The hundreds that lined the lawn of the Mercer County Courthouse Saturday morning, all had their reasons to be here. "I just think we're not heard. They're not paying any attention to us," said Brenda Brown of Reading. "I have two new, 7-month old grandsons and I want them to grow up paying less taxes than I do," said Hermitage resident Darrell Grim. "As a people, a lot of us aren't sitting around, wondering what's going on and questioning it. We just go along with our everyday lives," said Dane Holler of Niles.
Many at the courthouse said throwing this tea party and airing their concerns on America's Independence Day was the perfect fit. "This is a celebration of independence and that's what we certainly need. We need independence from this overblown government," said Michelle Zolnier of Hermitage.
Everyone here agreed that while these tea parties are good in theory, they won't accomplish much, unless these people take their message straight to the government. "They can be great if people get the message and they get it out and realize what is truly going on," said Loren Holler of West Middlesex.
Some people took it upon themselves to make sure everyone knew how to pass their feelings along. "I'm handing out the toll-free number for any Senator or our local representatives. We need to call them, everyday, tell them what you don't like," Zolnier said. That number is 1-877-851-6437.
