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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Thousands of DC Protesters Blast Obama Policies

Demonstration stretches for blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue

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(AP) – Tens of thousands of people marched to the US Capitol today, carrying signs with slogans such as "Obamacare makes me sick" as they protested the president's health care plan and what they say is out-of-control spending. The line of protesters spread across Pennsylvania Avenue for blocks, all the way to the Capitol. People were chanting "enough, enough" and "We the People." Others yelled "You lie, you lie!"

Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of "judgment day"—Election Day 2010. The conservative FreedomWorks Foundation is one of the main organizers, hoping to build off the tea party momentum. Lawmakers also supported the rally. Mike Pence, chair of the House Republican Conference, said Americans want health care reform but not a government takeover. "Republicans, Democrats, and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order," he said.

Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington Saturday.
Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington Saturday.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
With the Capitol in the background, people hold signs during a rally against the president's spending plans.
With the Capitol in the background, people hold signs during a rally against the president's spending plans.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Demonstrators rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington Saturday.
Demonstrators rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington Saturday.   (Jose Luis Magana)
Demonstrators rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington Saturday.
Demonstrators rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington Saturday.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Protesters hold signs during a rally against the president's health care plan and what they say is out-of-control spending in Washington.
Protesters hold signs during a rally against the president's health care plan and what they say is out-of-control spending in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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68 comments
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Even-Steven
Sep 12, 09 9:53 AM CDT
Dick Army, now you have to admit that's just plain funny, I don't care who you are! I see where they're coming from. Government has been out of control in spending since the last administration and congress. It doesn't appear to be slowing down. In fact, all the states are in a budget shortfall and governments are wanting to raise taxes to keep up with the new spending. That's like me demanding my boss give me a big enough raise to cover my spending desires next year. THAT"S INSANE! If I don't have the money, i don't buy. If I have money left over from what I budget, I save it! Why can't we hold the "smarter" elected officials to the same standard? Reply
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-12
IN RESPONSE:
Adapt-Overcome
Sep 12, 09 10:53 AM CDT
Probably because he's trying to fix the problems and the debt that the prior Administration started. You have to pay to fix your car when it breaks....they won't do it for free. The problems created WILL take money to fix before it can start paying the country back.
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+11
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 12, 09 12:26 PM CDT
Even, the over spending began when a set of twin wars was declared. You might remember the trillion and a half dollars the US Mint printed (because we didn't have it) and shipped large pallets of said money to Iraq? Remember Iraq? It is one of the two places that over 3,000 American GI's have died? I know that is a trivial number and all but put the OVERSPENDING b/s where it belonged, long before Obama took office and long before you became aware that the earth rotated on an axis apparently
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
Rocket448
Sep 12, 09 1:24 PM CDT
Even-S, in your comment you state that Government spending has been out of control since the last administration, which lasted 8 years. Why didn't you and other like-minded people tell your representatives that you wanted to put a stop to it? Or, if you did tell them that, good for you. Government has different priorities than you do, and it has requirements that it didn't ask for. Also, the federal debt grew largely because of off-budget, high-cost items GW Bush put in place, which arguably contributed to the crashed economy. In simple terms, then, bringing the US budget under control is not going to be easy.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
dax
Sep 12, 09 2:34 PM CDT
Even-Steven - If healthcare costs continue to escalate, they won't merely crush the individual, they'll crush the whole consumer economy, upon which everyone depends, including the same corporate interests who oppose reform. If the cost of gas continues to inflate, along with the cost of electricity, housing, education, food, etc., the slices of pie get much smaller. What happens to our economy and employment figures, when people stop patronizing restaurants, theaters, expensive sports venues, clothing retailers, etc., because necessities like medical care, gas, food, and electricity demand an increasing share of the financial pie? We have just witnessed the effects of that kind of downward spiral this past 18 months.---- Healthcare, food, education, energy are foundational issues which enable a vibrant economy and the personal freedom that it brings. The activist Right complains that so called "socialistic" healthcare policies do not properly address the "big picture" of future public debt. But their own narrow perspective does not properly account for the wide impact upon our economy of a middle class broken by speculation and unrestrained greed from the special interests. The inter-relationships defy simplistic definition by either side.
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+3

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