Cave Creek Tea Party
By Shari Jo Sorchych | April 22, 2009
CAVE CREEK – The Cave Creek Tea Party on Sunday at Harold’s drew a standing room only crowd of about 600, more than double the number expected, including families with children, young adults, singles and couples of all ages. Many wore patriotic attire, creatively sported tea bags and carried political signs covering a wide range of topics.
Arch McGill organized and emceed the event. Looking out over the enormous crowd from the stage, he said, “I have to tell you – looking around – I am shocked – I did not realize that this is what right wing terrorists looked like.”
He made it clear the gathering was non-partisan. “We are frustrated by all levels of government – both parties, spending, ear marks and passing bills before reading what they are signing.”
Emphasis was placed on: Getting back to core values, support of the Constitution, ending runaway spending, a return to conservative principles and the belief the USA is headed in the wrong direction.
Fourteen people were invited to the podium for brief speeches, each on a unique topic, which included focusing the stimulus money and incentives on job creation within small business, government operating within its budget, The Fairness Doctrine, socialized health care, speaking out on major issues, abolishing the income tax system and the IRS, socialism, Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Addresses and spending, debt and the burden we are putting on our younger generation.
Tom Jenney, Arizona Director of Americans for Prosperity, Ernie Bunch, Cave Creek Town Councilman and business entrepreneur, Dean Martin, State Treasurer and CFO of Arizona were among the first to speak.
McGill introducing Town Manager, Usama Abujbarah, as a man of action, acknowledged his efforts in reducing the operating spending in the town of Cave Creek by 50 – 60% in the last six months.
McGill’s comments between speakers received cheers from the crowd time and again:
“Our federal tax system is, in short, utterly impossible, utterly unjust and completely counterproductive, reeks with injustice and is fundamentally un-American.
“The USA has the second highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. It must be cut! Lowering corporate taxes creates jobs and reduces costs, making our products more competitive internationally.”
Bard Boand appeared as Gen. George S Patton, speaking about defending freedom and the world at war. Ben Stewart, a student at ASU and president of the Young Republican group, Rich Sanders, former college president, musician, and veteran, Mike Ike and Ray Herman, businessmen, Nancy Barto , state representative from District 7, Hugh Stevens, former Carefree mayor, Cie Scott, Ph.D, Ken Drager, former businessman, Matt Bonnstetter, historian film maker and former marine, Danielle Hampson, an American citizen raised under a socialist government, Dave Kolander, former businessman, and Gary Setbacken, a marine and businessman, rounded out the list of speakers.
McGill then asked more than a dozen questions of the crowd, which loudly responded in unison. Questions ranged from “Are we whining weasels?” to “Should we control our borders?” to “Do you believe our press is objective? to “Are your representatives representing you?
What can we do?
• Speak up!
• Write your representatives – local state and federal.
• Display bumper stickers to let others know they are not alone.
• E-mail letters work!
• Call the White House.
• Be prepared to vote in the 2010 elections.
• Talk to your children about our founding fathers, our Constitution and our grand history.
• After this event – expect more!
Photo by Shari Jo Sorchych