Upon returning home early Sunday morning, I noticed The A-T's Commentary section headline read, "Skeptics temper tone on Obama," I beg to differ. I had just spent an exhilarating day and one of the most important acts of my life in Washington, D.C., marching on the U.S. Capitol with thousands and thousands of "skeptics" from all over the United States whose tone has not tempered one iota.
Americans expressing their right of peaceable assembly were stretched from the Capitol Building down Pennsylvania Avenue back to the White House.
I traveled to our country's capital with the North Central Conservatives on a charter bus. Ohio was reported to have 44 bus loads of participants. We arrived at Union Station around 8 a.m. Saturday morning before starting the mile-long walk to the staging area for all to assemble in preparation for the march. T-shirts and signs everywhere conveyed the feelings of the citizenry. Some signs read: "The Constitution ... the other document they didn't read," "Don't spread my wealth around, spread my work ethic," "Print me a trillion while you're at it!," "Money doesn't grow on taxpayers," "Ali bama and the 40 czars," "Grow your own dope, plant a politician," "Kill Obama's health care, not senior citizens" and "Communist Zealots Are Running Society."
I saw several in the crowd dressed as patriotic forefathers in their breeches and ruffles topped with powered wigs and tri-cornered hats. Native Americans and the Statue of Liberty ladies strolled throughout the masses. One elderly woman, dressed in striped prison garb pulling a ball and chain, stated Obama's health care plan would imprison her from choice and make her indebted to society.
Practicing attorney Larry Schmidtz from Indianapolis said, "I'm here today because there are two things I really like. One is church humor and the other is conservative political expression. I'm here sampling the ideas of the common man; they are far more knowledgeable and reliable than the opinions of all the politicians in the country."
Pat Goings from Arab, Ala. told me, "I'm here because I'm very concerned that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are going to have to fight tooth and toenail to keep paying the government for what they are doing to them now."
Nancy from Mechanicsburg, Pa., remarked, "I think it is awful the way Obama has come in and totally corrupted and destroyed our democracy and capitalism, turning us into socialists, Marxists, fascists. He has maneuvered things so quickly - who knows where they will end up? I'm so glad to see these people standing up for our freedom and liberty."
Maryland resident Dave Macafear stated, "I think the health care plan is wrong, it's going to cost us way too much money and my generation will end up paying for it."
Another Maryland resident, Donnie Bookman, said, "I'm amazed that this many people are here. Praise God for them all. We need to get the bums out of the White House."
Ira Binder from suburban Philadelphia remarked, "I suggest everyone in the country read the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. When they talk about who the smartest presidents were, the media tells us it was Obama and Clinton, but look at Jefferson, Madison, Adams, who had less formal education but created this government out of nothing."
Tiffin resident Ron Conn added, "I'm glad to be here and be part of making a difference, and help clean up the government, stopping the march of tyranny, socialism - no more czars."
Sarah Palin backer Tom Chanteloup said, "I'm emphasizing Palin's political views of less government spending, tax regulation and balancing the budget. The government is not the solution for everything."
Three dozen speakers encouraged the crowd all afternoon. New York firefighter Vincent Flores, who was on duty when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers Sept. 11, 2001, brought a roar from those gathered near the Capitol.
After a long trek back to Union Station to catch our bus home, once weary marchers quieted down for a rest, local North Central Conservatives voiced their opinions.
Acting President Jim Green stated, "It was one of the most outstanding group of individuals gathered to protest against the government, taxation and the constitutionality of all things being induced upon the American public. Valid estimates show we had between 1.5-2.2 million participants in the march. .... It was just an amazing, wonderful, exciting and exhilarating event."
Jim Hoover from Gibsonburg summed up with, "Today, we made a couple things official. The federal government has turned on the people and today the people have made it official they are not going to put up with it. It will be interesting to see the spin put on the event by the media. They choose not to see the civil unrest percolating in the country, but today we saw how strong the movement really is."
I was thrilled to see so many united Americans who love this country and don't want the Living God taken out of all aspects of their lives. My thoughts turned to II Chronicles 7:14 numerous times as I spoke to others: "If my people who are called by my name, would humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Bonnie Daniel is a guest columnist
