Published Friday, July 17, 2009

Tea Party protests today over health care proposals

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Newnan Times-Herald

The Tea Party movement continues today with "health care freedom parties" being held outside the offices of senators and congressmen all over the nation.

In Coweta, plans include a mini-tea party outside the office of Congressman Lynn Westmoreland. It will be from noon to 1 p.m. at Westmoreland's district office, located in the White Oak Professional Center on Highway 34 East.

"Our focus is on nationalized health care, and expressing that we do not want a nationalized health care system," said Wendy Bloedt, local coordinator for the newly-renamed Southern Crescent Tea Party Patriots.

For legislators who have come out against the plans for "health care reform," such as Westmoreland, "it is also an opportunity for us to go out and thank them for listening and voting the way their constituents" want them to vote, Bloedt said.

Bloedt also plans to present Westmoreland's staff with a copy of the Constitution, and the pledge signed by people at the July 4 tea party event in Peachtree City. Attendees pledged they would read the Constitution in its entirety.

A town hall meeting on health care reform had been set for Saturday in Peachtree City, but it's been postponed, Bloedt said. It will now be held on Aug. 17 -- the time and location have not been determined.

Bloedt and tea party organizers in Henry and Clayton counties have joined with the Peachtree City Tea Party Patriots to form the Southern Crescent group.

The group is sponsoring a "making of America" seminar Aug. 29 in Fayetteville. The day-long seminar will take participants through the Constitution section by section, Bloedt said. Cost is $25 and includes lunch.

"This organization is not just about tea parties," Bloedt said. "One of our main goals is to educate the public about things that are happening politically in the U.S. right now, and informing people about the Constitution and what it means."

For more information, visit www.ptcteapartypatriots.org , or e-mail wbloedt@hotmail.com .