Over 200 attend local 'TEA party'

Taxpayers hold signs that make their feelings known during a "TEA Party" rally at Memorial Hall Tuesday afternoon. The rally in Fort Scott, which attracted over 200 people, was one of over 2,000 such protests across the nation. (Tribune photo/Rayma Silvers) [Click to enlarge]

"Our city is just a part of the national movement," Gayle Sackett said to the crowd of people that assembled in front of Fort Scott Memorial Hall on Wednesday afternoon. "On this day, more than 2,030 cities nationwide are having a rally. We are but a small part with just as important of a message -- 'Stop runaway spending and taxation without representation.'"

At the TEA Party on Wednesday, Sackett, who is the event's co-organizer, told the group the local event was organized to give them an opportunity to let their voices be heard. In addition, the meeting was a good time for residents to network among like-minded individuals, who think they have been "Taxed Enough Already," Sackett said.

Among the group of people assembled on the steps of Memorial Hall, was Sen. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott. Marshall said his attendance at the TEA Party was inspired by his desire to hear what people would like to see happen in government.

"I'm really here to listen to what the people have to say," Marshall said. "There are all kinds of interests (represented) here. Basically, I am here to listen and to see how well it is attended."

Another event attendee, Barbara Culbertson, Iola, said although she does not live in Fort Scott, she wanted to be a part of one of the rallies being conducted across the nation. Since she was working in Fort Scott, Culbertson said she decided to attend the local TEA Party. According to Culbertson, not only did the TEA Party give residents the opportunity to voice their opinions on taxation and wasteful government spending, but hopefully it also helped educate those who do not realize some of the actions the federal government has been taking.

"I think it will wake up a lot of people that don't pay attention to what's going on in the news," Culbertson said. "Maybe it will get more people to not just stand on the sidelines."

According to CNNMoney.com, the 2009 U.S. budget deficit is projected to reach $1.2 trillion. Fort Scott TEA Party co-organizer Jim Sackett explained to event attendees how much money the $1.2 trillion deficit equals.

"One trillion dollars would reach 68 thousand miles -- if it was just stacked on top of each other -- 68 thousand miles in the air," Sackett said. "If you started spending one million dollars a day from the time Jesus was born, you'd only have three fourths of a trillion dollars spent in 2,000 years ... and we're talking about a 1.2 trillion deficit."

Also at the event, Joe Ludlum, a representative of U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., told attendees their opinions were being heard in Washington.

"Congress Moran greatly respects and appreciates the efforts of the TEA Party movement," Ludlum said. "Collectively your voices are sending a clear powerful message to Washington D.C. and beyond. Congressman Moran sees the TEA Party movement has started a very important debate about the growth of government, the exorbitant amount of wasteful spending, and the need for serious comprehensive tax reform."

Ludlum added the methods used by congress to solve the current economic conditions are not adequate.

"Congress is attempting to solve the economic problems of today with a flawed strategy that involves expanding government and mortgaging our children and grandchildren with debt," Ludlum said. "This flawed strategy endangers our free-market system, a system that has provided the most dynamic economy in the history of the world."

Fort Scott Community College teacher Jeff Locke, who is a proponent of the Fair Tax, spoke to those assembled at the TEA Party about the need to implement the Fair Tax in Kansas, balancing the budget and getting rid of lobbyist, Locke said.

"It's supposed to be 'of the people, by the people, for the people' not 'of the paid lobbyist, by the paid lobbyist, for the paid lobbyist.'"

According to Locke Missouri has a Fair Tax resolution that it will be voting on in 2010. If Kansas doesn't develop a similar resolution, Kansas residents might begin moving to Missouri. Locke urged event participants to educate themselves about the Fair Tax.

"Man, when you edify yourself, you have the power and the knowledge to make change . . . balanced budget, the Fair Tax, keep the lobbyist out of the system," Locke said.

Local resident Jim Smith showed his support for the local TEA Party and encouraged event attendees to continue voicing their opinions. Smith said the more people voice their concerns about the issues they do not agree with, the more the government will take notice.

"This is a great thing," Smith said. "We have to keep doing it all the time."

Event attendees were not the only ones who showed support for the local TEA Party, as many vehicles that passed by during the rally honked their horns and cheered.

According to the Fox News Web site, www.foxnews.com, the TEA Party rallies are a part of a campaign to stop high taxation.

"The demonstrations are part of a larger grassroots movement against government spending called Taxed Enough Already, or TEA -- giving name to the Tax Day Tea Parties -- and come more than 235 years after the original Boston Tea Party revolt against taxes," the Fox News Web site said.