But, over the past week have certain events really underscored the inability of any one party to serve all the needs of its constituents especially those with very specific agendas. When Republican Governor Mark Sanford confessed to having an affair with an unnamed woman from Argentina the myth of the Republican party having cornered the market on social and family values was dispelled.

In 1999 Mark Sanford was interviewed about then president Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky, and he called on the president to resign for straying from his marriage. Yet he himself as of today has not yet decided to resign his public office. Not that I believe he necessarily should based solely on his having had an affair as it's first and foremost between himself and his family. However, when someone goes on at length pointing fingers and campaign as a paragon of family values then turns around and proves to be as likely to stray as the next person it's a bit hypocritical.

Sanford wasn't the only one who burned voters who believed they were voting for someone doing more than simply singing the praises of family values. One of the lead prosecutors during the Clinton impeachment procedures Rep. Henry Hyde was forced to admit that during the 1960's he had an extra marital affair as well. Former Republican Senator from Idaho Larry Craig who also criticized former President Bill Clinton for having an extra marital affair was himself unfaithful when he was arrested while still a Senator in 2007 for soliciting sex in the men's restroom of an airport. Not only was he trying to cheat on his wife with whoever he came across in the bathroom children were part of those using that restroom as well as adults.

Republican Senator from Nevada John Ensign this month came out as having had an affair himself. Perhaps the worst betrayal was when it was made public Republican Representative from Florida Mark Foley had multiple complaints against him about his having pursued underage boys serving as congressional pages from 1995 to 2005. He was forced to resign in 2006.

The most prominent was Republican Newt Gingrich who, while pursuing Clinton vigorously and having spearheaded the 1990's use of spreading rumors Democratic politicians had less family values than Republican politicians, was cheating on his own wife. The woman he was cheating with was herself a congressional aide at one point like Lewinsky. It showed that although there may be exceptions Republican politicians were not more or less likely to live out the values voters from the religious right expected politicians to exemplify.

Democrats have also strayed former President Clinton being the most obvious example. Some like John Edwards, who himself criticized President Clinton, went on to have an affair. While Democrats did campaign on family values they never claimed en masse to be more or less likely than Republicans to fall short of ideal standards. Once the numbers are tallied it is clear Republicans are as likely to have personal weaknesses and character flaws as Democrats.

The party of family values post the Clinton scandal was lead by Carl Rove who claimed under his vision the party would become a permanent majority. Although that vision never came to be it did last though the G.W.Bush years. A large part of the strategy for accomplishing that vision meant recruiting heavily from the religious right and laying claim to family values as an entire party. But, they proved to be just as human and flawed as their Democratic counterparts and couldn't live up to that high standard. Some from the religious base took notice.

Perhaps the most prominent of these was Dr. James Dobson who stated during the 2008 elections he was, "deeply disappointed" in the Republican Party. He went on to claim he would not vote for anyone that year. In an interview with FOX News Gary Bauer, head of the conservative group Campaign for Working Families, said “part of it, I think is we’re in a second term (presidency) and there’s been no major progress on things that the base really cares about… There is sort of this simmering frustration out there that 'man, they want our votes on Election Day, but they are going to fight on 50 other issues before they get to our issues.'”

The Republican party can say they are still the party who is more likely to produce candidates who live out the values the religious right wish a candidate to live by, but after one or two bad apples once the behavior continues a pattern begins to emerge.

The fiscally conservative side of the party have themselves complained. Their gripe is about, about among other things, the close affiliation with the religious right. When referring to religious issues on the Republican party's platform Republican Presidential Candidate Michael Smith said in 2007, "What does any of this have to do with traditional conservatism? What happened to a government that keeps its distance and respects the individual to make his own choices? Whatever became of the Republican mantra of smaller government and states’ rights? Is this the Party that professes to respect individual accountability and promote personal liberty?"

This is not to pick on the Republican Party but it's clear they simply cannot be everything they claim. Democrats have also fallen short of many promises in the past and let down their constituents, but none as dramatically obvious as what has happened with the Republican Party and the religious right.

This has become a void for many on the religious right and is the perfect example of why a group of people would consider a new political party to fill a space. They have already proven their political power. The most secure way to fill such spaces is often as simple as votes.

Although I am not part of the religious right myself their plight is a clear example of how smaller political parties catering to specific segments of a populace could do what larger parties cannot hope to accomplish with all else on their plates. It is a matter of highly focused very specific service to groups which have found themselves overused and exploited for the purpose of getting votes. This is true for any group whether from the right or left. After forming the next step is among other things getting on stage and being able to debate openly with those of other parties. If anyone says, "that's impossible" that's a very good chance to inquire as to why that is.

To read about my inspiration for this article go to www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com.