Anti-Spending Tea Parties Gear Up for July 4

The Gazette

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 3, 2009 at 8:34 AM CST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 8:34 AM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Corridor organizers of protests against government taxation and spending will host another round of tea parties on the Fourth of July.

There is likely to be more emphasis on spending — the $787 billion federal stimulus plan, the multibillion-dollar bailouts of General Motors Corp. and financial companies — than at the April 15 tea parties that attracted thousands of Iowans.

In Cedar Rapids, Tim Pugh is organizing a rally and family picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tree of Five Seasons at 105 First Ave. NE.

In addition to spending, he said, people are concerned with new taxes, such as a tax on cellphones, being considered at various levels of government.

Deborah Thornton of Iowa City is helping organize a rally in Coralville after the annual Fourth of July parade there, but plans had not been finalized Thursday. “President (Barack) Obama and the congressional Democrats are out of control,”

The tea parties will build on the Tax Day rallies that drew 600,000 people, the American Family Association said. Pugh said a network has grown out of the Corridor Tax Day tea parties. Participants are communicating about issues and slowly organizing to lobby decision-makers.

“In the long run, it will be good, but these sorts of things take time,” he said

For more information on the tea parties, visit www.crteaparty.org or www.axthetax.net.

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