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| A million march to US Capitol to protest against 'Obama the socialist' | ||
| 2009-09-15 | ||
As many as one million people flooded into Washington for a massive rally organised by conservatives claiming that President Obama is driving America towards socialism.
The focus of much of the anger was the president's so-called 'Obamacare' plan to overhaul the U.S. health system. Demonstrators waved U.S. flags and held signs reading 'Go Green Recycle Congress' and 'I'm Not Your ATM'.' The protest on Saturday came as Mr Obama took his campaign for health reforms on the road, making his argument to a rally of 15,000 supporters in Minneapolis. Saying he was determined to push through a bill making health insurance more affordable, Mr Obama said: 'I intend to be president for a while and once this bill passes, I own it. 'I will not waste time with those who think that it's just good politics to kill healthcare.' But in Washington, protester Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam veteran, said: 'It's going to cost too much money we don't have.' Another marcher shouted: 'You want socialism? Go to Russia!' Terri Hall, 45, of Florida, said she felt compelled to become political for the first time this year because she was upset by government spending. 'Our government has lost sight of the powers they were granted,' she said. She added that the deficit spending was out of control, and said she thought it was putting the country at risk. Anna Hayes, 58, a nurse from Fairfax County, stood on the Mall in 1981 for Reagan's inauguration. 'The same people were celebrating freedom,' she said. 'The president was fighting for the people then. I remember those years very well and fondly.' Saying she was worried about 'Obamacare,'Hayes explained: 'This is the first rally I've been to that demonstrates against something, the first in my life. I just couldn't stay home anymore.' Andrew Moylan, of the National Taxpayers Union, received a roar of approval after he told protesters: 'Hell hath no fury like a taxpayer ignored.' Republican lawmakers also supported the rally. 'Republicans, Democrats and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order,' Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said. 'I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough.' FreedomWorks Foundation, a conservative organization led by former House of Representatives Majority Leader Dick Armey, organized several groups from across the country for what they billed as a 'March on Washington.' Organisers said they had built on momentum from the April 'tea party' demonstrations held nationwide to protest at Mr Obama's taxation policies, along with growing resentment over his economic stimulus packages and bank bailouts. | ||
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 The size of the crowd - by far the biggest protest since the president took office in January - shocked the White House. Obama and his crew are so out of touch that they would have been shocked if even one person showed up, I'm sure. So my question to the Dinosaur Media is: If there were more like half a million at the rally, do you think it would be an indication that the idea of government healthcare should be reconsidered? If not, then how many would it take to pull your head out of your a$$? The people know what they want and what they need, and this is not it. Give up. Who's the boss here? The people or their elected government? Last time I checked, we still don't have an office called "Emperor". |
| Posted by: gorb 2009-09-15 23:58 |
| #4 THE MSM claims 70,000 people. Now I have a very good methodolgy for BS detection. I call it: the Stadium methodology. Compare the traffic jams and stress on public transportation, and how much time it takes before the area is cleared after a big football match (the Stadium where the Red Skins play has a capacity of 93,000 people) and the demonstration. If tehy were much bigger during the demobnstration then you know that the MSM are lying. |
| Posted by: JFM 2009-09-15 15:01 |
| #3 So he went to Mpls to address 15,000 when he could have walked out the front door and addressed a million. Of course, not the million he would have preselected. |
| Posted by: KBK 2009-09-15 12:31 |
| #2 From an administration which promised hope to the people, to a people who must GIVE to the government. Tried to pull a couple fast ones. Federal Gov. is lucky those bills didn't pass. People giving up their 'Football Saturday' to bust ass traveling in a mass of people - they should be concerned. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2009-09-15 11:31 |
| #1 NPR and Juan Williams have called it latent racism just this morning. I call it a negative job review. |
| Posted by: whitecollar redneck 2009-09-15 11:07 |