Although demonstrators probably won’t dump tea into the Great Salt Lake, several tea party events are planned across the valley for Wednesday8212;tax day8212;to protest wasteful government spending and taxation. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the tea party at the Federal Building8212;even Rep. Jason Chaffetz plans to make an appearance.
Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for the nation’s debt, pork-barrel spending and bailouts. This isn’t an issue of partisanship, it’s an issue of what is right for America, for both the short- and long-term. Many citizens who elect local officials to represent them feel powerless as their representatives pursue personal agendas instead of the will of the people. The Salt Lake Tea Party will unite like-minded individuals who want to effect real change and restore our free-market system.
“My brother and I have spent 14 years of (our lives) at a socialist factory in Poland and I don’t want my children growing up in a socialist society,” said Utah Tea Party organizer David Kirkham. “Bribery and corruption are pervasive throughout the entire culture. Socialism disintegrates the moral values of society and that’s the direction we’re currently moving.”
The original 1773 Boston Tea Party helped spark the American Revolution. Colonists were upset about being taxed by the British government without representation so they dumped tea into the Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party has become an iconic event referenced today in political protests.
There are principles, such as accountability and freedom, that our founding fathers agreed on. If we don’t have economic freedom because our government digs us into debt, our political freedom will very shortly follow. Money makes the world go round, but personal choice and accountability will effect change too.
Earlier this year, President Barack Obama outlined a $3.5 trillion spending plan featuring ambitious goals to expand health care coverage for the uninsured, provide more money for college loans and address global warming. Recent bailouts for the banking and auto industries have everyone asking for a handout as the United States sinks further into debt.
A Mesa, Ariz. radio station staged a spending protest recently by asking listeners to bring signs telling Obama what they wanted from the savior-based economy. Everything from “I need a beachfront condo! Mr. President,” to “Henrietta got a house, all I want’s a swimming pool,” to “Give me Pelosi’s plane.” Today’s uncertain economy leaves everyone with questions and no guarantees. We used to work hard for our stuff and put money into our 401ks for retirement. But 401ks have lost much of their value so people are turning to the government for handouts.
The bottom line is that wasteful spending will send us deeper into the red. If the government would just let free enterprise work, then by Adam Smith’s invisible hand, the economy will sort itself out. There will be winners and losers, but for now, America needs to go through this belt-tightening to purge through bad credit and bad decisions. The outcome will be a stronger America, one that will produce long-lasting sustainable economic value.
Liz Carlston