Power to the people

Photo by Jose Luis Magana/AP

This is community organizing with adrenalin pumping.

The tens of thousands of protesters marched to the U.S. Capitol chanting various slogans and waving posters that voiced a rather broad array of grievances against big government and the leaders, particularly President Obama, who the protesters blame for its size and scope…

The line of protesters clogged several blocks near the capitol, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

The demonstration was part of the so-called Tea Party Movement that gathered steam in April to protest tax policies. And Saturday’s event was the culmination of a 34-city, 7,000-mile bus tour that began Aug. 28 in Sacramento, Calif.

The “partiers” have cited a host of grievances and demands, such as a call for any health care reform to create more competition and be guided by market principles, not a government-run plan.

Organizers said they anticipated tens of thousands of proponents of limited government to attend. They said it would be the largest group of fiscal conservatives to ever gather in Washington.

Lawmakers also supported the rally. Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said Americans want health care reform but they don’t want a government takeover.

“Republicans, Democrats and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order,” Pence, of Indiana, told The Associated Press.

“I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough.”

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., also spoke at the rally. DeMint said he’d had enough of “Alice in Wonderland” politicians promising more programs at the risk of financial disaster.

“The president has warned us if we disagree with him he’s going to call us out,” DeMint said. “Well, Mr. President, we are out.”