Pantagraph.com
BLOOMINGTON - A hardy crowd listened to a mix of patriotism and frustration over government actions for almost two hours in the rain at the Bloomington Tea
Party Freedom Rally on Saturday.
Despite pouring rain, hundreds of people filled the Main Street block at courthouse square from Washington to Jefferson streets. They presented a sea of colorful ponchos, American flags and umbrellas at an event designed to get politicians to listen to the people.
"This is the second tea party (in Bloomington). The ideas are spreading quickly. We can't stop here," said Donny Herrin of Bloomington, one of the speakers on the McLean County Museum of History's steps. A similar peaceful protest against what organizers call excessive government control in the lives of ordinary citizens was held at the same location April 15.
Organizers estimated that about 500 people attended at least part of the protest Saturday, close to the numbers in April, but short of what was expected if the weather had been nicer.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Americans was praised. The United States has only 5 percent of the world's population but produces most of the wealth, said Diane Benjamin, Tea Party organizer. "Socialism doesn't work. It never has," she said
"Don't be afraid to fail and teach your children not to be afraid to fail," she said. The greatest inventions have come from people who failed over and over again. The government won't let businesses fail; schools don't let children fail. "When did failure become a bad word," she asked rhetorically.
The crowd cheered Nick Adams, who was elected deputy mayor of an Australian municipality at age 19. Now 24, the "passionate Australian" as he calls himself, is on an extended tour of the United States praising this country for being the best nation in the world, and encouraging it to keep the leading role.
Part of the reason America is so great is people willing to stand in the inclement weather to have their voices heard. "This is why you belong to the best and finest country in the world," he said.
"What is good for America is good for the world," he said.
The speakers encouraged people to register to vote, to monitor how elected officials vote and to get them out of office when they do things contrary to the will of the people.
Some audience members drove 90 minutes to attend the rally. Dan Braden of Peoria didn't mind driving a little to be involved in current events. "I'm not against any (political) party. They are just spending too much and being irresponsible with our money," he said.
"We're frustrated - that's why all the people are here," he said.
Diana Cook of Normal held a stop sign she had bought for her work as a "pilot car driver" for oversized loads. She said she's all about public safety. Her sign held the message for politicians to slow government spending and stop increasing taxes.
Without an umbrella, Leo Marquardt, a Bloomington high school student, stood near the front of the crowd with rain running down his face; he was so engaged with what the speakers were saying he didn't seem bothered by the constant rain.
"I'm sick of the government we have. This is not how we thrive," he said.
Marilyn Hodgson of Bloomington agreed, "I think people are frustrated about what the government has become," she said. Hodgson was among those at a table helping people sign a petition calling for term limits for politicians, handing out Constitution guides and signing up voters.
"I'm very impressed," Zelly Bryan Smith said about the size of the crowd in the miserable weather.
She and husband Don Shields were among the founders of the Bloomington Area 912 Group of "citizens committed to renewing the culture of independence, liberty and personal responsibility embraced by the Constitution through free markets, low taxes and limited accountable government."
Other messages on signs and clothing included: "I'll keep my guns, money and freedom. You can keep the change"; "You can't trade liberty for security - you end up with neither"; "It's our country, give it back"; and "Stop spending my hard-earned money."
Tea Party organizer Jason Riddell said, "This has been brewing for a long time."
