Tea party in Palatine to show dissatisfaction with government

After thousands of people demonstrated pride in their community and country at parades across the suburbs, a few hundred citizens mobilized in Palatine to show their dissatisfaction with government spending and expansion.

They descended on Palatine's Volunteer Plaza for a tea party rally that drew numerous patriot groups and mainstream Republican candidates including GOP nominee for governor Bill Brady.

"We've had enough of politicians who dig deeper into our pockets," Brady said, as he stood on a small stage with wife Nancy at his side. "Jobs and people and dollars are fleeing our state at record levels."

Like rallies before it, the creative signs and patriotic Paul Revere attire were plentiful. Attendees "Tired of the Obama Kool-Aid" could purchase an iced tea beverage or buy a "Support Arizona" button to make their stance known on immigration policy.

Joe Tragesser of Lake Zurich, carrying the "Don't tread on me" flag that's come to represent tea party movement, said he came because he's concerned about the nation's $13 trillion debt. He also said the grass-roots movement is gaining steam.

"I'm concerned people think we're a fringe element or a bunch of radicals," he said. "But this is about supporting smaller government, less taxes and less spending."

Other candidates to speak included Tom Morrison, Republican nominee for the 54th House District, and Republican Joe Walsh of McHenry, who's running against U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer of Lindenhurst in the 8th Congressional District.

Asserting himself as a tea party candidate, Walsh agreed that the tea party movement "isn't radical anymore," adding that he wants to shake up and return the Republican Party to its limited government roots. In addition to taking jabs at Bean, he promised to only serve six years if elected and not take a health care or retirement benefit given to those serving in Congress.

Bean was a popular target throughout the afternoon rally, which started off with regional tea party coordinator Craig Mijares speaking about links between her and Glenn Beck's Crime Inc., a Fox News series the conservative political pundit leads largely dealing with cap and trade carbon credits.

"I am calling out Melissa Bean as a progressive," Mijares said.

The rally remained peaceful and free of protesters, though people often became impassioned as they expressed worry about the nation's future.

"I'm scared for my grandchildren because these deficits are unsustainable," 31-year Palatine resident Frank Muccianti said. "There's no way we can keep paying for all this."