PLATTSBURGH —Thomas Jefferson once said all tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

To let their voices be heard, more than 150 people united Saturday morning in opposition to government spending and taxation.

"This is an important issue to all of us," said Jonathan Nelson, who co-organized the second local Tea Party protest at Trinity Park in Plattsburgh.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the nation's $11.5 trillion deficit "grows every day at our expense."

He recalled the personal sacrifices made by the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence to help free the nation from British tyranny and that their sacred actions and founding intentions are often forgotten in the shuffle of politics.

Kasprzak said change can only be brought by the voters, whom he urged to get involved and remember the current state and federal dysfunction when it comes time for the 2010 elections.

"How do we change that? It's a start today," he told the audience as members nodded and clapped in agreement.

"I think it's time we take a stand for what's right for all of us no matter the party."

Rouses Point businessman Mark Barie said, "Your simple presence here today sends a message "¦ a message that has been forgotten "¦

"That we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"Our liberties, our lives and our pursuit of happiness are threatened and in serious trouble."

He said the public must wage a political battle and "say no" to increased taxes and unnecessary spending.

Barie said legislators need to listen to the taxpayers and "ignore lobbyists."

"This type of spending has to stop. We will no longer tolerate business as usual," he said as dozens of American flags drifted in the breeze and the crowd cheered in support.

His son, Oliver Barie, who helped co-organize the event to coincide with similar protests across the nation, said, "We will no longer just sit by and watch as the government taxes anything that moves.

"We cannot and will not remain silent."

Peru resident Fred Hoffman said voters need to scrutinize all political candidates.

"If you want to get involved it has to be grass roots.

"You can't just listen to what they're telling you. You have to get involved."

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com