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Rick Santorum seems to have attained the iconic American Dream. The child of an educated, skilled, and immigrant father, he now finds himself a candidate for the nomination. He presents himself as a devout Catholic whose political philosophy is guided by his religious convictions; he appears to be a stalwart guardian of his faith and principles. A family man, he has seven children and a supportive wife.
His traditionalism is appealing to those who share his values. Nevertheless, his opinions regarding strict adherence to Catholic teachings on contraception do not reflect those of the majority of Catholics. He is reverent to Catholicism’s views on the primacy of heterosexual marriage and opposes the granting of the civil right to gay people, despite the fact that many states have been changing their laws to reflect a growing acceptance of our need to safeguard rights for all our citizens. He advocates a punitive approach to immigration and would veto the Dream Act, a piece of legislation that is extremely popular among Latinos.
He appears to be a principled man. He has a true north and champions his conservative credentials in stating that he does not care what the unemployment rate will be because he is focused on his vision for “America,” a country that he feels has been under attack by Satan. He feels justified in calling for a blurring of the separation between (Christian) church and state, presumably to combat the evil forces facing us.
Herein lies the problem: whose evil forces are they? Santorum has every right to espouse his beliefs and hold true to them. However, he represents a brand of ultra-conservatism that seeks to impose a dogma rooted in a particular socio-religious tradition upon the rest of the nation. It is not a democratic ideal, not in the spirit of the great social experiment, the United States, for groups of people to be beholden to one segment of the population. Freedom to worship – or not worship – as we see fit, is our political heritage. We should all be on-guard when someone seeks to impose his/ her opinion on us all, for this could endanger our own pursuit of happiness.
Santorum’s focus is laser-like on issues of social conservatism. However, his hawkish views on Iran, his religiously based excuses for wanting to do away with protections for endangered species and the environment, his misunderstanding of constitutional facts, all suggest that his platform is a myopic and narrow one. A good leader, an effective leader, must have a vision for the encompassing tapestry that makes the U.S. such an intriguing nation. Santorum, who may be a pillar of his community, is a dangerous ideologue who seeks to blanket the country with his own opinions on how others should live. His diplomatic skills are unproven and worrisome; his economic acumen is questionable. He is simply not suited to be President.
Hopefully, voters will have the greater good, a commonality of national purpose, as their guide at the ballot box.
About Maitri Pamo
Not really. Main reason is because he is imposing his views on an entire country as opposed to letting people make their own choices. You know, like how they famously say “government out of your lives”. If you are restricting gay marriage or birth control usage, then that is government in our lives.
Otro más que quiere crear una mezcolanza de religión y política…para intentar imponer sus creencias sectarias en el resto de la población…
is being driven by religious convictions a political liablity? not in my book
Screw religion. This guy says that separation of church and state makes him vomit. Religion’s irrational and unnecessary..
No …Heck No
HELL NO!!! “SATANTORUM” IS ONE BIG RACIST SICK EGOMANIAC MORON~!
Nope!
Your faith can guide you, give you comfort, but you can not impose your faith on the rest of the US, that is the establishment clause!
Another dummy we don’t need to waste 4 years on. Why people even consider voting for this guy is beyond my mind. But then again, we vote because he or she “has a better chance” without even looking at the candidates intentions. Things like that will really screw up this country one day.
Seriously? No. How many times do we have to say NO?
Hell no !!!
The fact that he lost his seat to a democrat and that no PA politicians have endorsed him should be evidence enough to show how poor of a leader he is. I live where he’s from and where he was elected and no one – liberal or conservative – backs him.
the Bill of Rights implies separation of Church and State AND so does the Bible…ol’ Ricky here seems to have forgotten that.
That’s the thing. Political philosophy should not be driven by religious conviction because it alienates most people. You are supposed to work for the country, not your congregation.
Er, nah. Most people like others with a bit of faith but don’t care for “religio nuts”. He doesn’t seem to understand that the USC does not allow elected official to impose their particular religious beliefs onto the populace.
To Quote the Late, Great Christopher Hitchens, Religion Poisons Everything.
((shudders))
@Cyrena like that quote right on !
christian robots cannot be president…at least thats what I thought
We stand and fight the religious hatemongers, both overseas and the Talibangelicals here at home.
The president’s duty is not to represent his own values and agenda, but the best interests and values of the majority that puts him in office.
@ Alfred: so do you feel comfortable with anyone’s religious principles guiding her/his political thought? Or is it only Christian ideology that is ok? If ever a Muslim or a Jewish politician stated that s/he were running for office, guided by her/his religion, would that be ok? Or is it only christians who enjoy your support?
No he’s lost his mind leave religion to the religious not the country
His stance in social issues should be irrelevant. He just thinks he has license to say sexist, racially biased, and offensive comments, and then, base his candidacy on them.
Rick is an idiot. I will be voting for Obama again!
This guy, Santorum is mad man whose religion views have driven to insanity. Having said that, I ask all of you, please VOTE. Don’t think Obama is going to win the presidency easily. Let’s not make the same mistake with high IQ Al Gore, whom people thought he would won easy to the two digit IQ Bush. So please vote!!!