Hundreds of anti-tax activists gathered outside the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest government spending and taxation.
But many of the protesters seemed more interested in complaining about the growth of the federal government and President Obama than they did state issues.
Signs held aloft by people in the crowd of 300 or so ranged from “Stop Obamacare, give us jobs!” to “No Hope in Socialism!”
Asked why he turned out to protest outside the state Capitol, 73-year-old Bob Bunderson of Berthoud talked about federal spending and complained about members of Congress. When asked about how state lawmakers figured in those issues, he said, “I guess I get the state and the U.S. (governments) confused sometimes.”
Still, Bunderson and others said they were angry at the Democratic-led legislature for passing a slew of bills recently to eliminate tax exemptions on a variety of goods and services to help balance the state budget.
He said state spending is the problem, though, he admitted, “I don’t have a clue what they could cut. I’m sure we’ve got some programs that are touchy-feely programs that are only for the benefit of people who sponsored the bill.”
James Landauer, 65, of Denver said the rally was “sending a message to every level of government, but Obama is at the top.”
Several Republican lawmakers attended the rally, and Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, a candidate for Congress, asked those at the rally to raise their right hands.
“Put it on your wallets,” Gardner said. “Now, don’t let go for another 63 days.”
That’s when the legislative session ends.
Campaign staff for Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis as well as Tom Wiens, a GOP hopeful for U.S. Senate, were on hand at the event.
Jon Caldara, president of the libertarian Independence Institute think tank, said Republicans in recent years have not been acting enough like fiscal conservatives either in Washington or at the state Capitol.
“It’s wonderful again to see Republicans talk like Republicans,” Caldara said.
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 or thoover@denverpost.com
