Athens TEA Party

    
On this Independence Day, people all over the nation gathered to protest our government's direction.
     The group called Taxed Enough Already or the TEA party takes point about the nation's debt, health care problems, and emissions trading.
     One group met in Athens and WDEF News 12's Mandy Odom has more on their call to action in our top local story.
     Andrew Tinsley says, "They're not representing us anymore, and we're going to send them all home."
     Andrew Tinsley wants to make sure his voice is heard.
     He thinks our government's spending is not sustainable without raising taxes.
     Tinsley says, "They're rewarding fiscal irresponsibility while people who pay their bills and buy houses they can afford are left out in the cold, footing the bill for everybody else's decisions. It's not right. It's not America."
     He says it's ridiculous to try to spend your way out of debt.
     Mitchell Shope agrees.
     He says, "I try not to spend more than I take in, and that ought to be our government's role too, not spend more than they take in."
     Government spending is just one of the issues addressed at the TEA party in Athens.
     Supporters signed petitions hoping to make politicians listen.
     Many feel like they will have to fight to keep their rights.
     Shope says,  "I'm really concerned about the direction my country is going, because I think it's going toward socialism,  which will lead to communism."
     Shope says he's going to do all he can like contacting his representatives.
     Many say it might take getting more people involved and taking their complaints to the polls.
     Ruar Johnson says, "Vote them out. Put people in there that will help us instead of helping theirselves. They're not helping us. They're helping theirselves."
     In Athens, Mandy Odom, WDEF News 12.
     Find out more at http://www.teapartyday.com/