The Trouble With A Santorum

Rick Santorum, Republican former senator of Pennsylvania, and widely known for his radical social views, has been making headlines recently with some off-the-wall comments. Santorum, a devout Catholic, has used his faith-based beliefs to define his public policy and has many fearing what a Santorum presidency would mean for America – a frothy mess. I have decided to dedicate the next few posts to Santorum and some of his most troublesome comments along the campaign trail.

Last week a remark Santorum made in 2008 about the threat of Satan came to light. “Satan is attacking the great institutions of America,” a gravely serious Santorum shouted, “using those great vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that has so deeply rooted in the American tradition.” Normally, I would read this and think that it had been spewed forth by Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps – not a viable candidate for president. But it hadn’t, and that’s unsettling.

What’s more unsettling are his views on the separation of church and state. “I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute,” Santorum said. “The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.” It begins to shine light on what the country under a President Santorum would look like – theocratic.  

As an American, Santorum is entitled to his own religious beliefs and opinions; it is one of the many things that make this country great. There are also many Americans that share the same beliefs. Even most of our presidents have been deeply devout and religious men. But where they differ from potential presidential candidate Santorum is that they didn’t run on a platform based on theocratic ideals – they ran our country based on democratic principles rather than allow narrow religious views to dictate their course of action. Religion has no place in politics.  If you don’t agree, look at what a great job countries such as Saudi Arabia or Iran are doing on human rights and democratic ideals.

Comments such as ‘Satan is attacking America’ or his views on the separation of church and state are alarming and show that Santorum is too governed by his brand of faith to run our diverse country; his ultra-conservative religious beliefs dictate his life, his values, and his worldview to such a great degree that it is difficult to imagine him separating these perspectives from deciding public-policy on the facts rather than faith. 

Our president should be in the real world, dealing with real problems – the economy, high gas prices and an impending war with Iran – not a mythical horned demon hell-bent on taking over our country. He is running for commander-in-chief, not pastor-in-chief.