On the steps of the newly refurbished Capitol, two young hipsters wearing tight jeans and carrying pink signs advocating health care for all defended their cause to an older man. He was carrying a "Sovereign Idaho" sign and just as passionately opposed government intervention in the health care system.

Monday was a day for protests and marches in Downtown Boise as Idahoans of every political stripe took part in the most American of traditions, exercising their rights of free speech and assembly as the country celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

The impromptu health care debate broke out moments after a Tea Party rally ended and before an MLK march arrived at the same spot. And these events were sandwiched between a demonstration for social justice groups and a pro-charter-school rally.

"The First Amendment of the United States is alive & well today at the Idaho State Capitol," tweeted Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint. "4 very different groups rallied peacefully!"

And for all the dysfunction in the American political system, the outsiders have found a way in. A year ago, Tea Party gatherings sprang up to protest government spending. Monday, some 400 people showed up to rally - and to support proposals by Republican lawmakers.

Participants got a reminder that 2010 is an election year, too. Seven sitting Idaho Republican House members and three U.S. congressional candidates addressed the rally. All 105 legislative seats and both of Idaho's U.S. House seats will be on the November ballot.

"It is not enough to say things are wrong," said Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol. "You've got to have a seat at the table."

Hart is proposing legislation to mine Idaho silver for currency and wants to audit and abolish the Federal Reserve. Thanks to him and other legislators, a seat at the table is just what the anti-federal government protesters got.

Hart's bill is one of three to be introduced that are supported by the Sovereign Idaho Coalition, an umbrella group for several Idaho Tea Parties and Campaigns for Liberty. The coalition organized Monday's conservative gathering.

The coalition also backs a proposal by Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, to introduce the "Idaho Health Freedom Act" on Tuesday, designed to keep Idahoans free to choose their health care options.

And it backs a plan by Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, to propose a "Firearms Freedom Act," modeled after a recent Montana law.

"We are not racists. We will not be quiet," said Sovereign Idaho Coalition co-chairman Mark Balzer of Pocatello, as he refuted critiques of the Tea Party movement. "And we most certainly will not go away."

Certainly not with candidates for Congress appealing to the group.

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, is running for the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District, which covers western Idaho, including Canyon County and part of Ada County generally west of Cole Road. He told the crowd that "the balance of power has become distorted" between the federal government and state governments.

Two Republican candidates in the 2nd Congressional District - Rep. Russ Mathews, R-Idaho Falls, and Iona businessman Marvin "Chick" Heileson - also spoke.

"Better government means limited government, and limited government means more power to live the American dream," Mathews said, drawing a large cheer from the crowd.

Among the signs: "Born Free, Taxed to Death," "Stop the Socialist Madness," "The Senate: Where America's Future Goes to Die," "U.S. Congress: A legalized criminal enterprise," and "I'll keep my liberty, my guns, my money and you can keep the Change."

Occasionally, chants from the oncoming MLK march roared above the Tea Party rally. As the Tea Partyers disassembled, a new crop of demonstrator took their place.

Only in America.

Brian Murphy: 377-6444