Saturday, March 22, members of the Knoxville community gathered at the Cotton Eyed Joe, not to drink or dance but to support lower taxes.
In an event organized by Americans for Prosperity, dozens entered the club to see Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett advocate for a renewal of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed over eight years ago under Trump’s first presidency, but it is set to expire at the end of 2025. This would mean a return to previous tax rates, which the act temporarily lowered.
“I hope that folks understand how important codifying the tax cuts are,” Jacobs said. “If that does not go into law, Americans will experience the largest tax increase of our lifetime. So it is imperative that we fight to make sure that Congress codifies the Trump tax cuts.”
Chuck Green, a Knox County resident, was among the many who attended the rally. Green explained that he didn’t believe the government should tell people how to spend their money.
“Why should someone come and tell me what I have to do? I’m not telling them what they have to do,” Green said. “You believe your things, I believe mine. That’s why we have the freedoms we have. Let’s just get along, everybody.”
A group of protestors outside of the Americans for Prosperity's Protect Prosperity Rally at the Cotton Eyed Joe. Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Alongside the rally, protestors gathered across the street from the Cotton Eyed Joe with signs calling out Elon Musk and asserting that the tax cuts only benefit the rich.
Mayor Jacobs countered their protests by explaining that the tax cuts would, in fact, keep taxes lower for the rich and low for everybody. He also added that money the government takes is money taken out of the private sector, which affects business growth, job availability and worker paychecks.
Congressman Burchett was the main speaker of the afternoon. Peppered with political jokes about his co-workers and life on the Hill, Burchett pressed the need for everyday Americans to resist allowing lawmakers in Washington to take more of their money.
“You should never allow Washington the decision to do more of your money than they have already. They need to take less of it. And that’s what this is really all about. This fight is right now today, in here, at the Cotton Eyed Joe,” Burchett said.
Burchett also discussed the corruption he sees in D.C., what he’s been doing to fight it and how he’s continuing to advocate for everyday people.
“I have a bill dealing with stock trades. Now, everybody wants to rail on Pelosi,” Burchett said. “But, dadgum, she’s not even in the top 10 folks — we ought to outlaw stock trades among members of Congress.”
Insider trading, or using information not available to the public to buy advantageous stocks, has long been a criticism of D.C. politicians. Some say it is a corrupt practice that abuses their lawmakers’ privilege to benefit themselves. Burchett’s new bill, the End Congressional Stock Trading Act, seeks to stop this.
However, despite the deep division and problems that America faces and despite the fear many Americans have, Burchett wrapped up his speech with hope and optimism about the future.
Everyday citizens have the power and potential to make a better America through their voices and votes.
“No kidding, folks, we are on the cusp of doing something great in this country, and I hope y’all realize that you’re a part of it,” Burchett said.
