Radio host to attend tea party event in Wichita | The Wichita Eagle

"American Warning" radio talk show host David Robertson will be the headliner when tea party supporters take to the street for their tax day rally Thursday.

Robertson will be joined by a full bill of speakers including state Rep. Aaron Jack, R-Andover, who will talk about efforts to force Attorney General Steve Six to sue the federal government over national health care; and Rep. Phil Hermanson, R-Wichita, who will discuss state politics.

Supporters of the tea party — a movement based on opposition to taxes, national health care and what they say is an over-reaching Obama administration — have held several gatherings around the city since their first big rally at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport a year ago.

This time, there may be a counterdemonstration by a group called Coffee Party USA.

Nancy Snyder, an organizer of the fledgling group, said members may hold a smaller demonstration of their own east of the Sedgwick County Courthouse, while the tea partiers rally just south of the building.

She said the group's main message is that in a democracy, "we have to be able to work together and compromise. ... We do not feel government is the enemy."

She also said the tea party movement's anti-tax stance is unrealistic.

"We also believe we have to pay our bills," Snyder said. "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society."

The tea party group will meet on Central, between the courthouse and Wichita City Hall, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

"We're paying $750 to have the traffic rerouted and do it right," said Lynda Tyler, leader of the group Kansans for Liberty, which is organizing the event.

Among the tea party's objections at the local level are the millions of dollars in public money that have gone to developer incentives.

"Hopefully the people in that building (City Hall) will listen to us," said Tyler, who is planning to run for City Council.

"We decided to set up in front of the city building because we thought the shower of money being thrown out of the building might attract an audience," she said.

Tyler, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the tea party, said she doesn't mind the Coffee Party showing up.

In fact, she said, they could even take a turn on the tea party's microphone if they want.

"Left and right need to hear what each other are saying," she said.

The currently scheduled tea party speakers are all from the right side of the political spectrum.

Robertson's Web site describes his radio show as "a provocative, hard hitting critical assessment of the issues, events, forces, politics, pressures and controversy of key players that are currently shaping our future into what is sure to be the fall of these great United States of America."

His show airs on about a dozen radio stations around the country, including Minneapolis, Minn., and Omaha. His program is not broadcast in Wichita but can be accessed through the Internet.

Other scheduled speakers at the tea party event:

* Dan Stockemer, former Sedgwick County Republican Party chairman, speaking on getting involved through GOP Pachyderm Clubs

* The Rev. Peggy Elliott, an opponent of abortion and freemasonry who will speak on culture wars

* Anne Chandler, Kansas Policy Institute

* Craig Harms, Young Republicans

* Craig Gabel, a restaurant owner speaking on local politics

* Susan Ducey, a nurse who ran for president and is now a congressional candidate, who will be speaking on freedom

* Laurie Skipper, representing American Majority

* George Watson, a doctor, discussing legal action filed against national health care law

* Joseph Ashby of Americans for Prosperity, speaking on state finances

* Kenny Estes, a lawyer, speaking on "the ability to say no."