GOSHEN -- There was no tea, no harbor and no unruly mob, but the crowd that converged on the Elkhart County Courthouse lawn Saturday morning said they were like the revolutionaries at the Boston Tea Party, protesting what they regard as excessive taxation and wasteful government spending.
An estimated 300 people turned out for the two-hour event billed as the Elkhart County Tea Party Tax Protest. Angry over the federal stimulus package, a massive spending bill designed to jump-start the stalled economy, the group listened to speeches, applauded, cheered and heeded the request of Joe Guerrero, one of the event's organizers.
"We're here to show a positive message," Guerrero, wearing a black tricorn hat, told the gathering. "We're not here to be rude and crude. We don't believe in that. Let's keep it fun."
The main speakers were state Reps. Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown, and Wes Culver, R-Goshen. Both criticized the federal government's spending plan but neither said anything about their Republican colleagues in the Indiana Senate incorporating nearly $2 billion in federal stimulus money into the Republican state budget proposal.
Of all the speakers, Walorski energized the crowd the most with the fiery address she gave from the microphone on the courthouse steps. She compared the group's outrage to a freight train that causes the ground to shake.
Change did not happen with the November presidential elections, Walorski said. Change is happening here. The rest of the nation will stand with the group in Goshen and send the message to Capitol Hill that "enough is enough."
Michael Rink, a farmer, had traveled all the way from Millersburg to the rally because he said he is tired of paying taxes. He stood apart from the crowd and carried a large American flag that came from Millersburg American Legion Post 848.
"I want my freedom back," he said. "I don't want the government telling me what to do and when to do it."
Comparing the stimulus plan and taxes to being bitten by a rattle snake, Culver said the damage has been done and the nation will be crippled "because of the stupidity."
He implored the crowd to vote for candidates who see political office as a way to serve the public and not a way to personal financial gain. Also, he cautioned against asking the government for more and more, which leads to increased government spending.
Cutting government spending was the primary message the tea party was trying to send, said Debbie Johnson, one of the event's organizers. For the Goshen tea party, Johnson dressed in an orange and white frock and posed as Betsy Ross.
Goshen resident Rebecca Schrock has never been involved in politics before, but she said the recent actions by the Obama administration made her mad enough to join the protest.
"I really hope that they really start paying attention to us and stop wasting our tax dollars," she said. "It almost seems with each step they take, we lose another constitutional right."
After the speeches, the crowd moved to the street corners and held their handmade signs for passing cars to see. Motorists honked their horns in support.
Guerrero, who in opening the rally repeatedly referred to the Boston Tea Party of 1774 (it was Dec. 16, 1773), watched the people disperse and said the event's organizers were "very pleased" with the turnout.
Organizers had heard rumors that counterprotests might be held, which is why Guerrero repeated his message to the crowd to be peaceful and respectful. To get the group's message across to others, especially those who do not agree, they should treat other people as friends, Guerrero said.
On the day federal and state income taxes are due, the Elkhart County Tea Party will hold two more protest rallies.
From 5 to 9 p.m. April 15, the group will be on the sidewalk in front of the Goshen post office, 415 W. Pike St. and the Elkhart port office, 601 S. Main St.
The public is invited to join.