Westport Tea Asks "Where Does the Money Go?"

Westport Tea, a new organization, says citizens are steeped in too many taxes and wants the spending to stop. 

"Our main focus is taxes at all levels of government," said Ed Whitney, one of the group's directors. "We look at federal taxes, at where government is spending money."

The organization, which considers itself educational rather than political, met at the Westport Library Thursday night to divine how to curb federal spending. But the session, billed as "Where the Money Goes" had some in the audience wondering where the night went.

About 18 people attended, hoping to discuss and debate the federal deficit. There was neither discussion nor debate.

"I still can't get over that he said we were going to have a discussion. What was the point of coming here? He wasn't inspiring at all," said Westport resident Channe Fodeman who attended with her husband Les. "We all know we have a problem, but where do we go from here?"

Fodeman said she was baffled by Whitney's hour-long presentation that became a soliloquy of sorts. Whitney espoused his personal belief that every federal agency is unconstitutional, including the CIA.

"I'm particularly unhappy with the Central Intelligence Agency," Whitney said. "They did a lot of things they didn't tell us. It's a massive criminal organization, ladies and gentlemen."

The group, not to be confused with the Westport Tea Party or the national Tea Party movement may change its name. There are 90 members, said Whitney. They value, fiscal responsibility, limited government and capitalism.

Whitney discussed the $1.4 trillion deficit and the growing size of federal government. He encouraged the audience to re-gain control of how the government works.

"You thought the federal government was the boss. No, no, no," said Whitney. "You are the boss my friends – you are. The president is your servant and I hope you never lose sight of that."

When one attendee inquired about his background, Whitney remained vague. He said he formerly worked in insurance and now researches government spending and international organizations.

Whitney said most group members feel disenfranchised from the federal and state government.

"I see America like the Titanic, traveling full steam ahead, heading toward a huge unseen iceberg," Whitney said. "We need to change course pretty fast."

Whitney suggested that people should vote the majority of congressmen out of office. He also suggested eliminating "various phony wars" such as the War on Poverty, the War on Terrorism and the War on Drugs. 

A Westport Tea press release said most of its members don't vote in every off-year election and most normally never protest.

"We don't even know people's political parties. I suspect there are more conservatives then liberals," said Whitney. "

While the Fodemans describe themselves as conservatives, they both said they are trying to learn as much as possible about the different candidates.Channe Fodeman said she stood outside the Stamford Marriott today to protest both President Barack Obama and Senate hopeful Richard Blumenthal.

"I feel very strongly we are on the wrong path," Fodeman said, "but I don't want to be just a complainer. I want to learn what to do."