TEA Day In California

Yesterday, California voters overwhelmingly defeated massive tax increases as a way to fix the state's bugget problems.

The only measure that passed? One that bars increases in the salaries of public officials when the state's budget is in deficit.

More:

Schwarzenegger has called for cuts that would hit every corner of the state. He announced plans to lay off 5,000 of the state's 235,000 workers and has proposed slashing education by up to $5 billion, selling state properties, borrowing $2 billion from local governments and potentially reducing eligibility for healthcare programs.

Worst-case scenarios also call for the release from state prisons of up to 19,000 illegal immigrants, who would face deportation, and the transfer of up to 23,000 other prisoners to county jails.

Good. Maybe a good start on the healthcare front would be limiting access to US citizens.

Wheelchair Bound Protesters Arrested Outside White House

From the AP:

U.S. Park Police say they have arrested 91 protesters in front of the White House, including some in wheelchairs who chained themselves to a fence.

The protesters are calling on the president to support legislation that would give people with disabilities in need of long-term care alternatives to nursing homes.

No word yet on whether Obama knew about the protest or not.

Also, Keith Olberman and company at MSNBC have apparently not--as of today--resorted to crude sexual references when discussing the protesters.

Tea Day GOP Smackdown

From Michelle Malkin.

Something hugely significant just happened here at the Sacramento Tea Party. Organizer Mark Meckler singled out GOP opportunists who wouldn’t give him the time of day weeks ago — and then wanted to hitch their wagons to the Tea Party bandwagon at the last minute.

Meckler said he heard that California GOP chair Ron Nehring was in the audience. Meckler invited him to say hi to the crowd — and then ripped him for waffling on the massive tax hike ballot measures (particularly Prop1A - $16 billion tax hikes).

Massive boos from the crowd of thousands here against the Calif. GOP establishment.

Will this make the MSM coverage? It doesn’t fit the narrative. But it’s yet another demonstration that this movement is not partisan and equal opportunity when it comes to holding politicians’ feet to the fire for fiscal irresponsibility and fecklessness.

Excellent.

Tax Day Tea Party

Kira was certainly feeling better than she was early yesterday morning, so I decided around 11:30 after I picked up the van from the shop, that I'd take her down to the Tea Party downtown.

It was interesting event. Unfortunately I could barely hear anyone talking as I somehow ended up behind the stage. I could barley hear Mancow's voice, much less make out what he was saying. We did manage to sneak around a bit later on so that I could hear part of what Jonathan Hoenig said, but again, not much.

I did run into a former co-worker (from Deluxe) who is unemployed as well now. He has taken it upon himself to make his own "stimulus package," and has started a little store at cafepress.com called Truly Scriptees.

Spread his work ethic around, not his wealth.

Here are some pictures of the, naturally, peaceful and fun event.




All my pics can be found here.