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Even though we’re more than a month past the April 15 Tea Party Day that saw events in every state in the Nation, there are signs that the sentiment of frustration with government expressed lives on. First of all, we know that smaller Tea Party actions, unaffiliated with any organized national-level groups, have popped up since then. As reported here on the ‘Grok, a group of folks in Woonsocket, RI, facing a supplemental "fifth quarter" tax levy, fought back, filling their city council chamber and spoke out against the action. In the crowd were signs declaring,"Woonsocket Tea Party." When the dust settled, the protesters won the day, with the representatives doing something not seen for a generation or more: they stood up to the educational-industrial complex of their city and said "No."
Over this past weekend, downtown Buffalo was the scene of the latest action. The Buffalo News has the story:
A new political force calling itself Tea New York was unveiled in downtown Buffalo Saturday afternoon, and leaders promised to make things uncomfortable for incumbent officeholders.
The new group had its first public gathering as a small but enthusiastic crowd — perhaps 200 people — attended a rally in wind swept Niagara Square.
The group’s founder, Russell Thompson, and his chief financial backer, businessman Carl P. Paladino, said they will try to get incumbents voted out of office and encourage political newcomers to run for office.
And the battle cry? It’s the same that has been repeated often enough that it could be considered the true theme of Tea Party movement:
“Get involved,” said Thompson, 53, a Grand Island contractor who has teamed up with Paladino in a fight to cut Thruway tolls in Western New York.
“Go to the public appearances of your state legislators. Call them out on these issues they have voted on. . . . Embarrass them in public.”
Yep. For too long, our so-called "leaders" have gone about their "business" with little to no scrutiny or criticism on the part of the people they represent.
Carl Campbell, who runs an auto repair shop in Buffalo and lives in Lancaster, held up a sign saying, “Take Back Your Government — Vote Long-Term Incumbents Out.”
“I’m tired of corrupt, entrenched politicians,” he said. “But people need to get involved, get out to the polls. There are too many people who don’t like the way things are going, who just sit home and complain.”
The Tea Party movement appears to be the vehicle that finally changes that. Check out the New York group’s website (still under construction) here.
Party on!
H/T: Instapundit