Iowa Tea Partier: main priority is for Congress to “turn back to God”

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/15/i-hope-obamas-a-one-termer-iowa-farmer-says-at-tea-party/

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The crowd isn’t all that diverse when it comes to color – they are predominantly white. There are a few children, a few teens and a few 20-somethings, but most appear to be in their 40s, 50s, 60s or older.

The crowd is relaxed and peaceful, but some admit to feeling deep angst about their government.

“I hope Obama’s a one-termer – or less,” said Robert Cochran, 74, a small farmer from Lennox.

Cecil Stinemetz, 55, of Urbandale, said he agrees that he’s ready to be “out from under” some of our politicians. But it’s a long-timer that bothers him most.

“I’m a lifelong Republican and I’m ready to see Grassley go,” said Stinemetz, who works at a gas company. “We get pepole entrenched. They’ve been in too long, they get the power, they get the money, they get the corruption. I’m not saying Grassley corrupt, but I think we have other people that can represent us.”

Mindy Knapp, a mother of six from Urbandale who homeschools, said her main priority is for Congress to “turn back to God.”

Business owner Tom Hamilton, 45, of Clive, said he wants Congress to “enact a balanced budget amendment.”

Health care is the No. 1 issue for unemployed nurse Clarissa Rietveld, 24, of Knoxville. “Repeal the bill they just passed,” she said.

Tom Samp, 61, of Eldora, held up a sign with a new interpretation for the acronym TEA: “Taxed, Enough, Already.”

Samp imports piglets from Canada to be raised as American pigs, but government regulation causes him headaches.

“Basically, they need to get out of our way and let us do our own thing,” he said.