LANSING, Mich. — Thousands of people descended on the Michigan Capitol earlier today as part of a national movement of “tea parties” to protest high taxes and what they argue is an encroachment of socialism into American government and society.

Addressing the rally was Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, commonly known as “Joe the Plumber,” who became a household name during the 2008 presidential race when Republican presidential candidate John McCain referred to the Ohio resident as “Joe the Plumber,” and used him as a walking metaphor for the American middle class.

“I’m here for one reason and one reason only: It’s ‘I love America,’” Wurzelbacher told the crowd. “Mainstream media wants to paint us as a bunch of extremists, right? We’re in search of liberty and our freedoms. What’s so extreme about that?”

“I’m just regurgitating,” Wurzelbacher said. “I believe in common sense.”

Wurzelbacher went on to lambaste what he said was a rising tide of “socialism” across the country and laid the blame on the U.S. government.

“Let me give you another extremist view, ‘In God We Trust,’” he said to wild applause. “Say that too loud in some parts of America and you will be shot. It’s terrible.”

Hoisting signs with slogans like “Hitler gave speeches too,” “I am only 4 and I am in debt,” and “Revolution or death,” the crowd filled the lawn of the Capitol and listened to other speakers like Scott Hagerstrom of Americans for Prosperity of Michigan; Leon Drolet of the Michigan Taxpayers’ Alliance; and Wendy Day of the Howell school board.

“Take out your cell phones, we’re going to make a call,” Drolet told the crowd. “I’m going to give you a phone number, then we are all going to hit send at the same time.”

Drolet had the crowd call the congressional switchboard, which he said would be flooded by the calls. Then he had the crowd chant: “Are you crazy? Wasting Money? People are suffering? Cut your spending!” Hundreds of cell phones were in the air.

“Let this be just the beginning of a movement. Today they heard us, but we need them to feel us,” Drolet said. “And they feel us when you make a difference in the field of the political arena. When some of the politicians lose their jobs. A recession is when your neighbor losses their job. A depression is when you lose your job and a recovery is when a politician loses their job.”

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A selection of signs from the rally:

Former State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R-Texas Corners) listens intently to speakers on the steps of the Capitol.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton listens contemplatively to speakers while standing on the steps of the state Capitol.

Crowd participants dial the congressional switchboard to send a message to Congress about taxes.

"Let your gun be your constant companion"

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Todd Heywood is a reporter for TWI’s sister site, The Michigan Messenger.

Remember: Fox News reported on these rallies. It didn’t promote them!

This was a popular theme, along with references to images of President Obama’s bow to the King of Saudi Arabia.

Another talk radio trope that made many appearances.

For some reason this woman brushed off reporters and photographers, which means we may never learn where the president was really born.

Lots of kids handled signs, although the best use of the young was:

Clarissa Knox, and her as-yet-unborn baby.

This grassroots protest mysteriously attracted a number of conservative pundits. Here’s Steve Moore, a Wall Street Journal op-ed page editor who appears on CNBC and Fox.

Radio host and Fox News pundit Laura Ingraham, who at one point drew a bigger crowd than the speakers on the stage at the other side of the park.

One of Fox’s frequent business commentators.

Griff Jenkins does interviews for Fox News, which did not promote these protests.

Did you know “Obama” rhymes with the first name of the 9/11 mastermind? It’s true!

A surprisingly rare teabag sighting.

Godwin in full effect.

Some promotion for Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-Pa.) primary opponent.

Some New Deal revisionism.

Her tax dollars pay for illegal immigration.

A nice combo of Birtherism and “In Living Color” references.

And we close with Ayn Rand.

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A brave quartet then sang three songs to do our country proud. First up, the national anthem:

Next, “America, the Beautiful,” which has never been so beautiful:

And finally, “God Bless America”:

Next came a speech to get people riled up, particularly the Democrats in the crowd. All one of them:

But my short attention span caused me to lose interest in the speaker and focus on a true patriot in the audience:

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