'Patriots' decry taxes, bailout

The American government is spiraling toward all-out tyranny, bent on enslaving the public, betraying the ideals of the founding fathers and spreading the tentacles of "fascist socialism" into policy and public life.

"The hourglass is running out," conservative activist David Justice warned from the band shell at Acacia Park, after raising his voice to ear-splitting volumes and bellowing "Freedom!" in the manner of actor Mel Gibson from the movie "Braveheart."

To one observer at the "Re-Declaration of Independence" in downtown Colorado Springs on Saturday afternoon, Justice wasn't trading in anger or paranoia.

He was rising to the occasion.

"Silence just gives it approval to continue," said Dwan Rager. "I see people here as impassioned - more frustrated than angry."

Rager, a nurse who lives in Colorado Springs, joined a chorus of voices in the crowd of 100 who said they voted Republican last November but did so with little passion.

In their view, the nation's conservative party has strayed from its Northern Star, and Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain failed to address what they framed as the growing intensity of Washington's attack on the Constitution.

Such sentiment has resulted in rallies nationwide as conservatives seek to reinvigorate their political base and formulate an effective plan to turn back the liberal tide.

Like the Tea Parties held to protest tax day, the Re-Declaration of Independence rally was meant to harness unrest and help shape to successful political alternative, organizers said.

It was hosted by the 9-12 Pikes Peak Patriots, a group taking its name from Fox News and radio talk show host Glen Beck's exhortation that the country return to the unity it felt after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Although billed as a non-partisan event, the two-hour rally featured two speakers who are seeking public office as Republicans. One of them, U.S. Senate-hopeful and Denver businessman Cleve Tidwell, blasted the Obama administration throughout his address.

Others echoed fears that taxes are getting too high, the government is growing too intrusive and the nation's public schools and universities have devolved into propaganda mills where the religious must fight for a voice.

Paul Reifke, a retired Marine with 22 years of service, believes that Americans are less free and less affluent than they used to be, even as the Democratic president and his colleagues plot a course toward "socialism." 

Yet he believes that Republicans, too, have gone "off-track."

"I blame the clowns in Washington," he said. "It doesn't matter which party they're from."

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