Symbolic tea boxes dumped in Sioux Falls rally (Reagan, Jefferson & Lincoln in South Dakota!)

INO ^ | 4/15/09 | WAYNE ORTMAN

[Libloather]

Symbolic tea boxes dumped in Sioux Falls rally
3 hours ago
By WAYNE ORTMAN
Associated Press Writer

(AP:SIOUX FALLS, S.D.) Spurred on by a crowd chanting "Dump that tea," two men in colonist garb threw boxes carrying labels like Tarp, Stimulus and Bailout into Covell Lake as part of a national tax day protest Wednesday.

Turnout for the noon-hour re-enactment and modernization of the Boston Tea Party in a city park was difficult to gauge. Police handling traffic in the area said it likely was lower than the 3,500-4,000 given by rally organizers.

But people stood 10-15 deep in a broad semicircle to offer cheers and boos as people portraying Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Paine and other historical figures criticized big government, excessive spending, taxation and loss of personal freedoms.

"I don't like the way they're using our money," said Norm Stahl on his reason for attending.

"Some are getting something for nothing. I worked a long time for what I have," said the retiree from Brandon. "And everyone should have that opportunity. But handouts shouldn't be for everyone. It should not be going to those who don't need it."

The portrayers stood on top of a farm hay wagon, with a replica of the Statue of Liberty nearby and a scaled-down replica of a 1700s sailboat anchored just off shore in the lake.

There were American flags in the crowd and homemade signs reading "Taxed Enough Already," "I'm Not Paying For Your Mistakes" and "Just Say No To Socialism."

[Libloather]

Not THAT sounds like a partay!

[Libloather]

Now THAT sounds like a partay!

[Cheetahcat]

Time to buy stock in the tea companies.