'Tea Party' protest Wednesday
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
What do the years 1773 and 2009 have in common?
In both years, many Americans were fed up with taxes and planned protests to express that discontent.
The famous Boston Tea Party from 236 years ago is the inspiration for similar events planned for this Wednesday in cities and towns all across the country.
There is one major difference.
Because of environmental concerns and littering laws written since the Boston event, this week's rallies will not involve pouring actual tea into the waterways.
Georgetown is one of more than 460 cities holding a tea party. The events are being held Wednesday because it is April 15, also known as tax deadline day.
The spark for the protests was the passage of the $787 billion federal stimulus package.
Suzanne Fox, spokesperson for the local Tea Party which will take place at Francis Marion Park on Front Street starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday -- said the reason for the non-partisan protest is simple.
"This is for the silent majority to take action to restore our heritage, our freedoms and our liberties. Right now, with the bailouts and the increasing tax burden, we are basically creating generational debt," she said. "We are giving away our liberties and we are paying for it."
She said the Tea Party is "for anyone who is disgruntled, disgusted, upset and are tired of their tax money being wasted."
Vikky Ferris, an organizer, said the event will be a day for the "common, hard-working person," not politicians, to speak.
She said people will be allowed to speak about their feelings about basic freedoms.
"This is a day for politicians to listen, not speak," Fox added.
Ferris said after other similar events started popping up across the country, she started hearing from local residents.
"I have heard many people say how upset they are so much money is being spent and the way is being spent is not in a positive way and not in a way that will create jobs." Ferris said. "When this country was founded it was not for the power to be in the hands of the government, it was to be in the hands of the people."
Pat Ferris said he is very concerned about the financial decisions being made by the government.
"My basic worry is the wasteful spending. We are running up the national debt and running down the value of the dollar," he said. "If we keep that up, we will be paying $20 for a loaf of bread."
He also said he feels elected officials across the country will take heed to what they hear Wednesday.
"Politicians have to get reelected and if they make people mad that will not happen," he said.
Mrs. Ferris said along with the speakers, actors will reenact the Colonial Tea Party and water will be thrown over the side of the Harborwalk to symbolically represent the tea.
She is also encouraging parents to bring their children because of the history lesson they will be able to learn about the Boston Tea Party.
Fox said Georgetown is the type of place that needs to participate.
"It's only natural that a city with the history of Georgetown would want to take part in something like this," she said.
Tea Party, 1774 style
Back in 1774, local merchants in Georgetown held their own tea party.
Keith Wilson of Keep Georgetown Beautiful has been researching history of the city, the waterfront and Morgan Park.
He came across this excerpt from a book published about 1970, titled "... That We Should have a Port ..." The book was written by Ronald E. Bridwell.
Quoting from the book:
When a committee in South Carolina collected money to assist the people of Boston after the closing of their port as a result of the Tea Party, the planters of Winyah made substantial contributions. There were also strong feelings in Georgetown about the importation of tea. In fact, just about a year after the Boston version, the citizens of Georgetown had their own tea party. The Gazette told the story in its December 12, 1774, issue:
"The committee of observation at George Town, having discovered that a cask of tea was lately imported there, applied to the master of the vessel that brought it, to destroy it, which he immediately did, by staving the cask, and pouring the contents into the river." Although the Georgetown Tea Party did not have the dramatic impact on the course of history that the one in Boston had, it was, nonetheless, an expresssion of the same patriotic zeal that had motivated the New Englanders.
Vikky Ferris said she's excited to see proof that Georgetown residents have an almost 235-year history of opposing unjust taxes.
Petition : 10/15/2010
I have a interesting idea on an alternative to political parties. Political Parties are private groups that recruit candidates, holds primaries, and advertises to the public. I have petitioned for a public service (Georgetown County) to do this on a county level. This county service would advertise a bipartisan brochure to gas stations and grocery stores that would show every electable position that those people within our county can vote for. Who is in those seats, primary places and times, election places and times. It would also act as a bipartisan political service where the general public can run for office. Because running for office is cheap, we asked for a independent background check paid for by the candidate. Because there is so many people running for office, the only efficient way to find a candidate is to have that candidate put in writing where they stood on the issues, promises, ideas. The 2nd primary vote will be on a refereed debate. Then you have a candidate (under contract) that did not need to seek money from the political parties. The debates can be televised to offset the cost of the brochures. A self sufficient service where the individual can find an individual to vote for. You can contact me for further information- Robert 843-450-5089
: 4/16/2009
Has America moved so far from its Morals and Ethics that we are reduced to this? Our country goes into the red because of greed and fraud and how do the American people respond? By digging in and trying to tough it out and help each other? NO BY A HAIR BRAINED SPENDING SPREE that will further our countrys debt and leave our children the bill. And to make matters worse we have liberal TRAITORS that say we shouldnt of went to war and that it was the past presidents fault we are in this mess. NEWS FLASH G.W cant be blamed for everything. Sorry. The basic fact of the matter is we did have some horrible decisions from him. BOO HOO. I for one believe we will have worse from the current yahoo. What the current economic plan is right now is to pay for people to work on many useless programs with a credit card and send the bill to the taxpayers. Pay now or pay more later. Bottom line. That is what I protest. As for the military Democrats have cut their budget in the past and I for one believe that they will do it again. You can whine and twist my statements all you want. It is a bad budgetary program and I will protest it if I want to. Not a thing you can do about it but whine to your other liberal brainwashed buddies and come on here and complain. You have a right to set up tents in front of the statehouse and protest someone trying to do what is right. I have a right to protest numbskulls spending my and my grand kids dollars like it is found money. America.
: 4/15/2009
Illegal laborer is not a victimless Crime. It’s a large tax burden on tax paying citizens School, Justice and welfare systems. The Justice system won’t enforce the very laws Taxpayers pay them for. We need Jobs for Legal Citizens that pay taxes. Our justice system is Rouge and outside the law and allowing this unjust TAX and Labor burden to go on. If you are going to work them pay the fine and go to Jail thief. UES E-Verify
Ms : 4/14/2009
The tea parties are being held to protest more than just taxes. The includes the borrowing which will fall on the shoulders of our children and grand children The WW11 generation left a heritage of Traditional values, strong Foreign policy, courage, duty, Grace, strength, bravery and a freedom, just as our Founders left. This administration will leave the next generation debt and a weaker defense and economically poor. Higher taxes will discourage those who provide the jobs. One individual here said it even better than I "Tax them double." if they have succeeded and accomplished anything. The consensus among the greedy now is to rob those who have worked hard to succeed, and with the stolen loot, reward those who have not. This kind of thinking has bankrupted other nations and has discouraged employers and employees alike No one wants to risk their money into a business wherein profit will decrease with higher taxes. This has caused many factories to transfer overseas. Other times, they just pass it down to consumers in higher prices – then you and I suffer. To leave our children and grandchildren in this kind of debt and this kind of economical confusion is despicable.
: 4/14/2009
Where oh where were all the Protests as George W Spent Trillions of Dollars blowing up things so that we could rebuild them? Leaving us Trillions in debt. Why were we not protesting roads and schools being built with American Tax Dollars in Countries that dont even want us there? Why are we not protesting USA Dollars providing National Health Care for the Iraqie People when we have none? Its a Stupid thing to Protest a System that is going to put American Dollars in American Jobs! Everyone should have been out protesting infront of all of the Georgetown County Factories that moved to Latin America via the NAFTA Treaty. Or Protesting against a War that we can not pay for. Protesting a spending bill that is going to be spent in this Counrty..hmmm I have to worry about someone who is against money being spent at home... Nice 1960 style thought but so misguided. You should have been Protesting 4 years ago as we were building this debt we are now in. Today its time to spend some money at home not fight against it.
: 4/14/2009
Does Jamie work? Or is his job posting attacks and misinformation on the internet?
: 4/14/2009
That statement really shows how childish and naive about the situation you are. Facts are facts, people. President Obama squashed that rhetoric this weekend. Care to move on and work towards bettering the country?
: 4/14/2009
Way to go, cross two subjects and try to make your party look good. The truth of the matter is that Obama doesnt support our military and intends to cut their budget. Go back to "work" and leave the typing to adults.
: 4/13/2009
Maybe you should do some research of your own... And find out who authorized the go-ahead. It may surprise you. As for the ships being built overnight, you're right. This debt we have wasn't built by Obama only as well, so when you include the past screw ups of Bush, I'll include the past tax payments of our American citizens. Thank you.
Taxes : 4/13/2009
Jamie, get a life. It was not this bunch of crooks in the White House that these ships came from. These ships were not built over night. It takes a long time to build a ship and to train the men and women to run them. Do some research before opening that big mouth.
: 4/13/2009
"Wake up and smell the coffee" demonstrations should be held to combat the notion of "paying taxes." Yesterday, our tax money paid for three powerful naval ships, staffed with highly trained men and women supported by the world’s most sophisticated intelligence and communication apparatus to save the life of an American ship captain. I don’t recall anyone on TV saying they thought it cost too much.
: 4/13/2009
The Boston Tea Party was not a dispute about high taxes. The price of legally imported tea was actually reduced by the Tea Act of 1773. Protesters were instead concerned with other issues. The familiar "no taxation without representation" argument, along with the question of the extent of Parliament's authority in the colonies, were prominent. Merchants, some of them smugglers, played a significant role in the protests. Because the Tea Act made legally imported tea cheaper, it threatened to put smugglers of Dutch tea out of business. Another concern for merchants was that the Tea Act gave the East India Company a monopoly on the tea trade, and it was feared that this monopoly might be extended in the future to include other goods. When the East India Company sent shipments of tea to Philadelphia and New York the ships were not allowed to land. In Charleston the tea-laden ships were permitted to dock but their cargo was consigned to a warehouse where it remained for three years until it was sold by patriots in order to help finance the revolution.
: 4/13/2009
With all the bailouts I think Taxes have to be paid Duh!!! Who do you think will pay for it the tooth fairy? Sign #1 Every body that had money in the stock market should pay double Taxes. I don’t want to pay for there gambling losses. Sign# 2 All Chamber Members should pay triple Taxes for bring in Illegal Labor and passing the Tax burden off on the rest of us.