WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsHundreds turn out to tea party rally

Hundreds turn out to tea party rally

by Teresa Mackin

WAUSAU (WAOW) --  Protestors across the country rallied against government spending and taxation in the form of modern-day tea parties.

The name alludes to the original Boston Tea Party more than 200 years ago.

Organizers in Wausau held their own rally Wednesday night.

Hundreds of protestors from across central Wisconsin filled the majority of the 400 block in downtown Wausau, protesting what they call lavish government spending since Barack Obama took office.

Meg Ellefson, the organizer of the rally, said, "We are no longer heard, and our elected officials are not listening to us."

These rally-goers are hoping officials will lend an ear, holding signs saying "I'll keep my money, you keep the change." Others say they're worried about the future.

Marge Behling of Eagle River said, "I have six grandchildren, and when I see the numbers they will be faced, to pay off these astronaumical debts, I'm appalled."

Among the rally supporters were a few people who opposed the entire rally.

Ned Grossnickle said he came to make HIS opinion heard. He said, "It's good to worry about saddling children with debt, but we're at record unemployment now since World War Two, and we've gotta do something. We can't just take a Herbert Hoover approach of capitalism and expect that to change the employment picture in our country."

Ellefson added her own solution, saying, "Rather than bailout these businesses, why not give the money back to the taxpayers."

Similar rallies took place in several communities across the state - including Madison.

Online Reporter: Teresa Mackin