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| Santorum trying to explain his narrow-mindedness. |
In an NPR interview, Santorum stated, "[Libertarians] have this idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do. Government should keep our taxes down and keep our regulation low and that we shouldn't get involved in the bedroom, we shouldn’t get involved in cultural issues, you know, people should do whatever they want. Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world, and I think most conservatives understand that individuals can’t go it alone."[2]
Santorum believes that the constitutional rights of American citizens are not unlimited, but instead must be regulated by the government[3]. He believes in a constitutional definition of marriage, thus federally banning gay marriage[4]. He has said he will continue the costly undeclared wars on terror[5] and supports both the PATRIOT Act[6] and internet regulation such as SOPA[7]. He has even gone so far as to vote against Right To Work in his home state of Pennsylvania while promoting unions[8], something, I believe, that most would not associate with conservatism.
I propose this: Many of Rick Santorum's beliefs, actions and plans are closely related to radical authoritarianism (aka fascism), and while he claims to be conservative, he is in fact failing hold up the title in every department.
If you look at the definitions of conservatism[9] the overall consensus (or commonality) seems to be that of conservation and preservation of what is already there. So, to me, the truest form of conservation would be that of the original documents laid out by our founding fathers.
My belief is that traditional conservatives should be the preservers of constitutional rights and civil liberties; defending the freedom of the individual at all costs. They should also be against excessive spending, especially in relation to war. This seems like a value lost on the majority of the Republican Party, with the exception of (as Santorum calls them) the "Libertarian Right."[2]
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[1]: http://www.ricksantorum.com/pressrelease/santorum-stands-strong-consistent-conservative-leader
[2]: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4784905
[3]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5iY5Sll72k
[4]: http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/santorum-visiting-olympia-calls-constitutional-ban/nHb9p/
[5]: http://www.issues2000.org/2012/Rick_Santorum_War_+_Peace.htm
[6]:http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Pennsylvania/Rick_Santorum/Views/Homeland_Security/
[7]: http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/19/santorum-the-internet-is-not-a-free-zone-where-anybody-can-do-anything-they-want/
[8]: http://www.issues2000.org/2012/Rick_Santorum_Jobs.htm
[9]: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservatism
