Calls for less government and more freedom rang out across parks in Temecula and Murrieta on Saturday, with more than 850 people standing on street corners with signs and cheering for like-minded speakers under the midday sun.

At Temecula Duck Pond Park, about 750 people attended a "Tea Party and Patriot Day" rally. Many of them gathered at Rancho California and Ynez roads with a variety of signs, prompting a nearly constant cacophony of motorists driving by to honk in support.

The protesters said they were there to cry out against a variety of concerns, including what they contend is a socialist agenda spreading across America, including ever-increasing federal spending and government control of their lives.

Chief among the complaints was President Barack Obama's push for nationalized health care, spending on illegal immigrants, the recently proposed "cap and trade" climate change legislation that is opposed by many conservatives, the acts of some members of the group Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, and the president's "radical" advisors and their policies.

Among the crowd lining the streets of Temecula was 57-year-old Temecula resident Brice Perry, who held a sign nearly as big as her small frame in one hand and a bullhorn in the other.

"Change it back; change it back," Perry shouted, getting the group worked up with her.

"No-Bama, No-Bama," she continued. "Yes we can ---- take our country back."

Nearby, 33-year-old Temecula resident Jill Grell held a sign that read: "Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither ---- Ben Franklin."

Grell said one of her biggest complaints about the Obama administration is its national health care proposal, but she also wanted to teach her children, ages 3, 4, 6 and 7, a lesson.

"I want them to understand the First Amendment," she said, nodding to her children, who stood nearby watching their mom take part in the rally.

Their father had flown to Washington, D.C., to take part in a similar but larger demonstration there, she added.

"I want them to understand they can say whatever they want without fear of the government," Grell said.

Signs the street protesters held touted slogans as varied as the group itself, which included families, seniors and middle-aged men and women.

On the signs, the messages included "not the change we wanted," "term limits," "mandatory H1N1 vaccine ---- stick it somewhere else," "government is the problem, not the solution," "no amnesty," "let freedom ring," and "wake up, American sheeple."

One large, white sign simply offered one word in big, black letters: "Liar."

"I do not want my country taken over," Perry said. "It's a travesty. We are mad as hell and don't want to take it anymore."

Waving a huge American flag toward passing motorist, a 60-year-old El Cajon resident named Curt, who declined to give his last name, said he is fed up with politics as usual.

"What brought me out here is the out of control government spending, and the fact that Washington does not pay attention to the people who created the health and wealth of this country," he said. "The American people are tired of it."

Curt had been counting the number of times drivers flipped him off. As another car passed, he goes, "There's number seven. Seven times. Compare that with the thousands of horns honking."

In addition to the protesters on the busy Temecula street corner, another large crowd listened to speakers in the picnic area of the park, clapping and cheering for talk of decreasing federal spending and fighting against Obama's initiatives.

One lively speaker, Ernie White, prompted huge waves of applause and cheers from the audience with his boisterous chanting of "No to Obama."

"We better start getting mad around here," he to the crowd. "We better get radical."

In addition to Temecula's protest, a similar gathering in Murrieta brought together about 100 people at California Oaks Sports Park. While the Murrieta crowd was much more subdued than their neighbors to the south, their complaints were largely the same.

With a handful of people lining the street with signs, the majority of those who attended the "Murrieta 9-12 Project Rally" sat under trees and listened to a variety of speakers.

"Our mission here is to get people in office and get our country turned around," organizer Bruce McKenzie said to the crowd. "They may not be on the Republican or Democrat ticket. What we need is people ---- citizens ---- not professional politicians."

As McKenzie called up attendees to speak, a variety of people took the microphone and voiced their concerns.

"It's important we get out in 2010," said Murrieta resident Linda Calarco, 56, who moved here from Nevada recently. "If we are able to take either the house or the senate, we'll be able to stop the 'Obamination.' And a word to Republicans ---- if you get the House back, don't blow it."

Wildomar resident Michael Brewer, 60, who has received a variety of medals, including two Purple Hearts, during his service in the U.S. Army told the audience that the country needs more patriots.

"It's about time we the people came together and voiced our concerns," he said.