing again, the audacity of this Congress, and the stupidity of the American people for giving up their freedoms so easily. She had ridden the train from Connecticut by herself to voice her opinion. She stayed with us for about and hour, talked, protested, and took one of my signs to shake at the Capitol.
2. A very old white woman. She came walking up to me looking a good bit confused. I was a little concerned for her. She looked lost. She started talking to me. Do I just have that kind of face, or something?? Anyway, she says, “I live just on the other side of Washington. My nursing home tried to keep me from coming today, but I told them that I was a free citizen of this country, and I could go exercise my rights if I wanted to. So I left, hopped on a train, and here I am!” I REALLY became concerned for her (amused, but concerned). She went on to tell me that her friends in the home either voted for the Democrats or could care less about politics. “Are they CRAZY?!”, she exclaimed. I laughed again. Before it was over, her daughter wandered up. The home had called. Luckily, they had been able to find “Mom”.
3. One of the members of the House of Representatives who spoke at the Rally. I happened to be standing at a spot where the speakers exited to go back to Capitol Hill. He came back through, was shaking hands with the crowd, and was thanking US for coming out. He continually, sincerely kept encouraging us and call us the heroes. When the crowd asked who he was and where to send donations to his campaign, he refused to give his name. He simply kept answering, “Donate to anyone who votes NO!” A cheer went up from the crowd at a politician’s selflessness. I still do not know who he was.
4. A man and his young son on the train ride in to the rally. While leaning over and playing with his son on the floor, the man passed out cold. He did a header into the wall and gashed his finger open. This story is more about the men and women who came to their rescues. Strangers attended the man, gave him what he needed, and took care of his son (who was very frightened for daddy). These strangers were Ralliers from around the nation. Their signs gave them away. I am glad American still care for one another in moments of need.
5. and 6. A Vietnam Vet and a WWII Vet standing in the crowd who stopped me as I was walking through and started taking to me. They liked my t-shirt. They were shaking their heads. Their general consensus was, “We fought Communism in Vietnam and Socialism against Hitler only to have these idiots force it on us here in our own country? Who do these dictators think they are?” I sincerely thanked them for their service, and walked off feeling embarrassed. I was standing among men who had given greatness. All I had to really add was a lousy t-shirt.

7. A guy in a tight yellow t-shirt ( it said- ATL-Anti Tyranny League), muscles like cannonballs, mirror shades, chomping on a cigar and wearing a hard hat. I couldn’t help it, the cigar got me, and I had to talk to him. I asked him about the cigar. He was standing front of the House Offices with the yelling Tea partiers. His thick Jersey active accent assaulted me, “ I useta be a Demacrat- a card carrin’ liberal, union member, really!! But who do deez people think dey aar- DICTATAS?? I mean REALLY!! Deez guys just do what dey want and keep goin- I mean GEEZ!! Deez guys gotta be stopped!!” I told him, “I’m a card carrying Republican.” He said, “Well, I won’t hold dat against ya!” We both threw back our heads and roared laughing. I love this guy. I thought we were going to hug. We shook hands and promised to smoke our cigars together in freedom on the House steps.

8. A woman holding a sign which said, “I escaped from Castro, Cuba, and Socialized Healthcare just for THIS??!!” I just HAD to talk to her. She was on fire, fascinating, and exactly right! If only America could have heard her.
9. Representative Michele Bachmann (Minnesota). I typically have little praise for politicians and even less for lawyers. She is both. Oh well. Having seen her on Fox several times, I can say I like her attitude towards D.C. and her stance towards freedom. So, I wanted to meet her. I did. She did the talking, smiling, signing, picture taking, hand shaking politician thing. Okay. As she was signing, she picked up a sign made by a young child. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she said, “Did you make this? Oh come here you beautiful baby!!” She picked up the child and started to hug it. The kid started to cry. It was funny and everyone laughed. Mrs. Bachmann reacted like a mother of 5 and a foster mother of 23 would. I felt it was a genuine moment, and I was impressed.
10. My father. I have always admired my father for many reasons. In his lifetime he has played baseball for Kansas City, headed the ATF in NC, worked with the Secret Service protecting Presidents of the U.S., been an Elder in the Church for years, has raised a family, traveled the globe, and so much more. I now have one more reason for admiration. My father is a patriot. On bad knees and really low blood pressure, my dad went with me, stood beside me, and protested with me. I hope that I can live to be half the man he is.

So WHY are the Democrats REALLY pushing the current Healthcare Bill so hard? I mean, the Democrats are down to telling their members, “You WILL vote for this bill, and you WILL lose your job in November.” Say what?? The majority of Americans oppose this bill. We all watched in shocked amazement as a Republican took Teddy Kennedy’s seat, due in large part to this Bill. The grass root Tea Party movement has sprouted and grown exponentially with this Bill. America has screamed and is still screaming, “NO!!” at this Bill. Yet, the Democrats continue to smile sweetly, and say, “We are going to pass this Bill.” Thus, the question begs to be asked...”WHY??”

Answer #1- They just love the American people so much. There is an old saying that bears repeating- “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.” Having said that, since when in history have rich rulers ever truly put the poor first? Let’s face it. Our Washington leaders (Dems and Repubs) are our rich, elite rulers. The rich have always taken advantage of the poor throughout history. That is history. Who in our country are the rich? Those serving in Washington, flying around the world, with dozens of “aides/servants”? Or are we the people the rich ones? To quote CCR “I’m not the fortunate son.”. Are we foolish enough to think that the wealthy are suddenly going to stop lining their pockets with our money and begin taking care of us? Are those in our nation’s Capitol REALLY that upstanding and righteous?

Answer #2 – They are doing this to get money for themselves. Possibly, but unrealistic. This thing is too public for an open money grab. Besides, there are far too many other, secret, easy, slimy ways for them to fill their vaults- and they have.

Answer #3- They want to go down in history as doing such a great thing for America (like FDR). But, that’s the problem. History only remembers FDR. Who was Speaker of the House or Senate Majority leader during FDR’s reign? Who cares? If this Bill goes through, Obama’s name will be remembered only. So, what’s in it for Pelosi? Reed? Certainly not historical fame.

We are running out of possible answers. The Democrats are going to lose votes and lose seats. We know they don’t really care about us. They may or may not get money from this, and the fame is a non-issue. The only D.C. motive left is POWER. How much power can we be talking about here? With the Democratic leadership willingly giving up seats in November, can the power they stand to gain be such a small amount? I mean, how many years have we watched and been nauseated as both sides of the aisle desperately slobbered for every scrap of every vote for every seat? NO- the power they are going for here must be monumental!! And it is.

It has become almost a joke to say that in June we stop working for the government, and we begin working for ourselves. We work the first half of the year to pay taxes to the government. The punch line is that our average total taxation rate is close to 50%. We currently only get to spend only fifty cents of each dollar we earn. Now, the politicians have promised us that they can take over 1/6 of the economy, cover every person’s health in the country, and not raise our taxes. I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned not to believe a politicians promises(Read my lips, Transparency, I never had sexual...well you know). Once again, I look to history. I look to those countries that have what our politicians are promising. I see tax rates that unbearably high- in every case. I see their citizens who are literal slaves to their governments’ “free services”. So, do I believe history (and my eyes), or do I believe political promises? Hmmm....

Could this be what the Democrats are aiming for in the long run? A tax rate that is so high that there is no more money left for Democrats and Republicans left to even argue about? What do I mean? Let’s say that our total tax rate goes from 50% up to 75% over time (due to say the Baby-boomers overwhelming the healthcare system). That means that 75% of all of our money is already spoken for- argument over. It’s kind of like trying to argue over money going to Social Security. No real arguments. It is untouchable. If the total tax rate goes up to 75%, it in addition leaves the American people with .25 per dollar to spend on ourselves. Will there really be any more need to vote where the money goes to in Washington? Will there even be a need for a two party system of Democrats (big government) vs. Republicans (small government). Or will that argument already be over as well? Will we the people even really need to vote? If so, what will we vote for? Big government or total government control?

I think it is interesting that Obama has used the words, “Bolshevik Revolution” , “Total Government Takeover” and “Socialist Agenda” in describing what this Healthcare Bill is NOT about. Presently, we have a two party system as designed by our founders. The Democrats represent the Federal (big)government. The Republicans represent the State’s (small)government. This delicate balance between the two is what maintains our freedom. This Healthcare Bill tips that balance of power firmly and lastingly towards the Federal government. WHY are the Democrats willing to sacrifice so much right now to get this Bill passed? It ends the need for the Republican Party. Consequently, it ends the need for our choice as well.

WE really ARE THE people!!

I dedicate this blog to the ideal and furtherance of FREEDOM!! I received my BA in Poli Sci in 1988. I now teach Middle School Social Studies. As I watch this great nation slide more and more away from individual freedoms and towards greater empowerment of it's governments, I become increasingly alarmed for my children's futures. I want my children to know and live as free men and women- not as slaves to a tyrrant government. As a student of history and political science, I know how slaves are made. We the people of the United States are standing by and watching as future generations are being prepared for slavery rather than freedom. We watch daily as our politicians play their games, spend our money by the trillions, lie to our faces, treat us like we are idiots, and then mock us to our faces. Our children WILL pay for this. Face it, what are they getting for the $14 TRILLION debt they will have to pay off? They are getting an education ranked 18th among the 36 nations examined-according to The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in USA Today. At the hands of our politicians, our children are being trained to be less educated, and are simultaneously being doomed to lives of poverty due to an insurmountable national debt. Wait a minute...aren't slaves kept uneducated and poor? President Obama was right, it is time for a change. It is time to change all of these politicians who are nothing more than game players and leeches. It is time for the leaders with just plain, genuine, common sense to step forward and really make a change. It is time for we the people to remember that this is OUR country and our freedom. WE really ARE THE people!!