ROCKWELL CITY - The Republican Party has become a party of too many compromises, according to the founder of a third party that proclaims its adherence to the U.S. Constitution.

This is one of the reasons for the formation of America's Independent Party cited by Tom Hoefling, national AIP chairman, at the party's first Calhoun County caucus meeting, which drew approximately 10 people Tuesday.

"This is my shorthand way of describing it: 100 percent moral conservative, personhood pro-life, Reagan peace through strength constitutionalists," said Hoefling, "We're trying to bring about a truly principle party."

He also said the party is not fake-pro-life like most of the Republican party has become.

The party has become the country's third largest political party, based on voter registration, since its formation in June 2008.

Hoefling described the party as a "closed party," where in order to become a member you must make a personal affiliation agreement with the party, swearing to stand by the party's core principles, which he said are more important than party numbers.

It is also, as he described it, a meta-party, which is beyond parties, and will support any candidate of whatever party as long as they stand by AIP's core principals, and it is the ultimate goal of the party to remake the way the country does politics.

"In other words, to cut the media and the big money out of the equation," he said. "These decisions should not be up to them, they should be up to the people."

Another member of the party, William Sankey, of Pomeroy, assisted with the meeting and explained why he joined America's Independent Party.

"The Republican party left me many years ago," he said. "And I was looking for a party where I could fit in with the ideals that made this country great, and America's Independent Party is that party."

Putting more Republicans back in power, said Hoefling, would be the definition of insanity: trying the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

"We just had a decade of that. Did we get rid of any government agencies? Did we get rid of any government programs? Did we cut spending? No, spending skyrocketed, and they opened the door to Obama and radical socialists who began to take over the banks. Why do we want to put the same people back in there?" said Hoefling.

According to Hoefling, the oath of office is pretty much a formality for legislators these days.

"Everything is pulling them towards a position of giving up any principle they hold dear," he said. "All the way to the point they will ask you to vote for John McCain, who has spent the last decade undermining and destroying everything we believe in."

The party will be holding county caucus meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the Calhoun County Courthouse, 416 Fourth St., Rockwell City.

Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net