Conservatives and libertarians of a certain stripe will take to the streets tomorrow -- urged and prodded by Fox News and right-wing pundits -- to protest the Obama administration's tax policies. What are they rebelling against? What've you got?! The protest appears pulled together by a grabbag of issues, ranging from overtaxation, to the national debt, and the decision "to appoint a defender of child pornography to the Number 2 position in the Justice Department" (a pretty wild distortion). And yes, as cable news and late-night fans know, the protest has launched a nationwide celebration of teabagging jokes.
We can't wait to see the signs, the street theater, the giant, scary papier mache Timothy Geithners and Larry Summers stalking across the nation's malls and town squares. Help Salon cover the protests! We'll promote the best contributions on Open Salon -- your photos, video, interviews, accounts -- on the Open and Salon covers. Help us capture a national snapshot of what will surely be a unique day of national fun and fury.
To find the Tax Day protest nearest you, go here. And be sure to tag your post: tea party.
Emily Holleman
Mignon Khargie
Scott Rosenberg
Thomas Rogers
Rebecca Traister
Dan-onymous
Salon.com
Comments
Deal?
I wonder if my daughter can help, she lives in Boston....... Boston, England that is ....
The Huffington Post is also recruiting "citizen reporters". If anybody comes across these types, let other people in the area know not to talk to them and avoid them. Take pictures of them too.
They have every right to be there of course and I hope they'd be treated better than we would at a ACORN rally (and hey, they may see the light!), but that doesn't mean we can't take precautions to avoid getting our words twisted.
ACORN and other opposition groups are attending the Tea Parties and misrepresenting their allegiance. They are getting petitions signed, misrepresenting them as against Obama and taxes. They explain something different than that written on the petition. More fraud, and lies from Obama Acorn people. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! Be Aware!
We are fully aware of the tactics they will be trying to use. So as not to compromise what we will be doing, everyone will be notified at the event on how we will address this.
Here is the one I did for Orlando...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE1UuOvGGIQ
http://newt.org/tabid/102/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4091/A-Single-Nuke-Could-Destroy-America.aspx
Notice how it fails to mention that NK built most of thier long range rockets over the past 8 years.
All I need now is some pot and err, a slave...
http://open.salon.com/blog/kevin_lee/2009/04/14/behind_the_kudzu_curtain
1. How much money did your state get from the stimulus package? Did your Congressman/woman vote for the package? Who are your Congressional representatives?
2. If you don't like Obama's taxation policies, what do you think he should do instead? How should he get the economy going?
3. If you don't like how Obama has handled the banking crisis, should he nationalize the banks instead? (That'll throw 'em. Most of them think he has nationalized banking, which of course he hasn't.)
4. What, specifically, are you here for? What are you protesting? (If they say they don't like how the government is spending our tax money, which is what some TV commentators are saying, then ask if they think everybody who paid taxes in the last 8 years supported the war in Iraq. Should people get to withhold the portion of their taxes that goes to causes they don't like? How would they feel if people chose not to support national defense?)
5. If people bring up NAFTA, ACORN, TARP, or any banking, financial, globalization, or general economic terms, ask them to define and explain them. This is good journalism, to find out how the protesters define their terms. And it may also highlight some serious ignorance.
Truthfully, there are many legitimate disagreements about economic policy, and my experience is that libertarians tend to know what they are talking about--more so than the average Republican. These are just suggestions. It might be entertaining to see another one of these.
St. Lou, Misery
6:15p-8:30p
...w/gusto & camera.
And attention Sacramento correspondents: Michelle Malkin and Neil Cavuto will be broadcasting live from there!
How much is payroll tax? Income tax?
Alot of people in Ohio make about 40,000 and they think that no one makes alot more , and they think that wealthy people pay huge taxes , like maybe 80%.
1) How much do you make, and what percentage of Americans do you think you're better off than?
The correct answers ought to be:
$10K, 10%
$45K, 50%
$92K, 80%
$167K, 95%
$350K, 99%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_in_the_United_States
Most likely, most of the people you talk to will think they're much better off, percentage-wise, than they actually are.
2) Will Obama increase your taxes?
The correct answer: Who knows? He could propose any damned thing he wants. But his current plans will only raise taxes on people making $200K/year or more.
3) Define "fascism" in your own words.
4) Define "socialism" in your own words.
4) Is it possible for government spending to create jobs?
5) Who do you blame for the economic mess, and why?
Good stab at marginalization, but the fact is that you have no way of knowing what the crowds' motivation is.
(And yes, there is a teabagging pun in there.)
New blog-"if we are ever to develop the world we have envisioned." You have no idea how chilling those words are.
http://open.salon.com/blog/djohn/2009/04/13/are_you_an_extremist
markinjapn-Thanks for driving activity to my blog. I owe you one!
The just Listening.
It was interesting.
I was on my way To DC's VAMC hospital. It's a long rant tho.
There was a 16th Pork Book released this year about federal government.
Mess. Waste!
It's citizen's $!
I'll just listen.
My windshield wipers need fixing. It rained. Misty. Speakers didn't sound Dems/Repubs?
Or,
Conservative, Tyranny,
and labels confuse. huh.
It seemed pretty human.
We humans get screwed.
~
I even saw dead worms too.
I mean:`Rain drowned worm.
The worms were on a sidewalk.
~
I wanted to go hop in a lake?
The next time I get married?
I got to go hop in the bathtub.
~
I hope no wed though, O merry?
I off to Lost Vegans wed chapel?
I'll ask a Elvis Look-Alike to wed?
~
I plan to get drunk as thee skunks.
I hope my new partner buys wipers. huh?
I is confused. I will sip Haiku Green Tea?
I will drive alone in a HOV beltway lane?
I bum a pouch of Red Mule? Memories?
I spit old chew tobacco out the window?
Interesting day. Yes Indeed. Barrack O!
Nah, you don't owe me anything d.
The pleasure was ALL mine - anytime I can direct anyone to a blog where someone who purports to have been a marine recruiter for four years, but is apparently in need of being informed of the diminished enlistment requirements by a civilian, I am pleased to be of service to you and my country.
Next time you're at the local vfw, have an extra Schlitz and send the bill to me here in Japan, which incidentally is spelled with two "A's."
But, when one looks at the speakers at the events, the conservative groups driving people to attend, the Fox pimping, the cavalcade of Republican politicians falling over themselves to attend the events. how can any thinking person not conclude that these events are very partisan? At the event planned here in Madison, WI, the speakers include a rabid homophobic Christian nutjob and a member of the "God Squad", whatever that is. I expect all of the fringe right groups to be out in force. How would any of this make a Dem feel welcome? This event may have started out with a lofty goal of being non-partisan, but that's not how it's turning out.
BUT: If you blog from a Tea Party -- and we hope you do! -- please be sure to tag your post: tea party!