"We are going to get out our message — we have the best economy in the nation, we are the best managed state, most livable, best for the family, best place to start a business. Republicans helped create this atmosphere."

Lockhart went on to say that with the media beating up on GOP leaders all the time, why take the nonpaying party jobs? "We do it because we believe in the principles and values of this party. They are not just talk. It is part of our very being — less taxes, more individual responsibility and individual opportunity."

That document can be read at the state party's web Web site: www.utgop.org. Lockhart proposes that the document become an "official Republican Party document."

It quotes passages from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. But it also makes statements of principles that are not found in those documents, as well. Among the principles:

• A belief in God and a government based on "moral foundation with honesty, integrity, morality and accountability."

• "Individual religious expression, including prayer, in public and private."

• Individuals, families and charities should help the needy, but "support a government safety net if all else fails."

• There should be public, private and homeschooling education, with competitive excellence in education.

• Simplified tax code with elimination of the estate tax and a broad-based tax rate.

• Environment, air, water and land are the heart of existence and must be protected "through balanced management."

• Oppose abortion except to "preserve the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest."

• Traditional family is the fundamental unit of society, with parents responsible for bringing up their children.

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Contributing: Tad Walch

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com; dbulkeley@desnews.com