On April 15, more than 2,000 Tea Parties were held across the country, many with thousands in attendance. These weren’t dainty luncheon ceremonies. They were protests, named after our revolutionary Boston Tea Party.

In Washington, D.C., it rained like the dickens, but people still came out to say “Enough.” Regular folks sounded off. They work hard, and they’ve had enough of paying the bills for politicians and favored political interests.

Some big media personalities and major political figures showed up. Governor Rick Perry of Texas spoke at the Austin, Texas event. He’s called the federal government “oppressive.” In South Carolina, Governor Mark Sanford told folks that “Real change begins in the hearts and minds of people who are willing to stand . . . against an ever-encroaching government.”

Meanwhile, much of television news media behaved badly, trying to marginalize or even demonize the protests as “anti-government.” CNN correspondent Susan Roesgen was particularly argumentative, suggesting to one guy that he should be grateful for the $50 billion President Obama was sending to his state.

When a woman protester accused Roesgen of slanted coverage, she asked the woman why she was there. “We’re here,” the woman responded, “because we are sick and tired of the government taking our money and spending it in ways that we have no say in. We have no say whatsoever.”

And that’s what has to change. The people must be heard. Not just on one day, but every day.

This is Common sense. I’m Paul Jacob.

Safe for now!

That’s the latest word from Lincoln Square, a commercial block in Chicago that was being targeted for takeover.

This summer, the Chicago Community Development Commission authorized an eminent-domain grab of 36 businesses, whose property would be turned over to an unnamed developer. The owners weren’t happy about having their property grabbed for the sake of installing a more lucrative tax base. But folks at the Institute for Justice, the Sam Adams Alliance, and many local activists also raised Cain about the city’s action. A group called Save Lincoln Square was created to organize opposition.

The activism culminated on December 5. Concerned citizens met up at Chicago Soccer, one of the shops that would have been kicked out by the taking.

A community meeting turned into a rally. The protesters marched nine blocks to the office of Alderman Gene Schulter, one of the leaders of the eminent domain plot, to demand an accounting. Schulter announced he would not vote for the eminent-domain proposal and would introduce a new plan. To take most of the businesses of Lincoln Square off the eminent-domain list and put them on a “voluntary acquisition” list instead. Heck, the eminent-domain thing was just an idea, Schulter told the press.

This seems more a holding action than a permanent victory. But you win wars by winning battles. And Lincoln Square has won a battle here.

Safe — for now.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.