The Taxman Cometh...Followed by Tea Partiers

Each April 15th, there is one thing on the minds of many Americans: "I have to get my taxes in". This year, similar to last year on a smaller scale; protests are occurring throughout the United States. The protests are by non other than the Tea Party protesters, who among other things are tired of being overtaxed. How fitting it is then that they would stage protests to coincide with this day on the calendar. Many vocal members compare themselves to the early patriots that founded this country and rebelled up against Great Britain.

In the crowds, you could see signs that read "no taxation without deliberation" or "stop bankrupting America". People complained about being taxed too much and that the government was out of control with spending and it was handicap future generations. Not too surprisingly, conservative organizations and members of the Republican Party base have been promoting these protests up to today and during the day. Many in these groups reflect conservative values and they are uprising, good or bad, against the way the government is going. However, there are Democrats and Independents in these crowds voicing concerns and discontent with all the spending in the last year.

Worth noting is the fact that the grunt of the anger is targeted at President Obama. Granted much of the bailout and stimulus funds have been spent and put aside during his 15 months. But these protesters did not appear to after Obama was in office despite the fact the initial spending was started by President Bush pertaining to the first stimulus. I just find that point a little ironic. However, many people in this country have a tendency to not notice things initially and probably did not put too much into the spending early on as they did not know much better. However, the recent bills that might be unpopular are what has sparked continuous uproar. The fact that the economy is not at its best or close to it. The fact that our deficit is in the trillions. The fact that unemployment is the highest it has been in 30 years. These all have contributed to the Tea Party protest unrest.

Also, what is not out of the ordinary among many in the crowds is their disdain for big government. Part of the conservative handbook states: big government = bad. The fact that the majority of the individuals relate with the Republicans or conservatives; this view is bound to be a key part of the protesters' mission. Reigning in big government will lead to tax cuts. At least that is why the protesters want government to be smaller: more freedoms and less taxes.

I am all for protests and free speech because that is what our country was founded and established upon. However, every time I see rallies held by the Tea Party there are fringe individuals that create an atmosphere that I find ridiculous. Stay at home and yell at your television and live your life because you are probably not doing much to better society. Taxes suck, but they are part of life. April 15th is the day that we must present the government with how much we made that last year. Guess what? You are almost guaranteed to receive money back. There are initiatives that this president has enacted that will allow certain people to even get a little more back. Also, if you work more; you get more back. If you work more, you get taxed more. That is part of the system. It has been around for 80 years. It is not perfect, but it has been working pretty good.

Regardless of the situation a year from now; we will most likely see these protesters out again voicing their concerns because there are people that flat out disagree with the President. Or worse: flat our dislike or hate him. The stimulus packages and bailouts were not ideal, but necessary. If they were not passed and things got worse I would guess these same people would still be complaining..if not more. The taxman has come again and the last two years he has brought with him backlash and protests across the country.

And one more thing: the federal government today is nothing like Great Britain in 1775.