http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2009/04/16/news/doc49e7b9c31a5fb920144189.txtFists were pounded, signs were held and opinions were expressed ranging from the current state of the economy to the funding of stimulus checks.
Members of the local Republican Party and others in the community gathered around the Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie on Wednesday for what they called a “tea party.”
“Nationwide today we are having a tea party and in Boston years ago it started something,” Jimmie Simmons said.
“We are just letting people know that we are not 100 percent satisfied with what is going on today,” he said. “One thing that we don’t like and is of concern is that they (the government) are printing fiat money and they are giving it out to people.”
A morning gathering drew about 60 people with a second event set for later in the evening. During the morning event, residents wore tea bags hanging from their clothing and brought different signs with them with such wording as “Stop spending,” “Government should remember it’s my money” and “Government is our employee not our master.”
Paul Perry expressed his thanks to everyone who came out in support of the event and encouraged members of the crowd to step up to the microphone to let their concerns be heard.
“I know when I look at government spending and my tax bill, more and more of the taxes that I pay are directly caused by the amount of the public indebtedness that we have,” Perry said.
“Most, if not all of this indebtedness that we have, is not really necessary,” he said. “We ought to run our government as many people have said like those of us who are very responsible run our homes.”
Marshal Evans advocated more involvement in the local areas of government and encouraged people to go to county and other local governmental meetings so they can be informed.
“The main point that I want people to remember is that it is real easy in these times to recognize the big money being spent by the national government,” he said. “But you need to recognize that the local government, state, county and city, they are doing the same thing,” he said.
“They are spending money that is far beyond what is needed and that is our fight and we need to start locally,” he said. “Whatever city you are from in this county you need to start going to these meetings and holding the elected officials feet to the fire to let them know that we do care.”
Perry said tea bags would be collected from each person present and delivered to the county judge’s office.
“The problem this that the government is turning us into a socialist country,” Wayne Ballard said. “They have nationalized the banks telling them who and who could not be the chairman, then insurance companies and now the automotive industry.
“Today this is about taking our government back because they are spending way too much,” he said. “It is about ‘We The People.’ ”