This year’s 4^th of July was a focal point for those protesting trillions in federal spending. From the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $410 billion Omnibus package, and pending health care reforms led an expected one thousand TEA Protesters gathering at Flint City Hall Saturday. 

TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already, according to the Genesee County organizers. 

“We’re tired of people simply wanting more from us without giving anything,” said Mark Berberich of Flint, who attended the protest.   

While others passed out pocket-size copies of the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, Berberich used Independence Day to recall the thoughts of the country’s Founding Fathers. 

“The limits of government were well established in the US Constitution back in the 1700s,” Berberich said. 

The protest was not billed as a partisan event. 

“This isn’t about Republicans.  This is not about Democrats.  It’s about our money being spent so frivolously.  Kids aren’t going to have anything in life like what we’ve known in America,” said Evelyn Rubel. 

The movement started back on Tax Day, April 15.  Back then there were nearly 800 events scheduled across the country.