Dissatisfied with the government and brandishing messages such as “;Taxed Enough Already”; and “;Enough Is Enough,”; hundreds of protesters rallied at the state Capitol yesterday to deliver a message to lawmakers: “;No more taxes.”;

The second Tax Day Tea Party at the state Legislature, which coincided with similar events on neighbor islands, capped off a nationwide day of protest on the deadline for federal income taxes.

“;I'm tired of the government spending out of control and taking over our freedom,”; said Kapolei resident Sue Sowders, who carried a sign reading “;Save our freedom, Save the $.”;

“;We need to stop spending money we don't have,”; she added. “;Reduce the size of the government and make the spending cuts that you have to make to live within your budget just like we have to do at home with our budget.”;

Protesters crowded the sidewalk area around the St. Damien statue on the Beretania Street side of the Capitol. About 1,000 people—some of whom took advantage of free bus service from Ward Centre—were there for the 4 p.m. start, with more expected throughout the three-hour event.

Organizers set up voter registration tables, sign-making areas and fundraising stations, mixed with campaign tables for political candidates, primarily Republicans.

Gary Fruth manned a table collecting signatures for an anti-tax petition.

“;I think most of the people here are just concerned about runaway government,”; he said. “;It's gotten out of control. At some point it's going to break our backs because they're taking too much money.”;

  Hundreds Protest Against Higher Taxes

 

Too many taxes and too much spending are the two issues of this group gathered at the capitol. It's a message they are sending loud and clear to Hawaii lawmakers.

 

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The scene was similar across the country.

Police estimate 1,200 showed up in Hartford, Conn., where one sign plainly took sides: “;Dump All Democrats.”; At least 1,000 paraded through downtown Boise, Idaho; about 500 rallied in Oklahoma City. And about 60 people mocked the government in word and song in Montpelier, Vt.

The Hawaii rally was aimed squarely at state lawmakers—majority Democrats who approved this week an increase in the tax on a barrel of oil. The increase from a nickel to $1.05 per barrel is expected to increase the cost of gas and energy bills.

“;They never look to cut the size of government,”; Dick Rowland, president emeritus of the Grassroot Institute, a conservative think tank, told the crowd. “;They always look to raise taxes.”;

Although billed as an event open to all, regardless of party, the message was primarily one of voting out incumbent Democrats.

One candidate, Republican Charles Djou, attended the rally and took the occasion of tax deadline day to launch an appeal for votes. Djou is running against Democrats Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa in a special election to replace Neil Abercrombie in the U.S. House.

“;When voters fill out their ballot form for the special election for Congress, they should remember the tax forms they filled out today,”; Djou said in a message to supporters. “;The federal government is spending too much of the people's money on programs that don't work, with no plan to pay it back other than to hand the bill to our nation's children.”;

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee began running a Web-only ad against Djou, saying his stance opposing the federal stimulus program would have cost thousands of jobs in Hawaii.

“;Republicans like Djou favor special interests over working families,”; DNC spokesman Frank Benenati said.