Tea Party Houston

A CNBC Business News reporter recently started a groundswell of grass root support as the loyal opposition organizes to protest the economic takeover of the American way of life. As the president presented his budget to the public yesterday - but took no questions from reporters - we are only just now realizing exactly what the term 'change' means to a perceived liberal mandate.

Rick Santelli reports live from the trading floor in Chicago Board of Trade. He focuses on interest rates, foreign exchange and the Federal Reserve. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and he has been a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. Recently, Mr. Santelli had a minute or two of air time and put it to use in his form of protesting the increasing levels of the bailout mentality in Washington. And, as he grew more and more dramatic in protest, rant style, he incurred the support of others on the trading floor. They cheered him.

The next day, during the White House press briefing, Press Secretary Gibbs took shots at the intelligence and motives of Mr. Santelli. It was a major punk moment for Gibbs but it is the Chicago way. Instead of refuting facts, Gibbs went personal. Change, Chicago style.

After all, what would a guy who began his career trading on the floor in Chicago back in 1979 know about markets and government intervention? He joined CNBC in 1999.

Which brings us to today. Today is Nationwide Chicago Tea Party. Can't wait to hear the intellectual lobbing of Gibbs about a grassroots operation launched by regular everyday people. You know, the ones who will be stuck paying the price of the Obama administration's enormous power grab of our government. The very folks condemning the Bush administration for perceived Executive Office power grabs over the war on terror now do the same using our economic system. Socialism 101.

Organized online, Nationwide Chicago Tea Party is a reaction to the administration's slap to Mr. Santelli and the American people begging for common sense in Washington. Some large groups on line, such as Top Conservatives on Twitter, Smart Girl Politics, the #DontGo Movement, Americans for Tax Reform, the Heartland Institute, and American Spectator Magazine heeded the call and joined forces. Cities across the country will witness peaceful, well attended protests of the expansion of government into all our lives.

Today, February 27, 2009 at 12:00 PM EST, those unable to attend a protest will be able to connect through Twitter.

Here in Houston the Tea Party will be at Fondren Green at Discovery Green Park. It will be staged right in front of the Amphitheatre. A strong turnout is expected. All are encouraged to bring a lunch, a sign to hold and enjoy the gathering. A modern day version of the Boston Tea Party.

Remember, dissent is patriotic.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released a statement after the president's recent address to a joint session of Congress: "After last year's State of the Union, then-candidate Barack Obama asked the nation to imagine a time when a President's agenda would draw standing ovations from both sides of the aisle. That sort of bipartisanship is an admirable goal--one that unfortunately continues to elude Washington. The Democratic leadership in Congress must be willing to work with Republican to stop out-of-control spending, promote the creation of jobs, and to keep our troops properly funded."

"I am more confident than ever that the American people will stand up for the principles our nation was founded on and will hold their representatives accountable to overcome the challenges that his nation faces."

Nationwide Chicago Tea Party.