"This whole idea of personal autonomy, well I don’t think most conservatives hold that point of view. Some do. They 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 regulations low, 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." [source]Check out his brochure, 50 Things You Didn't Know About Rick Santorum, where he proudly defends food stamps, increasing minimum wage, stem cell harvesting, college tuition subsidies, bloated school funding, working with Bono to fight world poverty, etc.
"What was my vision? I came to the uncomfortable realization that conservatives were not only reluctant to spend government dollars on the poor, they hadn’t even thought much about what might work better. I often describe my conservative colleagues during this time as simply ‘cheap liberals.’ My own economically modest personal background and my faith had taught me to care for those who are less fortunate, but I too had not yet given much thought to the proper role of government in this mission." –Rick Santorum, p. IX It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (2005)
"I suspect some will dismiss my ideas as just an extended version of ‘compassionate conservatism.’ Some will reject what I have said as a kind of ‘Big Government Conservatism.’ Some will say that what I’ve tried to argue isn’t conservatism at all. But I believe what I’ve been presenting is the genuine conservatism our Founders envisioned. One that fosters the opportunity for all Americans to live as we are called to live, in selfless families that contribute to the general welfare, the common good." –Rick Santorum, p. 421 It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (2005)
"If you're a conservative, there really is only one place to go right now. I would even argue farther than that. If you're a Republican, if you're a Republican in the broadest sense, there is only one place to go right now and that's Mitt Romney." –Rick Santorum, 02/1/2008 [source]
“I came to the uncomfortable realization that conservatives were not only reluctant to spend government dollars on the poor, they hadn’t even thought much about what might work better.”
Can you say elitist?
Santorum appoints himself as the guy who needs to think for conservatives because they can’t think for themselves.
thank you for the wonderful sources. Rick is another fraud masquerading as a Conservative.
Rick has delusions of grandeur. Sadly for our Republic, his delusions could cost our Republic dearly. If Mitt or Obama is elected the result is the same: a socialist h*ll for America. I am sure Rick would not feel he had a part in it.
I hope his money dries up fast (but I would expect Soros and Mitt would make sure he is funded)
Santorum does appear to be a compassionate conservative in the Bush mold. That doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t be an OK president, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves into believing he’d fundamentally change the federal government. Like Bush, Santorum’s record is one of support for big government social programs.
I’m not trying to demonize the man. Let’s just say I see Christian charity differently. Charity comes from private, voluntary action, not top down, federally forced contributions. The federal government isn’t the church, and taking from one citizen to give to another is essentially immoral. If it’s done against one’s will, it’s theft.