Thousands of downtown D.C. protesters blast Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tens of thousands of protesters fed up with government spending marched to the U.S. Capitol, showing their disdain for the president’s health-care plan with slogans such as “Obamacare makes me sick” and “I’m not your ATM.”

The line of protesters today clogged several blocks near capitol, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Demonstrators chanted “enough, enough” and “We the People.” Others yelled “You lie, you lie!” and “Pelosi has to go,” referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Throngs of people waved U.S. flags and held signs reading “Go Green Recycle Congress” and “I’m Not Your ATM.” Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of “judgment day” — Election Day 2010.

Other signs — reflecting the growing intensity of the health care debate — depicted President Barack Obama with the signature mustache of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Many made reference to Obama as a socialist or communist, and another imposed his face on that of the villainous Joker from “Batman.”

Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and former Teamster, came from Paw Paw, Mich. He said health care needs to be reformed - but not according to Obama’s plan.

“My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It’s going to cost too much money that we don’t have,” he said while marching, bracing himself with a wooden cane as he walked.