BV Tea Party Patriots

Citations of big spending, taxes, taking our guns away

BY TINA DONATH

About 175 people gathered at the Sunset Park bandshell Monday for a “Tea Party” protesting increased taxation and spending, gun control, erosions of freedoms and what organizers see as a general trend toward socialism.

The 2 p.m. event was sponsored by the Buena Vista County Patriots, who have been meeting for the past several months.  The local group held a rally on July 4, but this is the  group’s first tea party.  Opening speaker for the event was Steve Ehlers of Newell, costumed as Patrick Henry, giving an oration first heard in 1775, ending, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Don Demers of rural Storm Lake called Social Security a “huge Ponzi scheme” that has to be fixed.  Politicians are using it as a pawn to secure votes, he says.

Glen McCannon of Aurelia, speaking on second amendment rights, said that Buena Vista County’s gun permit policy is one of the most restrictive counties in Iowa.  Guns are not permitted here for personal defense or self-protection, he says.

Between the various speakers,  Storm Lake resident Carol Goslinga, as “Grandma Carol” came to the mic to put in a few words.

Carol’s better half, Stewart Goslinga, as Grandpa Stew, spoke of the rights of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  All have been interpreted in recent years so that they no longer reflect the intent of the founders, he said.

Among those in attendance was Tom Saw, police chief of Laurens, an independent candidate for Iowa House in District 8.  He’s interested in seeing a constitutional amendment on traditional marriage.  A retired Naval officer, Shaw carried a large Navy Jack flag reading, “Don’t Tread on Me.”

Nodding and shouting affirmation of much that was said was Boyd Halverson, of Laurens.  His concern is health care reform, he says.

Attending as a member of the Patriots group was Betty Chindlund of Storm Lake, who says the country is headed on the road to socialism.  “Our freedoms are being taken away little by little,” she says. 

Newell Republicans Jim and Wendy Moize carried a sign to the tea party reading “Say no to a nanny state.”  They’re concerned, they say, about the socialistic trends in our education system and the lack of emphasis on individual accountability.

Not all of those in attendance were locals.  Among the out-of-towners were Gene and Tricia JuVette of Rockwell City, conspicuous by the three German Shepherd search and rescue dogs they brought with them.  Their issues with the government include increased taxation and spending, gun control, socialized health care and cap and trade provisions.

One of the organizers of the event is Greg Gillis, of Storm Lake.  “Most people in the country are tired of spending money we don’t have,” he said before the event.  “I think with all the tea parties, the silent majority is going to speak out.”