Protesting High Taxes

" Americans are making hard choices in their budgets and we've got to tighten our belts in Washington as well I would. Organizers of whatever these are. Speak to their motivations."

" We're not happy with the stimulus we're not -- would earmarks and how you would as a runaway spending and the messages stop spending adult bankrupt the country but I think -- president of the United States. Her first free -- it shouldn't be mean and a business owner. -- he doesn't know how to run a business you run our country."

" A little flavor of the day as all of these tea party's hundreds them of them around the country. Kick off -- the president talks about his tax policy today. What about all of this let's bring in our panel tonight Jeff Birnbaum managing editor digital of the Washington times Mara Liasson national political correspondent of national public radio. And syndicated columnist Charles crowd. Jeff let's start with you about these tea party's. Some -- Better attended than others but clearly it it did make a statement that they were all there could be 750. Of them when we add them up as we look at pictures from around the country. Of all the people that came out today what about these tea parties in the message that sent. Well I think it's."

" Very clear that the conservative movement is alive and well. And in every part of the country as you say. Thousands of Americans participating in hundreds of these tea party's. In addition the political right seems as -- if not more adept. At using social networking the Internet Twitter FaceBook to use the Internet to whom I have these. Net roots sort of organizations these people turned out because of organizations that. Were applied online. The question I think is. Will this be turned from a a group of angry people about the size of government and taxation into and -- moral movement. Is this the beginning the sprouting of I rejuvenation of the Republican Party which has. I really didn't battered about the face and arms for the last two election cycles or is this a movement that is outside of normal politics might this be the start of a third party movement or is it something -- this just. And enough to release anger on tax -- and that question has not been answered."

" Good to hear people talk -- of these different spots they they were insisting there wasn't about Republican and Democrat who was about the issue. A little less taxes and and less spending -- Yeah well you know I think if the Republican Party is smart -- and and skillful -- try to collapse some of this energy. All of these tools which the Obama campaign used very great affect the social networking tools and kind of creating. What seemed like a movement but now is right under the umbrella of the Democratic National Committee you know the Republicans. Would be lucky if they could channel some of this energy which is not just an anti tax energy because of the White House today they went. President Obama had an event in there was a lot of effort made to get out the message the President Obama hasn't raise taxes on most of the people who -- outside of -- earning less than 250000 dollars a year in instead he's actually cut their taxes. But I think what. A lot of those people that -- parties were talking about wasn't just taxes it was about spending it was about earmarks it was about all the things. That Republicans don't like about the Obama agenda."

" I don't think it's a movement it's a protest and it's a reaction to the fairly radical social agenda that Obama has unveiled. Ever since his inauguration. But I would remind. The people that the parties that. Unlike the original tea party this one is taxation with representation. Obama was elected by the American people against the -- sage advice advice I would I would -- But no one listens to me in his program was pretty. Open it was not hidden -- they elected a democratic majority large democratic. Majorities in the house and the Senate. And what they have as a result is. A government that is ready to use to tax code to confiscate -- much of your earnings as it can. Now the process is legitimate I think in terms of the of the substance I agree with the protest against the stimulus and the pork. But I disagree on the bailout. Paulson and Bernanke are not socialist and they're the ones who invented the TARP. And Summers and this secretary of the treasury. Tim Geithner are not socialist either. That's required. To keep the economy working and I think it's had some success of but I think what they are anticipating. An explosion of spending which is common has announced by the programs and Obama spelled out. And it's good that the elites know that there is a constituency strong and energetic ready to oppose it if not Republican conservative --"

" Just so does this send the message -- that. It's gonna be pretty tough to get anymore bailout money. From congress. I this environment I think there was no question of about that before hand but yes. It's quite clear there's going to be no more a bailout money for banks and there's gonna be no tax increases I think Obama present Obama had agreed to that already. But this kind of pressure especially. My guess is mostly on Republican members of congress indicates they're gonna be no votes for raising taxes until. The economy begins to turn upward again and then. It may have to come in a flood because you're such a huge need for more revenue given the size of the spending so far. And that's going to make it much harder for him to find money to pay for health care and other big things that he wanted it. There appears to -- move."