Urging the importance of voting for leaders who will be accountable to the People, another “CLEAR4TEA” rally was held in Central Park, Honesdale, Monday. Since the first rally was held on April 15th, backers of the TEA Party movement have upheld conservative values and their belief that a smaller, more accountable government will protect cherished freedoms. Several speakers reflected their ideals, and celebrated the American traditions of lawful assembly and free speech.
 TEA, for Taxed Enough Already, rings of the hallowed Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773, when Patriots protested taxation without representation and 27 other grievances they had with the British Crown. The TEA parties, held on Tax Day in April around the nation, have been followed by numerous other gatherings.
CLEAR stands for Constitutional Liberties Equal American Rights. CLEAR was formed following the April 15th rally in Honesdale, and its local organizers are applying for nonprofit status. They seek to continue to make their voices be heard.
Monday’s event also echoed similar events planned nationwide, in advance of the General Elections. They clamed representation from several different political affiliations, including Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, and Green.
Walter “Skip” Mendler, president of the Wayne County Green Party,  was among the speakers. He said he was reciprocating since one of the CLEAR organizers, Jennifer Fountain attended a Waynepeace event with which Mendler is affiliated. The emcee quipped in her introduction of Mendler, that he makes a “mean cup of green tea.”
Mendler stated that while his party and others supporting the rally might disagree on issues, he was there to emphasize where they have in common.  These include their shared belief in grassroots democracy, getting more people involved at the table for discussion, the need to reign in big government and make our leaders more accountable to the people. He said that the Green Party advocates a political sphere where it is easier for a third party to be on the ballot, which would be good for everyone, he added.
Values of God and country, good manners and honesty have eroded since the 1960’s, said Gloria Gebert.  She called for leaders who have integrity. Vietnam veteran Robert Doyle said that American military heroes of the past would today be counted as criminals. Sue Ubertini warned of a perceived slide towards socialism in this country, where the Christian foundation of worth in the individual is replaced with the worth of the collective. A socialist regime, she said, is run by an elite class that decided what is best for you, anathema to our Nation’s Founding Fathers.
For more information on the local CLEAR group, visit www.clear4teaparty.com.

More information on the rally may be found in Tuesday's print edition.- Editor's note