Bigfork's 'Big Guns' get behind Flathead Tea Party

Unlike the events of December 16, 1773, no one was disguised when they attended the Flathead Tea Party last Saturday. Rather, it seemed that all 800 or so people at the event in Kalispell's Depot Park wanted their face to be seen and their voices heard.

According to Bigfork's Susan Taylor, one of the organizers of the event, the gathering was intended to send a clear message — as evinced in the signed tea bags she encouraged protesters to drop into baskets designated for President Barack Obama, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, and Rep. Denny Rehberg — to Montana's elected representatives.

Like Taylor, those who took the stage during the rally told protesters that the spending policy of those who were elected by Montanans and other citizens of U.S. states to represent them at the nation's capitol do not represent the interests of the people who elected them. One speaker after another insisted that it is time for residents of the Flathead community and all patriotic citizens to hold those representatives accountable.

Among the keynote speakers for the event were two of Bigfork's retired generals, Brig. Gen. Jim Cash and Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, who one state representative referred to as "Bigfork's Big Guns." Cash, who noted that both Houses of Congress and the White House are now controlled by Democrats and liberal policy makers, referred to the present administration as a one-party system and urged voters to ensure balance in government by restoring a system of checks and balances.

Protesters outraged over government spending they believe is out-of-control waved signs that decried government bailouts and deficit spending. One sign read, "Obama is robbin' U.S. not Robin Hood," another, "Throw out toxic government," and still another posed the question, "Are we a third world country?" and compared the 2009 deficit — as percentages of gross domestic product — of Cuba (5.6 percent) to the USA (11.1 percent).

Vallely referred to the actions of a Congress that does not represent Americans as criminal and said it may be time to affect a citizen's arrest.

"We'll take them out in hand cuffs and we'll put people in who can do the job," Vallely said. "I'm not going to let our people be led over a cliff because they're following a bunch of inept people who don't know a thing about leadership."

Vallely, who stressed his passion for the men and women who serve the country, said he sees too many politicians who don't have a clue about the enemies the country faces externally, adding that now the nation also faces enemies internally. He stirred the crowd by insisting that Americans take their country back and begin dealing from strength rather than weakness.

"This is a political movement that's gaining speed and gaining momentum," Vallely said of the gathering. "It's people like you who care about this country and where it's going."

The Flathead Tea Party was just one of the dozens of similar events held throughout Montana and across the country. Several thousand citizens took to the streets in more than 30 U.S. cities in February as the Tea Party USA movement revved its engines in protest of the largest spending package in the nation's history.

"This is an outstanding event," said Rep. Scott Reichner, HD 9 (Bigfork).

Reichner took the stage to assure Flathead voters and protesters at the rally that all but two Flathead legislators — Rep. Cheryl Steenson of HD 8 (Kalispell) and Mike Jopek of HD 4 (Whitefish) — voted to reject federal stimulus money for Montana. Reichner said the Flathead was well-represented in Helena and that Flathead representatives seek to empower their constituents.

Commenting on the rally, Reichner said, "It's an opportunity for people to come out and express their dissatisfaction with the irrational spending that goes on in D.C. It's happening all over the country and all over Montana. It's spreading like wildfire. People are getting tired of the irrational spending they see happening there.

"We've done pretty well here in Montana about being fiscally conservative. We're one of only four or five states that has a surplus. We're doing what we can. The stimulus money we don't need, frankly. I voted to send it back. I believe the way the stimulus package was dictated to us, it doesn't help the economy."

Reichner said he believes true stimulus must come from a change in policy and through recognizing the need to provide permanent tax relief for businesses that provide jobs and the families who depend on them.

"I think that's how you stimulate the economy," Reichner said. "Instead of the stimulus package, if you reduce taxes by the same amount, you're 10 times further ahead. I don't disagree with some of the projects that the money would go for, but I think there are other ways to stimulate the economy."

Reichner, a Republican, said economic policy that empowers Americans rather than government should not be a partisan issue. He also credited Montana's legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, for working together to do what is right for Montanans.

"I've got friends on both sides of the aisle, and I respect them," Reichner said. "To be honest, the Democrats have done a good job of keeping spending down, too. We've had two-thirds less appropriations this year. Spending is not going up at all in House Bill 2, because the Democrats know there's not a lot of money out there."

Tea Parties are also being planned for tax day, April 15, in major cities around the country and locally in both Kalispell and Polson. Kalispell demonstrators will gather in Depot Park at noon and Polson demonstrators will gather in Riverside Park from 4 to 6 p.m.