FORUM: Tea party turnout across the metro area

KSDK -- Loyal to their country but ready to revolt nonetheless.

About 35 people showed their opposition to what they call excessive government spending at a tea party in Highland, Illinois.

• Related story: Share your thoughts in a tea party forum

Organizer Elmo Johnson said the point of the rally was to let politicians know they are "tired of of the continued escalation of taxes".

Those on hand said they wanted the government to tax less and become smaller.

• Photo Gallery: Kiener Plaza tea party protest

The Highland tea party is one of three today in the St. Louis area.

In Eureka, more than 200 people turned to send a message to Washington, D.C., that federal spending is out of control.

The protesters signed a proclamation demanding, among other things, term limits for elected officials and a balanced budget. They then cut off the tags from tea bags and planned to mail it all to the White House.

That was the sentiment at hundreds of rallies around the country as thousands, supported by conservative groups, used April 15 to protest the spending of tax money on bailouts and stimulus plans.

And more than a thousand people descended on Kiener Plaza late Wednesday afternoon for yet another tea party protest. Some of the people said this was not only their first protest, but their first real political activity of any kind.

St. Louis Democratic Alderman Stephen Gregali said if the protestors were upset about spending, they should direct their anger at the deficits of the previous administration.