Those who prefer their politics left of center are eager to engage the party line sound bites to demonize and assault honest, hardworking patriots who don't fall in lock step with the Obama "share the wealth" agenda. Even on this board we have been called greedy, selfish, the party of "No", and worse. I can't speak for the vast number of Americans who don't like the way the medical/health reform push is being rushed and crammed down the collective throats of the taxpayers but, I have attended a tea party protest and spoke with a lot of salt of the earth American taxpayers.

Not one, I repeat, not one said that they didn't want to see medical/health care reform. They supported reform but wanted to see it done with thoughtful insight...not haste, waste and pork. They wanted it done right. I spoke to Republicans, Democrats, minorities, union members, farmers and business executives who attended the protest and stood together in opposition to the bills being fast tracked in Washington. They were concerned about the truthfulness or lack thereof coming from Congressional leadership and the White House about the plans.

Many seniors were upset about the government raiding anywhere from $400 billion to $700 billion for the "reform" on the backs of the Medicare they depend on. All the pieces fit to paint a picture of cutting care, treatments, and budgets for Medicare seniors, while encouraging the inevitable in an efficient, cost effective, evilly conceived notion that medical care capital is better spent on the young. Of course, the near bankrupt Social Security system would also benefit by the early demise of the elderly and infirmed. Obama in his encounter with Joe the Plumber admitted he advocated transferring the wealth from the rich to the poor. By extension, it appears he is a strong advocate of transferring the health from the old to the young as well. What a cold, mercenary concept.

There were over 3,000 "tea *******" in Toms River, N.J. when we attended. They were asked to raise their hands if this was the first protest anyone had attended. Astonishingly, well over 90% raised their hands. I spoke to one of the "roadie" support staff about the nationwide tour now appearing in Toms River. The bus would be in Washington the next day. They had crossed the country and he told me the response had been the same everywhere they went. There were no racists, no agitators and no unruly conduct. The signage was bountiful, but with one exception, proper and respectful. The people I met and observed were not greedy, selfish or radical.

I chatted with a soft spoken, elderly farmer's wife. She acknowledged why she came almost 100 miles to be at the tea party. Quietly, with a hint of apology in her voice, she told me it was her fault because she wasn't paying enough attention when she voted for Obama. Her husband agreed.