Opposite sides' rallies dominate Presidents Day at State Capitol
Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - March 16, 2010
brought the crowd to a fever pitch at the Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s Push Back No Tax rally. The Presidents Day event to protest excessive state government spending and anticipated tax hikes coincided with another rally later in the day sponsored by the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition, a 100 member group comprised of labor, social service organizations and the education lobby.
The Push Back rally crowd, eventually estimated to be well over 4,000, arrived early and tried to stay late. They eventually had to make way for the second group. Many came because they were frustrated and wanted their voices heard.Freedom Foundation CEO Lynn Harsh (below right) served as the event MC. She asked how many in the crowd had driven more than 100 miles to attend. Dozens of hands shot up.
Featured-speaker Monson found irony in the fact that the pre-rally music included The Who’s tune “We Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Monson said that in the 72 hours preceding the rally, bills that would raise taxes $11 billion had been introduced into the Legislature. Rhetorically asking why they had been introduced, he answered saying it was because Gov. Gregoire and the Legislature grew spending 35 percent in the last five years. Now they want more, he said.
“They know it will be economically disastrous,” he said, “but they don’t care!”
Reminding the crowd that the governor had promised in 2008 not to raise taxes, he called her a liar. “She said that in tough economic times, no legislator proposes raising taxes.”Calling the governor a tool of unions, lobbyists and special interests who demand tax increases for their benefit, Monson said the governor takes her marching orders from them. “Special interests have bought off the governor and the Legislature,” he said.
The Freedom Foundation’s Harsh closed the event by urging the crowd to go into the legislative building and tell Legislators what they think. “You know your job,” she said, “let your voice be heard.”
As fast as the Push Back – No Taxes supporters could get off the Capitol Building steps, the pro-tax rally attendees took their place.
Eventually numbering some 5,500, they marched in representing groups such as the Washington
Federation of State Employees, various student activist organizations, the Freedom Socialist Party and others. Clark College student Corey Mitchell from Spokane said that he survived off financial aid and work-study grants. When asked if he worked at all, he said that he did. When asked what his job was, he said, “Student.”
Mitchell said state student-aid programs were an investment. “A little investment goes a long way,” he said.
“Giving me financial aid is an investment in your future,” said the international studies and communications major.When the formal program started, Leno Rose-Avila, the executive director of the Social Justice Fund Northwest, served as MC. He said that claims by the Push Back rally supporters that they were engaged in a revolution were specious. “They don’t know what a revolution likes like,” he said.
Rose-Avila said that they were there to urge Legislators to close tax loopholes and raise revenue. “We have to protect our revenue,” he said.
Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Seattle, said, “You bring hope.” She said, “Parks, trails and our quality of
life are the future for our children – they are why companies come to Washington state.”WFSE president, Carol Dotlich, said that her union stood for beaten down public service workers. “We are the safety net,” she said.
Closing the program, Rose-Avila said that the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition was delivering on change. He urged the crowd to lobby their legislators on behalf of “hope, revenue and change.”
The Washington State Patrol maintained a constant vigil over both rallies. They reported no problems with either aside from minor crowd-control issues with the pro-tax people including trampling the tulip beds that are between the Capitol Building and the Temple of Justice.Thoughts? Add Comment -
Sue Lani said on Feb 16 2010 at 4:37pm
Would have liked to be there, but unlike most public employees I had to work on Monday.
Democrats have lost sight of sound money management in state government. Not only are they pushing to raise taxes, they are pulling capital funds (long term debt) over to pay for operating expenses: http://tiny.cc/SCeHq
Ryan Urie said on Feb 16 2010 at 5:00pm
I second Sue, unlike the freeloading students and state workers I had to work on the holiday like most of the people that actually make this state run.
Heidi Munson said on Feb 16 2010 at 6:29pm
That's hilarious: "Beaten down public service workers." I needed that laugh today!
Janetm said on Feb 17 2010 at 11:29am
The arrogance and ignorance of the leeches on the working taxpayers revealed in the quotes by the pro-tax protesters is astounding as well as revolting. God willing these parasites will get schooled with a thorough dose of reality but SOON!! They have no idea the depth of the taxpayers rage towards them and their spoiled, insolent ways - they will soon learn.
Arlan Cook said on Feb 17 2010 at 1:35pm
Arlan Cook said on Feb 17 2010 at 1:48pm
I sincerely hope that our current elected officials get the message. My wife and I attended mondays gathering just to augment the suport for holding the line on taxes. Being part of the middle of the road silent majority, we are hereby giving notice that we will aggressively campaign against any candidate that supports the 960 suspension, and more taxes
Kevin Kelly said on Feb 18 2010 at 8:18am
Mark it well ... 2009 - 2010 will be a period in our history when the politically-blind have been openly invited to see, if they have eyes to see. The left-wing of the American political system have finally been revealed for who they are ... people who have sold freedom and liberty and financial stability for votes and power and jobs, for decade upon decade.
This is not an ideological argument taking place in our state and nation. It is the revelation that the thousands of federal, state and local “ponzi-schemes” have begun to unravel. Unfunded pensions and other entitlements, special interest slush-funds, false programs to channel cash and power to friends and family and the millions of participants who benefit ... from the top-level organizers who feed from the grift, daily for their living ... to the low-level flunkies and “ignorati” who are told to vote and show up at rallies (in order to keep jobs for which there is little accountability and benefits that cannot be paid for) are now being seen in the light.
Their financially irresponsible and generally criminal behaviors have been shown to be empty scams ... so they MUST use bully-power, flipping the will of the people for the promises they have made to their masters and constituents on the pay-out. This broadly-played legislative “tap-dance” is nothing more than the last minute panic of a failing criminal class ... the American politician. The average American who does not benefit from all of this ... is merely the tax-farm, from which more and more revenue must be taken, to pay for promises and benefits that are simply unaffordable.
Will we allow them to do permanent damage as their scheme grinds to halt ... or will we deny them their last days of theft? Busy working and worrying over what we have lost and how we will live for tomorrow, I fear that their plan simply has us too busy and scared to really force them to worry about further harm done.
Sandi Brendale said on Feb 18 2010 at 8:56am
Sandi Brendale said on Feb 18 2010 at 8:59am
Most of us attended on our time and our dime. Judging from the busses we saw hauling union members and the sea of government employees attending the pro-tax rally, I guess they attended on our time and dime as well.
As to the green shirt motto "we are your safety net", I'd like that net to stop dipping into my pocket to finance their rescue mission.