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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 27
Friday, February 27, 2009
Protesters hold anti-stimulus “tea party” at the Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hundreds of people gathered in the pouring rain at the state Capitol to protest the multi-billion dollar federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama.
Protesters chanted, “Take back America,” and held signs against bailouts. Another protester held a U.S. Navy Jack with the rattlesnake and the words, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
Protests across the country have sprung up today, inspired by Rick Santelli of CNBC, who stood on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade last week and went on a spontaneous on-air rant against Pres. Obama’s proposed mortgage bailout. Santelli mentioned holding a tea party to protest the idea, like the Boston Tea Party, when colonists protested unjust taxation from England.
The idea has taken a life of its own, and Friday, about 200 protesters showed up in Atlanta, some with tea bags, to protest the stimulus bill and other bailouts.
“My concern is that this country is going down a dangerous path toward socialism and that’s not what my forefathers, or my ancestors, fought and died for,” said protester Allen LaBerteaux, 41, of Lilburn. He had two tea bags in his pocket.
The state employee went to the Capitol in the cold rain to register his opposition to the stimulus bill, which he sees as irresponsible spending by the federal government.
Supporters say the $787 billion stimulus package is designed to jump-start the economy with public works construction, new jobs and tax cuts for millions of Americans.
Protesters at the Capitol handed out One Trillion dollar bills with the faces of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada).
State Republican politicians lined up to speak in the rain, including gubernatorial hopefuls Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton).
State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) also spoke, urging the crowd to find socialists in office and “kick them out.”
“Let’s go after them,” Rogers said, to cheers from the crowd.
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Cagle won’t block Sunday sales vote
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With a vote on Sunday alcohol sales coming up next week, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is continuing to signal that he’s not standing in the way of the bill’s passage.
Cagle, the Senate’s president, has been accused of blocking Sunday alcohol sales legislation in the past. He’s only said publicly that he wouldn’t stand in the way of a Senate vote on Senate Bill 16, which allows communities to hold a referendum to vote on Sunday sales of beer, wine and liquor at stores. Alcoholic beverages can already be sold on Sundays in many areas at restaurants and bars.
But when supporters of the bill contact his office, Cagle has been for months responding with a letter that takes a much stronger stance.
In it, Cagle said he personally opposes Sunday sales for religious reasons.
But he adds, “I recognize we live in a democracy where the wishes of the majority must be respected. For this reason, I have not opposed a referendum that will allow voters to choose whether or not to allow Sunday sales.
“While I would vote against such a change at the ballot box, I do not believe the Legislature should deny voters of our state a chance to make this choice for themselves and their community,” he wrote.
That viewpoint puts Cagle, a Republican running for governor in 2010, on the opposite side of the Christian Coalition of Georgia and Gov. Sonny Perdue. The Christian Coalition has already vowed to make it a Republican primary issue next year. And one of Cagle’s opponents, Republican Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, has already come out against Sunday sales.
The Sunday sales bill is set to be considered by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee next Wednesday.
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