(WHAS11) - The battle over healthcare reform continues to rage across the country.? Thousands turned out in Louisville Saturday to rally against the Obama administration.
Event organizers tell us that about 3000 people showed up to this rally in Central Park.
They call it a "Tea Party" in honor of the original critics of big government.
And while they support many right wing issues, the issue overwhelmingly on people's minds today was healthcare.
The crowds, the flags, the signs and even the people dressed up as former presidents were all out for the same reason; to rally against big government.
And while everyone here supports a decrease in government control, the #1 issue on people's minds is healthcare.
"I think the cap and trade bill started the fire and now gasoline is being poured on it from the healthcare bill," said Wendy Caswell, Organizer of Tea Party Rally.
Tony Kueber says he sees that first-hand.
He gives out signs at local right-wing events and says the number of people showing up continues to grow and so does their passion for their beliefs.
"If the only way we can retain our freedom and liberty, in a Republic, not in a democracy a Republic, is by violence, then let's have it, let's get it on," said Kueber.
While some shared their feelings on signs, others chose to send a more permanent message
"I'm proud.? I'm proud there are so many folks who care as much as I do about our posterity," said Darrel Hubertz, displaying his prominent tattoo.
It's that message that continues to resonate in people of every generation and a message that continues to ignite fears in the debate over healthcare.
"I want to go to college and I want to go into forensics and I'm afraid that America is going to go bankrupt and I'm not going to be able to do it and bad things are going to happen, I'm afraid of all that," said Olivia Hertog.
Lucienne Pitcher was worried about losing Medicare coverage, "I resent that they're going to take from me, after I worked for 30 years, contract after contract to have descent medical when I retired and I just go to use it one year and now it's going to be gone."
It's a nationwide issue that has people raising their voices all over the country but at least for one day, it's raised the voices of thousands right here in Louisville.
The Tea Party Express bus is traveling across the country.
The next stop is in Bloomington, Indiana Sunday.
From there they will continue their trek towards Washington D.C. where they will be holding a two week rally.
