Spokane7
48°
February 26, 2010 in City
Festival preaches political action
Eyman starts petition to reinstate I-960
Tim Eyman speaks at the third Freedom Festival, a gathering of Tea Party-type groups Thursday at the Greyhound Park in Post Falls. Eyman is gathering signatures for his latest initiative.
(Full-size photo)
Linda Rhoads is fed up with the elected officials representing her state’s interests in the nation’s capitol.
The 67-year-old Spokane Valley woman wrote to Washington’s two Democratic senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, urging common-sense health reform to assist senior citizens who rely on Medicare and Social Security.
Rhoads is fighting cancer, and worries under current health reform her treatment won’t be covered.
“All I got back from them is a form letter saying ‘Thanks for writing,’ ” Rhoads said. “So I decided rather than just sitting around doing nothing I could join others and be heard.”
On Thursday night Rhoads joined more than 300 others in the tea party movement in making some noise. They gathered for the third Freedom Festival at the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.
In the spirit of making noise, one of the keynote speakers for Thursday’s event was Washington’s tax initiative king, Tim Eyman.
Eyman was soliciting signatures for his latest tax adventure, I-1053, which would reinstate I-960, the initiative repealed last week by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire Wednesday. Eyman was asking people to sign his petition using the same pen Gregoire used to sign the bill.
“I thought it was fitting,” he said.
Approved in 2007, I-960 required a two-thirds majority for the Legislature to raise taxes, among other requirements.. The recent action marks the third time government has overturned similar initiatives, Eyman said.
“This is apple pie among these people,” Eyman said. “It’s clear the voters really support this,” but the government ignores what they want.
The event was sponsored by Friends for Liberty, a group whose organizations include tea party affiliates, as well as representatives from Glenn Beck’s 9/12 Project, the John Birch Society, and Oath Keepers, a new player in a resurgent militia movement.
Tea party groups, however, resent being the connection between extremist anti-government groups.
“We are not extremists. We are normal people who are fed up,” said Kathleen Clayton, a member of the Sandpoint TEA Party Patriots.
The Sandpoint group recently garnered national attention after appearing in a front-page story in the New York Times.
“When the group started, people thought it would just die away,” Clayton said. “We didn’t. And we didn’t know how bonded we had become until that New York Times reporter started asking questions.”
On Thursday tea parties and other patriot groups from Spokane and North Idaho set up tables pushing a conservative, “constitutionally based” brand of politics, urging people to take a stand against a government that no longer speaks for the people, members said.
Those in attendance could sign up for classes on the U.S. Constitution and seminars for the citizen activists, including an all day “Power of One” training workshop next month with classes in the art of war and rules for radicals, how to use the Freedom of Information Act, and how to run a successful political campaign.
Presentations included a documentary on the story of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Bottom line is they just aren’t listening to us,” said Debra Goodwin, a member of the Spokane Patriots, billed as the action-driven tea party. “There are a bunch of us who want to get out there and make some noise.”
Past and present 
oldtownboy500 on February 26 at 8:02 a.m.
I was at the Freedom Festival last night. I would estimate a higher number more close to 500. The number of people seems to be rising. The “power of one,” which was part of the theme, where, when one person can see a certain problem, and join others who also see the same issues, and know that there is strength through unity. We strive for a common goal, and together, we can ulitmately effect change. I love the fact that everyone from different locations, different age groups, men and wome taking time of their busy schedules and are coming out. There is a bond here. At first I only saw the a few familiar faces, but thatis changing. Now, more and more you are seeing a lot of new faces. And they are bcoming the familiar ones…Its invigorating! The events times and locations are are on everyones Webs sites. and on the radio. It does seem to be downplayed by media. I see those reporters from tme to time, and I think they are warming up too. You would think that Freedom of the press, that they would want to be there. I invite you folks! Each group has a table and is present for these events to share time with questions and direction. Get on their mailing lists, find out what you can do to get invloved. But ultimately take away the knowledge that is at these events. Not every group is structured the same so I encourage you to find what best fits you…research, The point here is get involved! I come away with a sense of accomplishment and hope for the future, knowing that we are spreading the word and we are seeing a change now. One new group on the seen was a tea party of Spokane that said they are promise to be Action Driven! The tools you need to fight back are simple. Get up off the couch, and get involved. No cause is better served than to understand how this government works, and how we can preserve our constitution. Freedom and Liberty can not be allowed to be enfringed any longer. The sleeping giant sleeps no more. I urge all to take this task, and treat as if it is their own. America has allowed their freedoms to be taken right under their noses due to lack of Participation. For example , Different countries have very different voter turnouts. For example, in the United States 2008 presidential election turnout was 63%[2] and 68% among African Americans. In Australia, which has compulsory voting, and Malta, participation reaches 95%. These differences are caused by a mix of cultural and institutional factors. So I ask you are you one of the 37%? Our Almighty creator,has given us the tools and thru him, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, I can honestly say in my heart that if we ask and trust in Him and protect what has been given to us, this country can be one nation Under God again. God Bless America!
CalJones on February 26 at 8:43 a.m.
A good 500 or so people were there last night. It was lots of fun, I would dare the libs to come out and see for themselves what exactly is going on, i bet many of them would find a lot of commonality and probably learn a few things too!
Marksman on February 26 at 9:28 a.m.
What do you call 500 Tea Party people organizing to return the government to the people it exists to serve? A damn good start!
500 yesterday,5000 tomorrow, 5 million next week!
Scoutster on February 26 at 10:57 a.m.
So, what, exactly is the plan?
For example, let’s say we cut taxes for everyone in America. Does that not put that woman who has cancer and feels threatened that her coverage will disappear at greater risk of that happening, since Medicare is a government provided health program?
How can we cut taxes and keep giving the benefits folks are demanding (and the need is only going to increase)?
Although I don’t agree with the tone of the tea partiers, I am asking a genuine question and I am asking it respectfully. I am sincerely interested in hearing a solution that cuts taxes and expands benefits.
Thank you.
MrNatural on February 26 at 11:45 a.m.
My thoughts exactly Scoutster.
My wonder in all this is where is the theme besides just being a bunch of self-centered self-righteous condescending malcontents?
OK say I’m wrong and this is supposed to be sort of a community action event…what exactly are they trying to provide for the community? And how do they plan on doing this?…do they want to eliminate all taxes thus all services for safety health and infrastructure???…I just don’t understand?…on one hand they say Freedom isn’t Free and then they want freedom from responsibility???
I think Walk Kelly said it best “We have met the enemy and he is us”
megd71 on February 26 at 5:03 p.m.
The last two comments raise valid points, which need to be addressed so that people who would rather deride those of us who are working to get some semblance of fiscal sanity and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY back into America can understand. I’ll type slowly…. Are you even remotely aware of how many social programs we have spawned over the last 40 years? Not just thousands, but thousands which are duplicates. When is it ok to slow the tide of government intervention? Ever? At what point do YOU say that it is the government’s role to do THIS, but not THAT? Governments on every level spend money to accomplish a goal, which inevitably fails,so more money is needed to improve the results of something which was never in the government’s purview to undertake ANYWAY. You can’t legislate everything; people are individuals and will make choices. I don’t want to pay for everybody else’s choices, just mine.
I don’t believe it is “self-centered” or “self-righteous” to want less “community” and more individualism. The collective mindset ends in a very predictable way. We’ve seen it in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and a bunch of South American countries. This is America. We don’t want or need the government to be our nanny, thank you very much.
Scoutster on February 26 at 7:22 p.m.
So, let’s say we agree that we are overspent (I actually DO agree with that, as it happens. We shouldn’t spend money we don’t have. No objection.).
Now, the challenge becomes: how do we solve THAT problem of too much promise and not enough money?
I respectfully ask the question. I’m not goading or baiting. I’m asking.
My question remains: if tea partiers are not prepared to raise taxes to cover these enormous entitlements, please tell me exactly what they suggest SHOULD be cut and how much it would save. Are there enough savings from cutting the named expenses to solve the structural deficit problem?
AppleMaggot on February 27 at 7:43 a.m.
Scoutster,
Our governments at all levels have overspent. The Feds are broke. I would propose eliminating all Federal Agencies created since 1999, starting with Homeland Security. The agencies under the DHS umbrella such as Coast Guard & FEMA performed very well on their own before DHS was created. I would eliminate the Dept of Education. That responsibility should be left to the states, local school boards and especially parents. I would make significant cuts in the Dept of Defense. Military leadership is forced to accept weapon systems they don’t want. Force levels can be reduced by bringing our troops home from many overseas locations.
These are just a few examples of spending cuts that can help with the deficit problem. Our country is on the brink of drowning in a sea of red ink. Let’s make realistic cuts to the Federal budget. Let’s not raise taxes when the economy is in recession.
We need to bring common sense back to all levels of government. Our elected officials need to wake up. Otherwise, “The Power Of One” will become the power of millions, and the politicians just might find themselves out of a job.
misjustice on February 27 at 3:21 p.m.
The Tea Baggers are mad at the wrong people…kudos for them getting involved but the last time that I checked,” freedom” isn’t free.
Where were they when Dubya was giving tax cuts to the richest, funded by borrowing money from China? Or an illegal war that was kept off budget, funded by “special appropriations” and MORE borrowing from China?
They were silent!
Citizenship comes with responsibilites, not just “rights”…
Seems like the Tea Baggers are more about Me, Me, Me and less about US…
Just my observation.
misjustice on February 27 at 3:28 p.m.
Dear Oldtownboy:
You made me laugh…thanks.
You list “mandatory” voting to, I guess, make your point…just whom inforces the mandate you so glowing point to? Duh, the very government that you want “freedom” from…
Geez! LOL!
Scoutster on March 01 at 10:02 a.m.
AppleMaggot…
thank you for a civil and thoughtful response.
oldtownboy500 on March 02 at 10:15 p.m.
Ok so Apperantly, I was misquoted, or maybe I wasnt clear enough. I was thinking more on the lines of the fact that there is a large percentage of voters that didnt vote…nothing more. Remember in school…when we would start a secret at the front of the room. By the time it got back to the last person. they would write it on the board. Just as here, you have clearly taken my words and changed it to how you percieve what I meant. I wasnt clear enough, and you took it the way yuo wanted to hear it…That is communication. See here now I get to tell you again, and we clarify it. I wish our government could just stop spending what they dont have. and now that we are there…HAVE YOU LOOKED AT WHAT THEY PLAN TO BUY THIS YR??? Artwork for parks, or study’s to see anbout a cultural center???We are broke…that can wait wouldnt you think? But no we wll spend what we dont have, and then tax us all for more…that is our future my friend so feed your text to someone who cant think for themselves…there arte plenty out there. think…I never used any references to mandatory voting. It would be unconstitutional and I wouldn’t do it either.