Tea Partiers just want to be heard

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - From West Michigan to Washington and points around the nation, conservatives rallied against big government, big taxes and big spending with Tea Party rallies.

West Michigan attendees hears many of the same themes echoed throughout the country Thursday - smaller, more responsive government and less spending with lower taxes.

But it seems what many of the Tea Party ralliers really want is for someone to listen.

"I've got five kids. I want to be able to tell my children that I did whatever I could to save America," said Zeeland resident Dave Russcher at the Hudsonville rally.

Holly Coyle of Grandville said government is the problem. "I'm tired of the government telling me how I should live and spending my money completely irresponsibly."

After hundreds of similar rallies with thousands of participants, is any of this doing any good? Margie Dickerson of Allegan said it just needs to be done regardless.

"If we don't, it'll just get worse," she told 24 Hour News 8. "We need to do our part. We need to make sure people know we're still fighting, we want out country back."

The Tea Party activists targeted the Obama Administration's health care plan, but it became law despite their protests.

The question now for the Tea Party is what kind of impact they'll have on the November elections. Will they bolster Republican chances? Vote against incumbents, regardless of party? Bring new voters to the polls? Will they vote with a singular voice?

Only time will answer those questions. But Republicans and at least one Libertarian are working the Tea Party crowds to turn the activism into electoral victory.

The Associated Press reports More than 1,000 sign-waving protesters have gathered in front of the Michigan Capitol to call for tax cuts and criticize government.

Chants of "take back Michigan" broke out Thursday as the crowd was urged to call lawmakers at home to express their displeasure over votes they didn't like.

Attorney General Mike Cox got the crowd roaring with his charge that the federal health care changes are unconstitutional. The Republican gubernatorial hopeful has joined in a lawsuit challenging the laws.

The annual mock rendition of the Boston Tea Party revolt was expecting big crowds Thursday from Lansing to Pontiac, Grand Rapids and Port Huron.

Last year, about 4,000 tax protesters gathered at the Capitol.