[ilbegone]

Tea Party Express zips through Bakersfield

THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Oct 26 2009

A Tea Party rally in Bakersfield Monday drew about 150 people charged up by opposition to socialism, taxes, government-run health care and Democrats Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barbara Boxer.

Ray Livingston, 66, drove all the way from the Antelope Valley to attend the 9 a.m. event at Heritage Park on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Livingston said he hasn't previously been much interested in politics.

"I joined an anti-illegal alien group six years ago," he said.

Inspired by the Tea Party movement that sprang to prominence last April, Livingston said he's making up for lost time by learning about politicians and reading the U.S. Constitution.

Monday's stop in Bakersfield marked the second day of a national tour called the "Tea Party Express II: Countdown to Judgment Day." Speakers and musicians addressed the group while vendors sold T-shirts, buttons, flags, books and bumper stickers. A pair of buses -- one red, one blue -- is carrying participants to 38 cities in 19 days, from San Diego to Washington State, Montana to Florida.

Bakersfield grandmother Doris Roderick, 62, said she's concerned about how the national debt will impact her six grandkids.

"I'm worried about the taxes they already owe," she said.