'TEA Party" draws 1,000

The organizer of Williston's TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party thanked a large crowd Saturday morning for coming out to make their voices heard on taxes and other government concerns.

"This is just awesome, awesome. Thank you for coming out on this beautiful Saturday. Instead of going to the beach or go fishing for the last time this summer, you decided to come here and let your voices be heard," said Vernon Brossart.

The Williston group held a rally in Harmon Park beginning shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday. A final estimate of the crowd near the end of the event was slightly over 1,000.

For just over two hours, Brossart and a series of speakers local and statewide, spoke about their displeasure over taxes, the national debt, health care and a variety of other concerns. A main theme throughout the speeches were the need to be heard and to take the country back from things such as taxes and runaway spending.

Speakers urged citizens to become informed, involved and to hold representatives accountable who aren't listening to what the public wants from them, and for passing legislation that may hurt the state and country.

Brossart cited the example of proposed cap-and-trade legislation. Brossart said this kind of legislation is amazing, and incredibly hurtful.

"I'm just about at a loss for words," said Brossart.

Another speaker who was Mike Motschenbacher, vice-president of Citizens for Responsible Government in North Dakota. Shortly before Motschenbacher spoke, an attendance figure of 1,013 people had been mentioned to the crowd. He seized that number to make his point about everyone making their voices heard and holding their leaders accountable.

"Wouldn't it be incredible if 1,013 people showed up to a committee meeting in Bismarck? Wouldn't it be amazing if 1,013 people went into a city commission meeting in your or any local community? Even if you didn't all testify, your presence would be something they couldn't ignore," said Motschenbacher.

Motschenbacher said, this country faces a decision on where it wants to go. He made the choice to get involved three years ago, and urged those in attendance to get involved and informed as well.

He said whatever issue you feel strongly about that isn't being addressed, confront your leaders about it by being vocal and being informed.

"A politician's worst nightmare is an educated voter," said Motschenbacher.

Another speaker who voiced his displeasure about taxes and Washington policy was Kevin Cramer. Cramer is a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

Cramer said the current national energy policy is one that doesn't make sense and hurts the American people, while strengthening other countries such as Iran and Venezuela. He said the United States spends about $1 trillion to import oil from countries that don't like the U.S., while at the same time taxing and punishing domestic oil companies.

"They need to understand that our national and economic security are directly tied to our national energy policy," said Cramer.

Cramer said there are ways of having energy policy while respecting the environment, but it shouldn't come at an expense of our way of life.

"North Dakota is a shining example of how to produce oil and minerals and do it in an environmentally reasonable way," said Cramer.

Brossart said the way to get change is to hold elected officials accountable, educate yourself and others and remain vocal. He also cited the importance of the younger generation.

"Don't be like me and wake up after 40 years and find yourself going 'What in the heck happened to this country of mine?'" said Brossart.