The weather was frigid and snowy on April 15, but the fires of passion and faith glowed warm in the hearts of patriots. The tea party demonstration at the courthouse in Provo sent a message using only the three simple words, “We the people.” This comes as a reminder to all that have forgotten who is in charge of this country: the small businessman, the factory worker, and all hardworking taxpayers — in short, the American people.
The reasons for meeting on this cold, snowy day were as varied as the more than 500 citizens gathered there. One main message was a plea for the government (referring to the federal debt) to stop spending the childrens’ future, emphasized by a small boy carrying a sign that read, “I owe twelve trillion dollars.” Many people held signs that expressed the fear of socialism. David Kirkham, an automobile manufacturer, spoke about opening a factory in a post-Soviet country, and how terrified he was that this country is heading down the same road that he remembers with bitter aversion.
I looked around at the emotional faces of a group of war veterans carrying signs that read, “Don’t ruin the America that my friends died for.” Here was a generation of men, who many years ago stood together in the face of evil. They worked, fought and many died to ensure this country remained free. To see intense sorrow in their faces, with patriotic tears in their eyes, believing the sacrifice of their brothers and youth may have been in vain, jerked at my heart. Once again these brave men stood shoulder to shoulder on a new battlefield, joined by a new generation of young men and women all united by the same goal: not to let our nation be destroyed.
Jeff Jones, a concerned student, spoke to the crowd. His message maintained that if we stay true to our goal, we can get back to the America that we grew up to believe in. There was an awe-inspiring amount of youth in the crowd. Looking on with fearless faces, they knew that the fight to keep the American Dream alive would someday rest upon their shoulders. This is a daunting burden to befall anyone, but with steadfastness and inextinguishable hope, the youth stood ready and willing to accept their responsibility of carrying the torch.
Twelve-year-old Nicholas Kirkum delivered a stirring speech. He emphasized that if this country is to survive the hardships it has encountered, we must forget about being republican or democrat and unite as Americans.
I asked a veteran going by the name of “Simon Jester” what scared him the most about the way things are going. He paused only for a moment, and with sincerity and conviction replied “Nothing, because the pendulum will keep swinging. It always does, but the resilience and determination of the American people will always prevail. In the darkest times is when true courage and strength will emerge.”
This very idea is what has made America the great nation it is. It started with a group of brave men in July of 1776 who stood and together declared that they had had enough. What would Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Washington say? Would they have some profound advice to give? Or would they simply shake their heads in disgust at the chaotic circus our leaders have made of this great nation? In these turbulent times, we must remember that it is “we the people” that made this country great. With the American people’s unity, hard work and courage, it will with no doubt continue to be great.
