Candidate Josh First participates in April 15
Tea Party rally in Harrisburg

On April 15th, Josh First participated at the Tea Party rally held at the Crooked Hill Post Office, as hard-working taxpayers drove through in an unbroken line, dropping off their tax day IRS reports at the publicly-owned facility.

"It was a gently spirited, peaceful, patriotic, respectful rally and protest against high taxes and a government run by both Democrats and Republicans that is out of touch with our citizens' needs and financial limits," said First.

"I met people from across central Pennsylvania. They were normal, middle-class Americans, one farmer, lots of small-business owners, and many had a strong sense of humor, dispensing sarcastic and ironic political wit and commentary as they waved their 'Don't Tread on Me' flags and hoisted their protest signs high. Most of the participants I spoke to said they are registered as, and remain philosophically, political Independents. Neither major political party has their allegiance, nor does any established set of political beliefs. They are frustrated, disheartened, and enthusiastically determined about returning American government to its basic role and the Constitution as the sole determinant in all things governmental, which will reduce expenses and taxes. They quietly, firmly, blame both political parties for abandoning American principles that stood the nation well in good times and bad, as politicians have increasingly spent more and more to increase their likelihood of being re-elected."

"People of all colors and walks of life asked for literature that was being handed out by different activists, and we received supportive horn-honks from motorcycles, sedans, drivers of at least two Toyota Priuses that I saw, as well as pickup trucks," said First.

"Interestingly, only one news organization covered the event, Harrisburg's Channel 21 TV station, whose reporter interviewed me and other participants. No reporters from the Patriot News were interested, even though this event was staged in the heart of that paper's service territory. That's a sad statement about the political inclinations of most of the press."

"Activist Susan Emrich from Lebanon County participated, and as a last-minute, first-time candidate for the Republican State Committee, she was about as politically organized as it got. All in all, it was a true grass-roots, organic, peaceful citizen-led rally against high taxes, out-of-control government spending, and out-of-touch elected officials. I was proud to participate," concluded First.