Angry taxpayers to protest spending

Donna Eyman has organized a local Tax and Spend Congress "tea party" in Shelbyville, one of thousands of similar events planned to take place around the country on Tax Day.

"Anyone who is tired of excessive taxation and overspending without representation is invited to attend," she said.

The event will be held at noon Wednesday on Spring Street next to Shelbyville City Hall and is reminiscent of the Boston Tea Party, where early Americans protested taxation without representation.

Eyman is expecting at least a couple dozen people, although she is hoping for more.

"We've had quite a bit of interest," she said. "This administration is turning socialist, and everyone needs to be active in knowing what is going on with it."

The event is billed as non-partisan, and Eyman says is for anyone who is tired of what the Obama administration has done and is continuing to do, including passing a $500 billion tax bill, spending trillions of borrowed dollars, giving earmarks to special interest groups, taking wealth and redistributing it to others, punishing those who practice financial behavior and reward those who do not and more, according to the Web site www.teapartyday.com.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is also urging people to participate.

Eyman also believes Obama was unfairly elected, largely due to what she calls the "liberal media."

"The media was in bed with Obama," she said. "If the conservatives held a meeting, they weren't there. They sent lawyers to Alaska to find out things about Sarah Palin. The conservatives in this country are just not represented by this administration."

She feels Congress is also to blame, as it is the most liberal one ever, she says.

"They are the most un-American Congress that has ever been in power," she said. "Republicans aren't being allowed to be seated in committees. The conservatives just don't have a voice."

Other areas will have speakers and other events, but this is not the case in Shelbyville.

"We are just going to hold our signs and that be the end of it," she said, "but we are hoping to make our voices heard and to let this administration know we are tired of it."

Wartrace held an early tea party Saturday. Robert Sugg organized Wartrace's event, which was held on the square.

"We are extremely worried about the future of our country," Sugg said in a press release, "both socially and economically. We're tired of hearing 'it's for the children' and then turn around and saddle them with a monstrous debt and a nation bent on experimenting with socialism."

"I've heard many comments that reflect Robert's position while working in my shop," said Pearl Chang, "and as a small business owner, I'm feeling particularly vulnerable."

Repeated attempts to reach area Democrats for comment were not successful by press time.

What you can do

The event is being held Wednesday at noon next to City Hall. Those attending should bring a sign and be ready to stand with the others protesting. Another "tea party" will be held at the South Jackson Civic Center, 404 S. Jackson in Tullahoma, on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.