Recordpub.com - Protesting taxes in Portage: TEA Party in Ravenna focuses on taxes, health care

Judy Thompson, of Ravenna, holds a sign in protest.

Roak Zeller speacks on behalf of Trumball/Portage Young Republican National Federation

By Diane Smith

Record-Courier staff writer

Nobody was drinking tea, but plenty of people were steaming at a local rally that addressed taxes and political involvement.

The Portage County Courthouse lawn in Ravenna was filled with people attending the Portage County TEA Party Saturday evening. Several people held signs proclaiming the theme of the rally: “Taxed Enough Already.”

Speakers included W. Roak Zeller of Mogadore, who is president of the Trumbull-Portage Young Republicans, Chris Long of the Ohio Christian Alliance, Frank LaRose, a candidate for state senate in the 27th district, and Dr. Michael Pryce, who is the author of a soon to be released book, “Anathema! America’s War on Medicine.” The speakers addressed themes of local involvement in politics, nationalized health care and reforming the sales tax.

People sat in lawn chairs, listening to speakers and wearing patriotic shirts and holding signs. Some of the signs read, “I believe in the best social program — job” and “I’ll keep my guns and money, you keep the change,” among other slogans.

Sam Williams and his wife, Jan, came from Akron to attend the rally. They wore hats with tea bags dangling from them and propped up a sign reading, “We are concerned about the course of these human events.”

“I believe we’re headed in the wrong direction,” he said.

Ralph Jones of Ravenna attended the rally with his wife, Mary, and their three children.

“None of these things they’re doing are helping us get out of this recession, and they’re not meant to,” he said. “They’re taxing our children. We’re losing jobs every day. I think we’re taxed enough as it is.”

Steve Bereceek of Nelson handed out flyers inviting Portage County residents to a public hearing Thursday on a proposed storm water utility.

“They are looking for more taxes,” he said. “No new taxes.”

50.	Posted by s.swenson July 17, 2009
	Just reading the comments on this topic help one to understand why our government can't get anything productive done, nobody can agree. People have opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other and get so hung up on party affiliation and defending past politicians due to the party they are with instead of looking for ways to come together and figure out how to get out of this huge economic mess we are in. Our children and grandchildren are going to pay for the actions of gov't at this time and everyone wants to just squabble about who's right and wrong instead of putting an action plan into place.

49.	Posted by chilidawg July 17, 2009
	Oh yeah, Ghengis Kwhan, or whatever the flip your name is. You can try to stereotype me as a conservative repub, or whatever you guys like to do. I have news for you. I am not conservative. I am atheist. Pro-Eugenics, er, I mean abortion. Pro gay rights. Pro-enviro and education. I just don't follow a party line and refuse to be P.C. I simply call a spade a spade, when I see it. And, I am the most anti-welfare person on earth. This healthcare bill is nothing more than welfare. The only thing the Tea Partiers and myself have in common, is that we are done giving away our hard earned money. And, I would much rather donate my money to the war effort than feeding dynasty welfare rats.

46.	Posted by lwhan4 July 14, 2009
	Ok well I didn't realize I was dealing with complete ignorance and mentally handicapped when I typed my posts , but I can see by 'chilidawg's post exactly the type of people that are at these 'TEA parties'. 'chilidawg's comments were :"Your token polticians can have fun trying to "take care of their own" without a good chunk of our tax money to do it. " No facts in that, just prejudice & hate. Your post said it all. I won't waste another second on your kind. *If anyone else is reading this post knows this 'chilidawg' I would like to know what business they own so anyone against prejudice can be sure to not giver their company any of our money.*

43.	Posted by chilidawg July 14, 2009
	lwhan4, Don't tell people what will and will not work in this country, anymore. You obviously have no clue. The "progressiveness" that you tout will only last a few more months to a year. People are quickly becoming tired of it, and ARE NOT going to tolerate it, and are going to demand change quick. You think people were angry under Bush, well, now the business owners and backbone of this country are angry. You know, the ones that count. I will not be supporting hood rats and welfare scum. Your token polticians can have fun trying to "take care of their own" without a good chunk of our tax money to do it.