Redlands Tea Party Takes Aim at Federal Spending during Tax Day Rally

While some residents were still working on their taxes, members of the Redlands Tea Party Patriots were out Friday getting the message out on how they wanted to see the government spend those tax dollars.

The Redlands group is one of several tea party groups across the country to hold a Tax Day Rally. More than 50 members stood at all corners of Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street. Most waved signs with various messages including “GOP, Grow A Spine,” and “Stop Fiscal Slavery.” Some wore tri-corner hats.

“The three most important things that the tea party stands for are fiscal responsibility, constitutional liberty and free markets,” said Tea Party member Marilyn Snyder. “Particularly today, on tax day, what we’re trying to do is remind everyone that the money that the government has comes from us. It’s our money and we want them to take care of it responsibly.”

It’s been some time since the government has been careful with their spending, some members said.

“Personally, I started getting frustrated with the stimulus, which (George) Bush put in,” said Annie Rumary, one of the event organizers. “It’s not an Obama thing. It’s not just a Democrat thing. It’s people who are supposed to be stewards of this country and they are not doing that. It’s about making sure there is a true country for our children and our grandchildren to be able to have. Right now, that’s not going to happen.

“If they don’t, start saying OK, I understand. We know it will be tough but we need to make some cuts,” said said. “We get to do it on our own terms if we do it now.  If we wait, we’re going to be bankrupt. Then everything will have to go.”

Tea Party member Tom Fritts echoed many of her sentiments.

“I’d hope that we’d change directions and not spend as much and be more concerned about less government,” Fritts said. “We need to be more fiscally responsible and look to free enterprise.”

He also believes some of the unrestrained spending started with George W. Bush. “He did a number of good things. But he also did a number of bad things and one of them was spending money like a drunken sailor,” Fritts said. “That’s when I started to get concerned and it certainly has not gotten any better.”

Among the Tea Party fray were members of the Citizens’ Action for Peace.

“We’re here every Friday protesting war and holding vigil for peace,” said Katy Ahearn Citizens’ Action for Peace. “We’ve been overrun by the Tea Party today.

The Redlands Tea Party Patriots and Citizens’ Action for Peace draw members from surrounding cities, including Loma Linda.