Marchers express ire at Obama

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of demonstrators from across the country marched up Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday beneath assorted banners with a unified theme: anger at President Barack Obama and his agenda.

Organizers of the loosely knit coalition of anti-tax, small-government proponents were hoping for a crowd of 25,000 to 50,000, billing the march as the largest gathering of fiscal conservatives in the history of the nation's capital.

The hand-lettered placards borne down Washington's grand avenue presented a smorgasbord of dissent. There were anti-abortion demonstrators, term-limit advocates, critics of a federal probe into the CIA's interrogation tactics, marchers worried about inflation and picketers unhappy about the soaring national debt.

"Obamacare makes me sick" and "I'm not your ATM" were among the slogans.

"Is This Russia?" asked one sign.

"Traitors Terrorists Run Our government," read another in glowing safety orange.

Other signs -- reflecting the growing intensity of the health-care debate -- depicted Obama with the signature mustache of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Many made reference to Obama as a socialist or communist, and another imposed his face on that of the villainous Joker from "Batman."

If there was a unifying theme, it was the belief that the federal government, starting with the financial bailout last fall and continuing through the early months of the Obama administration, has grown too big and too intrusive in the economy and the everyday lives of Americans.

The main focus of yesterday protest, however, was Obama's bid to use the government's power to cut the costs and expand the availability of health care, a cause he defended in a speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

After some initial reluctance, GOP leaders in Congress embraced yesterday's demonstrators and their cause, including Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the House Republican caucus.

Pence said Americans want health-care reform, but they don't want a government takeover.

"Republicans, Democrats and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order," Pence said. "I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough."

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., also spoke at the rally. DeMint said he'd had enough of "Alice in Wonderland" politicians promising more programs at the risk of financial disaster.

"The president has warned us if we disagree with him he's going to call us out," DeMint said. "Well, Mr. President, we are out."

Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and a former Teamster, came from Paw Paw, Mich. He said health care needs to be reformed -- but not according to Obama's plan.

"My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It's going to cost too much money that we don't have," he said while marching.

FreedomWorks Foundation, a conservative organization led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, organized several groups from across the country for what they billed as a "March on Washington."

Organizers say they built on momentum from the April "tea party" demonstrations held nationwide to protest tax policies, along with growing resentment over the economic stimulus packages and bank bailouts.

Armey and other speakers directed their ire at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Armey took a photo, telling the crowd he wants to be able to prove to her they were there.

"If it's necessary, we'll come back here next year," he said.

Many protesters said they paid their own way to the event -- an ethic they believe should be applied to the government. They say unchecked spending on things like a government-run health insurance option could increase inflation and lead to economic ruin.

Terri Hall, 45, of Starke, Fla., said she felt compelled to become political for the first time this year because she was upset by government spending.

"Our government has lost sight of the powers they were granted," she said. She added that the deficit spending was out of control and said she thought it was putting the country at risk.

Norman Kennedy, 64, of Charleston, S.C., said he wants to send a message to federal lawmakers that America is "deeply in debt." He said though he'd like everyone to have free health care, he said there's no money to pay for it.

"We want change and we're going to get change," Kennedy said. "I want to see fiscal responsibility and if that means changing Congress that will be a means to that end."

Other sponsors of the rally include the Heartland Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights.