CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Thousands of Nevadans in Carson City
and Las Vegas rallied Wednesday as part of nationwide tax day "tea
parties," joining demonstrators across the country in expressing
frustration and demanding fiscal responsibility from government.

An estimated 2,000 sign-waving demonstrators rallied outside the Nevada Legislature, cheering and waving flags as Republican U.S. Rep. Dean Heller criticized federal deficit spending, saying, "It's amazing what we're doing to the children and grandchildren of our country."

The crowd included a 5-year-old boy holding a sign that read, "My share of the national debt is $36,500." Some wore cowboy hats with tea bags dangling from them.

In Las Vegas, county spokeswoman Jennifer Knight said an estimated 500 people showed up at Sunset Park for a rally and to wave signs at cars passing by at a busy intersection.

"We are an overtaxed society," said Bruce Cowan, a 42-year-old small business owner from the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.

Holding a sign that said "Legalize Capitalism," Cowan said he believes that payroll taxes and other tax policies are driving businesses out of the United States.

"We are making ourselves less competitive," Cowan said. "It's terrible because you're turning away economic opportunity and you're diminishing wealth for the entire society by socialist policies."

At a sidewalk outside a nearby post office, 68-year-old Carmen Rhoda stood with more than 30 protesters. She held a sign that read: "Born Free, Taxed to Death."

Rhoda said she felt that the country was moving away from capitalism under President Barack Obama's leadership.

"I just feel that it's time that the American people start putting a stop toward this big rush into socialism," Rhoda said. "I don't believe in spreading the wealth."

Many protesters were critical of the recent federal spending advocated by Obama. Some in Carson City hawked "NOBAMA" pins for $5 a piece.

Organizers there delivered a petition to elected officials urging them to oppose bills that contain unfunded mandates. Several in the crowd said that if they have to live within a budget, the government should too.

Unlike the federal government, the state is required to balance its budget. That's forced Gov. Jim Gibbons and state lawmakers to consider dramatic cuts to education and tax increases as tax revenues have fallen during the recession.

Asked how the Legislature should respond to the $3 billion budget hole, Heller said it was up to state legislators to set their spending priorities.

"You cannot tax yourself into prosperity," Assemblyman Ty Cobb, R-Reno, told the Carson City crowd. "A lot of people inside this building don't understand that."

Rhoda, a retired Clark County employee, said Wednesday was her first time protesting but likely not her last.

"This is the sentiments of millions of people across the United States, and I don't think they're going to see the last of us," she said. "We're going to keep protesting until something is done."
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Associated Press writer Oskar Garcia in Las Vegas contributed to
this report.