Never before have so many Americans been motivated enough to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to make their way to the nation’s capital and gather as one group to petition against big government spending.

Protests.  For decades, they have been the province of the political left.  Anti-war activists, pro-choice proponents and roving anti-capitalist bands have all had a virtual monopoly on one of the First Amendment’s most cherished rights, the right of assembly.

However, last Saturday, September 12, hundreds of thousands of taxpayers from all fifty states gathered in the aptly-named Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. to protest the excessive spending and big government programs being pushed and expanded upon by Congress and the President.  The protesters – everyday American taxpayers from all walks of life – weren’t just marching for or against the issue of the day.  Instead, they marched in unison to government’s growing infringement on individual freedom and economic liberty.

While health care is obviously the issue du jour, Saturday’s protesters were mostly motivated by the bigger picture, collectively speaking against higher taxes, higher spending, cap-and-trade and for an end to the constant taxpayer-funded bailouts, among other issues.  The experience was truly moving and those who attended knew they were making history.

Never before have so many Americans been motivated enough to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to make their way to the nation’s capital and gather as one group to petition against big government spending.  For decades, Americans seemed ambivalent over deficit spending, unless it resulted in higher taxes.  No longer.

Now, it is clear that taxpayers across the nation understand the ramifications of out-of-control spending and government debt.  No longer satisfied with simply expressing their displeasure at the ballot box, taxpayers have become a motivated constituency, one with a voice and growing political clout.

Unlike the special interests and well-heeled politicians on Capitol Hill, most taxpayers who attended the 9-12 rally, of which the Center for Individual Freedom was a co-sponsor, were ordinary blue-collar Americans, some of whom had neither the time nor the money to take off several days from work and board in an expensive hotel.

We met a couple who had traveled over 600 miles from Georgia to take part in the day’s events.  This was their first protest … ever.  They were never politically active in the past, but they wanted Washington to know how they felt and they wanted to participate in a historic event at a perilous time for individual liberty. 

The couple was not rich and they were not “paid off” by organizers of the event.  They drove through the night to avoid spending money on a hotel and they planned to drive home through the night once again.  They might have been outliers, but from walking around the crowd of tens-of-thousands who gathered on the sunny Saturday afternoon, the general impression was that most protestors were of modest means with impassionate spirits.

Some of the activists were doctors.  On President Obama’s health care plan, Dr. David Dunch, said, “It’s a mistake.  It’s going to result in ultimate rationing and limiting care to our elderly.  We need to open up the 50 states to all insurance plans.  We need tort reform.  We don’t have to trash the current system.” 

Dr. Dunch wasn’t the only physician who made the trek.  In all, there were more than 1,500 doctors who came to protest and speak with their representatives.  Some members of Congress listened, but others refused to hold a meeting with doctors and Congressional staff, even for five minutes.

As we emerge from the 9-12 rally, however, the message is that the people have spoken and now Washington must listen.  Early indications are that some in Washington are paying attention.  Moderate Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe from Maine now publically oppose any form of a “Public Option.”

With universal GOP opposition to government-run health care, the burden shifts to the Democrats to scrap the current plan and embrace bipartisan reform efforts.  The Republicans too must forcefully advance alternatives and seek to expand access, reduce costs and increase health care options for Americans, explaining clearly and honestly both the stakes and the tradeoffs.

If politicians don’t listen and heed the warnings of Saturday’s protestors, then they can be sure the energy and drive of taxpayers will only heighten leading up to Election Day in 2010.  As one speaker charged, “Hell hath no fury like a taxpayer ignored.”