Protester: Americans are 'overtaxed'

Libertarians hold 'Tax Day' protests at area post offices

By Jennifer Davis of the Journal Star

Tuesday, April 16, 2002

It didn't rise to the level of the Boston Tea Party as far as taxpayer revolts go, but Monday's "Tax Day" protest had its own simple charm.

Armed with red, white and blue signs with messages such as "Taxes Suck," local Libertarians marked the "infamous day every year when state and federal income taxes are due."

"We are overtaxed. The government is spending too much. I could go on and on," said Jeffrey Trigg, secretary of the Libertarian Party of Illinois, who helped organize the group of protesters at Peoria post offices and, briefly, at University Street and War Memorial Drive.

Trigg hoped the protesters could last until midnight, the deadline for income taxes to be postmarked, and inspire last-minute filers to join them.

"We are the only party fighting against taxes," said Jim Tobin, the Libertarian's candidtae for lieutenant governor. "There's no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats on taxes. There's only one party in Springfield, the power party."

Tobin and Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Steve Burgauer of Peoria both spoke briefly at a news conference at the Gateway Building to help kick off the protest event.

"I have two kids, one wife, a dog and a mortgage," Burgauer said. "And, like you, my single biggest expense is the taxes I pay. Income taxes. Social Security taxes. Sales taxes. Real estate taxes. Once in a while, if I'm lucky, capital gains taxes. Then there are sanitary district taxes. Road upkeep taxes. You name it."

Burgauer, a stockbroker for 20 years, who now teaches finance at Eureka College, wants to cut income taxes to a maximum of 20 percent, except that the first $25,000 earned would be tax-free. He also supports phasing out Social Security taxes, but not the program itself. He believes it should remain a part of the government's budget, much as the Department of Defense is.

"The America I see has sharply lower taxes. It has a smaller, less intrusive national government," Burgauer said.

Tobin, president of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, criticized lawmakers and his opponents for considering raising taxes more rather than looking at cuts.

As part of his state spending plan, Tobin proposes eliminating several departments, including the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions, and the State Police.

Former state Rep. Cal Skiner Jr., R-Crystal Lake, is the Libertarian's candidate for governor. He did not attend.