Sisters man's shoot draws crowd

Thomas Jefferson said in a speech, "Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors."

Benjamin Franklin said: "In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people are their superiors and sovereigns."

Do the people feel their government is listening to them?

Nearly 300 people gathered in Redmond on Sunday, August 23, to address that very question. They were there for a photo shoot choreographed by Sisters photographer Richard Esterman. He asked people to bring signs which all said "Listen to the People" to send a message to Congress, The White House and the Senate.

He plans to mail pictures from the shoot. Copies of the photos will also be posted on his Web site http://www.richardesterman.com.

"No speeches. It's just a photo shoot," he said.

Locals came from as far away as Madras and Sisters, gathering quietly, waiting to be posed.

"We even got some people from Texas and Florida who heard about the event on the radio," Esterman said.

The Nugget asked people on what issues they wanted to be heard.

Several people expressed concerns that the government was steering away from the republic established by our forefathers.

"We absolutely agree with the message," said early arrivals Gary and Nancy Austin. "The majority of people do not want more government. We want less. We don't want socialized health care. We want more freedom."

"I do not want to emulate Canada or Great Britain, or any countries who have tried it," Nancy continued regarding health care. "We have a great system. It's the illegal immigrants who have abused and over-used the system without paying for it. It's one of the reasons California is bankrupt."

Many people voiced opinions about honoring our Constitution.

"I'm here to voice my protest to Washington, D.C.," said Lenora Stewart of Crooked River Ranch, "and have them listen to us about health care, cap and trade, TARP, or spending too much money. We are not socialists. We are a republic and capitalists."

Linda and Dennis Tribbey spoke out.

"The government is not following the constitution. It's called usurping your power," Linda said.

Nic Anthony, a member of the Bend "Tea Party," came in costume dressed as a 1770s minuteman.

"I'm here as a conservative concerned about the way the government is spending money," he said. "I feel we should be led as we have been for the last 200 years, following rules set out by the Constitution of the United States."

Anthony is a direct descendant of William Hooper, representative from North Carolina and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Anthony spoke with pride about his ancestor: "Hooper was one of the two guys who spotted the hidden tea tax and was the first one to write about the colonies pulling away from the British."

Esterman stood on a platform shooting pictures. Nearly 300 people started softly singing "God Bless America."