The Republican party HAS been hijacked.
Just check out what is now their official #1 priority --

BY-LAWS and RULES of the REPUBLICAN PARTY of BUTLER COUNTY

As Approved February 4, 2006

Mission Statement

It is the belief of the Butler County Republican Committee that the quality of life in our county is enhanced under Republican leadership. A dedication to the following principles helps to ensure and sustain the blessings of liberty and well being as a society and makes the Republican Party the party of Butler County:

Butler County Republican Committee Statement of Principles

I. Our Creator has granted us traditional moral principles which are the foundation of our society. It is incumbent upon us to uphold, strengthen and safeguard religious and other institutions which protect and embody these principles. Public policy which negates these principles or diminishes these institutions is inherently unsound.

II. Freedom is based on fundamental rights including those embodied in our Constitutions. Government is a means of securing freedom and maintaining a system of justice. Government, to be effective, must operate efficiently and economically, and must be restricted to essential public functions. Therefore, government must be limited, and it must recognize and encourage private individual and collective responsibility. Government must function with integrity, and must be accountable and responsive to the people that it represents.

III. The government power to tax and regulate, if used irresponsibly, imposes unacceptable costs upon society. The levying of taxes must be limited. Excessive taxation retards economic growth and prosperity, and diminishes personal freedom. Regulation and mandates by government should be restricted to essential public health, welfare and safety issues. In determining such policies, Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly should be aware of global, national and regional economic competition.

IV. A private, free market economic system is the basis of prosperity. The power of free enterprise to create jobs is the best means to eliminate poverty. The forced redistribution of wealth and the over regulation of the free enterprise system - even under the guise of law for the purpose of advancing misguided notions of social or economic justice - is destructive of the fabric of society, and must not be tolerated.

V. Justice demands an honest and impartial application of the law. It is a perversion of justice to deny equal opportunity to any individual. All people should be safe and secure in their homes and their communities. A strong system of criminal justice, which metes out sure and swift punishment to those who break the law, must not be compromised.

VI. Individual rights carry with them individual responsibilities. Included is the obligation to work to provide for oneself and one?s family, thereby securing freedom through economic empowerment. Therefore, governmental interference in the employment relationship should be minimized.

VII. The development of social and educational policy should recognize the primacy of the family, and should assure parents the freedom and ability to provide strong and appropriate foundations for their children. Educational quality will be instrumental in guaranteeing America?s future. Quality in education depends on a working partnership between students, parents, educators and communities. To be competitive in the world, our educational system must be accessible and competitive within itself by providing incentives for success and achievement.

VIII. The sanctity of human life is fundamental. Life has inherent dignity. Life should be afforded quality.

IX. The conservation of our environment and its natural resources, including the preservation of prime farmland, is a legacy that must be protected. Recognizing the need for business activity, public infrastructure, and safe and affordable housing, we acknowledge that the protection of our environment and natural resources should accommodate the rights of owners of private property.

X. American world leadership has been built upon and will continue to depend upon a willingness to defend and promote freedom. Support and recognition must be afforded to those men and women who have served in the defense of this Country. A strong national defense secures the blessings of liberty to our posterity.

XI. The Butler County Republican Committee demonstrates its commitment to the Republican Party through its various duties. Those duties, as outlined in the committee?s bylaws, shall include:

- Registering voters as Republicans and encouraging them to vote;
- Assisting Republican voters by providing information, absentee ballot applications, and other services;
- Assisting the Republican Party in finding, nominating, and electing well-qualified Republican candidates for office;
- Assisting candidates, who are registered Republicans and who affirm traditional Republican values as referenced in the Principles Statement, in election campaigns;
- To financially aid those Republican candidates who have affirmed the Principles Statement, and as a committee, not solicit funds from Republican candidates.
- Advancing the principles of the Republican Party and of supporting candidates who affirm those principles; and
- Otherwise advancing Republican Principles in Butler County.

Section 1: Election of County Committee

The Republican voters shall elect one man and one woman from each precinct at each biennial election, said primary election occurring in each even numbered year, and at such time or times as may now or hereafter be designated by the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Each elected committee man/ woman shall serve a term of two years or until their duly elected successor is elected.

Qualifications to hold the office of Committee man/ woman:

1. Must be a registered Republican voter at the time of filing petitions for the office and must remain a registered republican voter throughout the elected term of office.

2. Must be a citizen of good reputation and ethical standing.

3. Must never use or have used the office of committee man/woman, executive committee office, any Republican elected office or the titles or former titles of said offices to publicly endorse or publicly claim to vote for a Democrat candidate or Democrat elected official against a Republican.

4. The Pennsylvania Constitution which forbids those with felony records from ?holding any office of trust or profit? for the state shall apply to Committee men/ women. In addition to the Pennsylvania Constitution provision, any member who has been convicted of any crime that damages the reputation of the Republican party or any of its committees, officers, candidates or elected officials shall be removed from his/her elected or appointed office.