Thousands decry health-care plan, stimulus. State senator says ‘I want my country back’ to cheering crowd
By Linda Golz
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009
CUYAHOGA FALLS:
About 7,000 people crowded into Falls River Square Wednesday night for the first Akron Tea Party.
Organizers said it was the largest Ohio Tea Party so far.
Many in the crowd wore patriotic hats and shirts, waved American and ”Don’t Tread On Me” flags and carried homemade signs protesting policies in Washington, D.C., and the direction the country is headed in general.
”I was not born in a socialist country, and I will not die in a socialist country,” Republican state Sen. Tim Grendell of Geauga County said. ”And neither will my children.”
The crowd roared its approval.
He said it is ”all American” to get involved in government and let politicians know what policy changes voters would like to see.
”It’s called the First Amendment,” Grendell said.
Instead, he charged, the government is trying to keep the people ignorant and apathetic.
Grendell also urged the crowd to support strong states’ rights and to protect their freedoms.
”I want my country back,” he said.
Other speakers included Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart; American Policy Roundtable Vice President Rob Walgate; Republican candidate for Ohio’s 27th Senate District Frank LaRose; and businessmen Greg Knox of Dayton and Jason Wise of Stark County.
Robart said that former President George W. Bush’s bailout ”has been a total failure” and that President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill
”has been worse.”
He promised the crowd that ”cap-and-trade will be the largest tax increase in our history.” Robart said it should be renamed ”the China-India stimulus bill” and accused it of being ”based solely on a myth called global warming.”
”We’re not drinking the Kool-Aid no more,” attendee Barry Bugh of Akron said.
Cristina Shreve of Strongsville came to the Tea Party because, she said, she moved to the United States from Brazil with her parents and siblings as a child in 1965 ”to get away from socialized health care and everything.”
”I just don’t want government in everything we do. I don’t like the illegal immigrants. They should have to do what we did [to enter the country legally]. It took a long time,” Shreve said. ”I get so ticked off at these politicians that think they’re so special.”
Democrat joins ranks
Eileen Crilley, a Democrat from North Canton, said she came because her friend Phil Green of Minerva had urged her.
”I am here to see what it’s all about,” she said.
She said Green persuaded her to really check out President Obama’s health-care plan.
”Some people just hear the bits and parts they want to hear,” Crilley said. ”If you really dig deep, you’ll see what they’re really saying.”
Crilley said she was being swayed by her Republican friend and becoming more conservative.
”I’m just not happy with the way the government has been doing things,” said Aaron Kopp of Ravenna. He said he was not happy about taxes, the health-care plan and Obama’s policies in general, a feeling expressed by many.
Signs could be seen all around the huge gathering, including ”Pucker up D.C. Kiss Our Grass Roots,” ”The Opposite of Progress is Congress” and ”There’s nothing unpatriotic about caring for your grandma.”
Naomi Storob of Akron and friend John Welfley of Munroe Falls said government officials pay no attention to the people, and that Congress won’t have to be on the same health insurance as other U.S. citizens.
”I shudder to think what’s happening to our country,” Storob said.
Phil Bennett of Canton came wearing a costume hat like the crown on the Statue of Liberty.
”I just want to get my voice heard. I don’t agree with what’s going on right now,” he said.
CUYAHOGA FALLS:
About 7,000 people crowded into Falls River Square Wednesday night for the first Akron Tea Party.
Organizers said it was the largest Ohio Tea Party so far.
Many in the crowd wore patriotic hats and shirts, waved American and ”Don’t Tread On Me” flags and carried homemade signs protesting policies in Washington, D.C., and the direction the country is headed in general.
”I was not born in a socialist country, and I will not die in a socialist country,” Republican state Sen. Tim Grendell of Geauga County said. ”And neither will my children.”
The crowd roared its approval.
He said it is ”all American” to get involved in government and let politicians know what policy changes voters would like to see.
”It’s called the First Amendment,” Grendell said.
Instead, he charged, the government is trying to keep the people ignorant and apathetic.
Grendell also urged the crowd to support strong states’ rights and to protect their freedoms.
”I want my country back,” he said.
Other speakers included Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart; American Policy Roundtable Vice President Rob Walgate; Republican candidate for Ohio’s 27th Senate District Frank LaRose; and businessmen Greg Knox of Dayton and Jason Wise of Stark County.
Robart said that former President George W. Bush’s bailout ”has been a total failure” and that President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill
”has been worse.”
He promised the crowd that ”cap-and-trade will be the largest tax increase in our history.” Robart said it should be renamed ”the China-India stimulus bill” and accused it of being ”based solely on a myth called global warming.”
”We’re not drinking the Kool-Aid no more,” attendee Barry Bugh of Akron said.
Cristina Shreve of Strongsville came to the Tea Party because, she said, she moved to the United States from Brazil with her parents and siblings as a child in 1965 ”to get away from socialized health care and everything.”
”I just don’t want government in everything we do. I don’t like the illegal immigrants. They should have to do what we did [to enter the country legally]. It took a long time,” Shreve said. ”I get so ticked off at these politicians that think they’re so special.”
Democrat joins ranks
Eileen Crilley, a Democrat from North Canton, said she came because her friend Phil Green of Minerva had urged her.
”I am here to see what it’s all about,” she said.
She said Green persuaded her to really check out President Obama’s health-care plan.
”Some people just hear the bits and parts they want to hear,” Crilley said. ”If you really dig deep, you’ll see what they’re really saying.”
Crilley said she was being swayed by her Republican friend and becoming more conservative.
”I’m just not happy with the way the government has been doing things,” said Aaron Kopp of Ravenna. He said he was not happy about taxes, the health-care plan and Obama’s policies in general, a feeling expressed by many.
Signs could be seen all around the huge gathering, including ”Pucker up D.C. Kiss Our Grass Roots,” ”The Opposite of Progress is Congress” and ”There’s nothing unpatriotic about caring for your grandma.”
Naomi Storob of Akron and friend John Welfley of Munroe Falls said government officials pay no attention to the people, and that Congress won’t have to be on the same health insurance as other U.S. citizens.
”I shudder to think what’s happening to our country,” Storob said.
Phil Bennett of Canton came wearing a costume hat like the crown on the Statue of Liberty.
”I just want to get my voice heard. I don’t agree with what’s going on right now,” he said.
Tags: tea-party
