SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY'S REPUBLICAN PARTY REQUIRING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES SIGN PLEDGE TO ADHERE TO THEIR "PRINCIPLES"

         According to an article in the Clinton Chronicle the executive committee of the Laurens County Republican Party is worried about ending up with RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) on the upcoming ballot, so they've come up with a sure-fire way to make sure only the "right kind" of Republicans are eligible.  They've voted unanimously to adopt a policy requiring potential candidates to sign a pledge of 28 "Principles of Republicanism" AND submit to a preliminary interview prior to being approved for the ballot in that county.  A subcommittee of three people will interview a candidate and then, depending upon his or her 'Republicanism' recommend their inclusion on the ballot to the full committee for a vote.
         And just what kinds of things do the executive committee of Laurens County, South Carolina's Republican Party insist a candidate vow?  Here's a few of them:


You must oppose abortion, in any circumstances.

You must uphold the right to have guns, all kinds of guns.

You must endorse the idea of a balanced state and federal budget, whatever it takes, even if your primary responsibility is to be sure the county budget is balanced.

You must favor, and live up to, abstinence before marriage.

You must be faithful to your spouse. Your spouse cannot be a person of the same gender, and you are not allowed to favor any government action that would allow for civil unions of people of the same sex.

You cannot now, from the moment you sign this pledge, look at pornography.

You must have:
“A compassionate and moral approach to Teen Pregnancy;”

“A commitment to Peace Through Strength in Foreign Policy;” and
“A high regard for Unites States Sovereignty.”

           I especially like the one prohibiting a potential candidate from looking at pornography from the moment he signs the pledge until he's no longer a Republican candidate for office in Laurens County.  Can't you just see someone filing a complaint that Candidate Smith has been cheating on his pledge because they got a lewd email from said candidate?