[SteveA]

Here are some reasons why conservatives hang onto the Republican party:

1) They believe government is the solution for social issues
2) They fail to recognize that politicians can take block partyline voters for granted
3) They correctly see many Democrats as "big government" proponents but are too ashamed to admit Republican faults.
4) Some really want a religious state
5) They fail to recognize that grassroots Republican efforts aren't representative of the federal process. (In other words, Republicans elected into lower level positions aren't of the same class or motivation factors as those 'selected' by the media, and other forces for federal positions)
6) They keep assuming that you can fix a broken system by using the same broken system to do it.
7) Instead of holding key foundational issues in focus they get distracted by minor important issues (They'll blow energy trying to get an unnecessary ban on a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, and failing but can't stick to school vouchers or Social Security reform)
.... etc. etc. etc.

I'm not blaming anyone really. There are a lot of forces trying to distract people from the real problems that corrupt the moral foundation of our government and make it impossible to reform little things one by one. There's no way you're going to every get money out of politics as long as you tolerate politics getting into money. (and there's no way to truly fix our currency until we get back off using the paper/plastic system ... could have a little less focus on gay marriages and more on an overhaul of the economy? I don't see it happening until after we have a crash though ... conservatives are too busy chasing ghosts)