WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Hundreds protest bailouts, spending at "Sweet Tea Party"

Hundreds protest bailouts, spending at "Sweet Tea Party"

By Tom Roussey - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Folks angry at the way things are going found a way to vent their frustration Saturday, as hundreds descended on Marshall Park in uptown Charlotte for the "Carolina Sweet Tea Party."

Folks who came joined those who'd held rallies in other cities to send a message to Washington:  Stop the bailouts, stop the big spending, stop the increased debt, and remember -- you work for us.

"Our politicians don't seem to listen to the people anymore," said protestor Phil Stanley.  "I don't understand why they keep throwing this money at places that aren't doing us any good."

A lot of signs protested President Obama, with messages inferring he's everything from a socialist to a communist.

But many who came are mad not just at the president, but at politicians of all stripes.

"I think it's both sides, it's both parties," said Richard Strube.

But one Republican congresswoman who attended seemed to have some support.  Sue Myrick tells WBTV she's frustrated at what's going on in Congress.

"The frustration levels are very high right now, there's no question about it," the 9th district representative said.  "Because things are just being steamrolled through."

Many folks feel this goes far beyond policy differences; they feel what's made this country great is slipping away.

"I can't believe what's going on in this country," said a frustrated Ladonna Singer.

"I believe in this country," veteran Ron Ihnot said.  "I don't believe in what this government is trying to do."

"I'm tired of seeing our country turn more socialist everyday," Greg Hill added.  "I'm tired of seeing the country that I grew up in and believed in fade away."

Saturday's protest came one day after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke came to Charlotte to defend what the government has done on the economy.  Bernanke told a group of banking executives and others that the government's reaction has been necessary.

"Our programs have been aimed at improving financial and credit conditions broadly, with an eye toward restoring overall economic growth," Bernanke told the supportive crowd.

But folks at the sweet tea party weren't buying it.

The party didn't get much advance publicity, but still hundreds turned out.  Organizers hope a much bigger crowd will turn out for a "Tax Day Tea Party" scheduled for April 15th.

It's scheduled to take place from 2-4 p.m. on the lawn of the old city hall building, which is at 600 East Trade Street.

The tax day tea party will be one of over a dozen such protests scheduled throughout the state and potentially hundreds nationwide.