By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Hundreds of sign-toting protesters rallied Wednesday at the state Capitol against the Obama administration’s spending policies.
The gathering was one of several such events held around the state as part of a nationwide series of “tea parties” held to vent opposition to government spending and bailouts, planned to symbolically coincide with federal tax deadline day.
More than 500 people rallied at the Capitol, some dressed in colonial or Uncle Sam costumes and many carrying signs, “No Bailouts” and “Take Back the Bailouts” among them.
“Bush was irresponsible and the current administration and Congress have just multiplied that times 10. They’re going crazy with the money,” said Doug King, an out-of-work Conway resident who said he lost his job before the economy went sour but could take care of his family without a government hand out.
“I think a movement like this, starting now, we can do some good in 2010 to maybe vote some people in that are going to be more responsible with our money,” King said.
Homemaker Joy Birge of Little Rock said she feared for the country’s future because of excess government spending and the federal bailouts.
Events like the rallies eventually could change the government’s course by “getting people excited about getting involved,” she said.
One woman’s sign read: “Lincoln, Pryor, are you listening?”
U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor are both Democrats. Republicans have targeted Lincoln, who is seeking a third term in the 2010 election.
The crowd included many children actively involved in the rally.
Kelly Jenkins, 13, of Cabot, carried a sign that read: “Keep your hand out of my piggy bank.”
“It’s not going to only cost the people living today. More of it’s going to come out of the money that we’re going to have to pay,” she said. “I don’t think it’s right for them to tax (her generation) what we’re going to have to pay since we didn’t get to vote.”
Organizers said the Little Rock rally was a nonpartisan effort, though speakers included Republican Rep. Dan Greenberg of Little Rock. Doyle Webb, chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, also attended but did not speak.
Earlier Wednesday, a handful of Obama supporters rallied at the main Little Rock post office to tout administration policies, in particular middle-class tax cuts and a proposal to close loopholes Obama officials say now allow big corporations to shelter millions of dollars in offshore tax havens.
——-
The Associated Press contributed to this report
