In his letter published January 13, Russ Mullaly asserts that the Tea Party protests are not grassroots because of the involvement of foundation funding, meaning that we protesters are somehow pawns of corporate interests.

I've attended several of these events and like my co-protesters was not paid to appear. Like my co-protesters I do not seek to maintain a status quo but rather to promote real reforms. Like my co-protesters I am not driven by ignorance but have taken time to read bills and study the issues. Like my co-protesters I do not call the other side names but try to tell the truth about the backroom deals and questionable accounting that characterize so-called health care reform. And like my co-protesters I pay taxes and want them to be well-spent.

Jim Wass, Riverdale

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