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Barry Loudermilk Lied. The Marietta Daily Journal Left It Unchecked.

  • woodstockcan
  • Aug 31
  • 3 min read

Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s speech to the Marietta Business Association — and the Marietta Daily Journal’s uncritical coverage — left a trail of misinformation. Here’s what he claimed, and here’s the truth.





1) “Protesters are often paid.”



False. There is no credible evidence that protesters — especially grassroots groups like Indivisible Woodstock CAN or Indivisible Cobb — are paid. We’re volunteers: parents, teachers, workers, retirees — showing up because we care.


Independent fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked this conspiracy theory. This summer’s viral “Craigslist hiring protesters” story was a prank, not proof of paid protesters.


At Indivisible Woodstock CAN, we’re always asking people to show us this supposed evidence of protesters being paid — because if there is any payment going around, we sure as fuck could use it. So if anyone out there has proof of checks being handed out to grassroots volunteers, please let us know so we can finally get our piece of the pie.


If Loudermilk has “seen” people being paid, he should name names and show evidence. Otherwise, he’s lying — or projecting.







2) “He hasn’t had town halls in a very long time.”



True. Loudermilk has publicly said he has no plans for traditional, open town halls, preferring small, tightly controlled events. That’s why some protesters said they don’t know what he looks like: many constituents have never seen him in person because he avoids open forums.







3) “General welfare means limited government.”



False / Misleading. The Constitution’s Spending/General Welfare Clause authorizes broad federal action. Modern constitutional analysis and case law (e.g., South Dakota v. Dole) recognize Congress’s power to tax and spend for the general welfare; Loudermilk’s minimalist reading is ideology, not prevailing law.







4) “Trump has been more policy-focused in his second term.”



Misleading. The thrust of what Loudermilk is selling isn’t ordinary “policy focus”—it’s alignment with Project 2025: purging career civil servants, consolidating presidential control, and bending agencies to the White House’s priorities. Early actions in 2025 mirror Project 2025 proposals.







5) “Trump tariffs and regulatory rollbacks are ushering in a golden era.”



Misleading. In 2025, the administration imposed a 10% baseline tariff on virtually all imports, plus additional country/product duties. Independent economic modeling shows these tariffs raise prices and slow growth, with retaliation worsening losses. Georgia’s farm economy — including pecans — remains exposed.


Deregulatory moves this year include targeting the EPA greenhouse-gas endangerment finding, reversing climate rules, and undercutting labor and clean-energy policy — shifts that benefit corporate interests while adding uncertainty and costs for workers, consumers, and small businesses.




(Note: On Aug. 30, 2025, a federal appeals court ruled against the administration’s sweeping tariffs, delaying enforcement until Oct. 14 while appeals proceed — underscoring the legal and economic instability of this approach.)







6) “Protesters asked what he looks like.”



Distorted. Some protesters did say they didn’t know what Loudermilk looks like — not out of ignorance, but because he refuses to hold open town halls unless he can vet who gets in. Many constituents have never seen him in person for that reason. One supporter even paid $25 to attend the luncheon but judged it more valuable to stand outside with neighbors demanding answers than to sit silently through another scripted event inside.





Our Protest in Marietta: What Actually Happened



Our protest at Barry Loudermilk’s luncheon in Marietta was a success.


We stood on public sidewalks, exercised our First Amendment rights, and made sure Barry couldn’t hide. Word got back to us that we “annoyed the heck out of him.” Good. That means he felt our presence.


What’s the point of “annoying” him? Accountability. Loudermilk avoids town halls and dodges constituents. Showing up raises the cost of his avoidance and tells the community that people are watching, speaking out, and demanding better.


The Foxglove’s owner came out screaming, told us to leave, and threatened to call the police. We reminded her — politely — that we were on public sidewalks. She called anyway, wasting tax dollars. Police showed up, saw a peaceful protest, and didn’t even speak to us.


Bottom line: Barry Loudermilk avoids his constituents, and the Foxglove’s owner tried to shut down free speech. Neither worked. We showed up. We stood our ground. And Barry heard from the people he keeps dodging.

 
 
 

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