Protest builds on anti-tax, anti-spending sentiment
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Washington Rally
Demonstrators march on Washington to protest big government.Published: September 14, 2009
WASHINGTON - People marched in Washington by the tens of thousands on Saturday to protest government spending and a health-care overhaul many call too expensive.
Organizers said the event was built on growing concern over tax policies, economic stimulus spending and bank bailouts.
House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana was among members of Congress who showed up. He said Americans want health care reform but they don’t want a government takeover.
Richard Brigle, who traveled from Michigan to the rally, said health care needs to be reformed - but not in a way that, in his words, will “cost too much money that we don’t have.“
A Texas nurse said she drove 20 hours from her home for the event. She said she’s motivated to help get others involved in opposing President Barack Obama’s health care plan.
After arriving at the rally, Connie Castleton said, “There’s a lot more people mad about what’s going on than I thought.“
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Reader Reactions
JM..while I agree with your sentiment and concern that we all share, don’t forget “the voice of the American people” was heard loud and clear when they elected Obama and voted most of the previous administration out of office. It’s the career politicians in congress that need to wake up and stop being pawns of the insurance industry. It’s money that drives policy and those who protect that industry to keep their livelihoods are the ones who need to go. That is the message that needs to be sent. It’s too bad that in this ‘march’ well intentioned people were also lumped in with birthers, racists and other crackpots. The message gets lost in all the rhetoric and insanity that has been the modus operandi of the right unfortunately..
I hope our legislators in Washington realize that those people who showed up on September 12th represent the tip of the iceberg. For each person who attended there were at least 50-100 people who couldn’t be there.
I believe if our President and our legislators continue to disregard the voices of the American people,the rest of that iceberg is going to show up in Washington.
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