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    Rick Santorum on Health Care, Foreign Policy, Social Issues

    By Sylvia Cochran | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Thu, Jan 5, 2012
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    COMMENTARY | "Game on! Thanks to all of you, we pulled off our #iowasurprise! Keep going to NH, SC & beyond," Rick Santorum tweeted in the wake of his super-close second place finish at the Iowa caucus. Now suddenly a dark horse player in presidential politics, where does this candidate stand on the issues? More importantly, can his message resonate with moderate Republicans and Democrats?

    Health Care Reform

    Santorum opposes "ObamaCare." His campaign website considers the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23, 2010, his "priority number 1." In its stead he proposes to place health savings accounts that work in conjunction with insurance plans featuring high deductibles. Santorum further advocates the ability to buy healthcare coverage across state lines, to increase competition and thereby drive down overall consumer costs.

    Foreign Policy

    The candidate proposes a 10-step approach to foreign policy. Part and parcel of this agenda are a restoration of the missile-defense commitment to Poland, a revamped intelligence presence in the Middle East, an expansion of humanitarian aid programs in Africa, and a renewed commitment to the support of Israel. Santorum suggests a return to the America presided over by Ronald Reagan.

    Likely Stumbling Blocks: Social Issues

    Whereas conservatives are likely to be on board with both the candidate's healthcare and foreign policy approaches, moderate Republicans are likely to draw the line when it comes to social issues. "Now the courts have created a 'super' right that's above a right that's actually in the Constitution, and that's of sexual liberty," the Des Moines Register quoted Santorum when discussing gay marriage. I believe it to be highly unlikely that this sentiment will resonate with moderate voters.

    Perhaps even more damning is the candidate's stand on reproduction. When being interviewed for Caffeinated Thoughts about issues that he will go to bat for, he stated that one issue was "contraceptive coverage." Santorum went on to opine that contraceptives give "a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be." He tempers his statement with the concession that he is not "running for preacher."

    Sources

    Twitter, "@RickSantorum"

    "Repeal and Replace ObamaCare with Patient-Centered Healthcare," Rick Santorum's Campaign Website

    "10 Steps to Promote Our Interests Around the World," Rick Santorum's Campaign Website

    Jennifer Jacobs, "Santorum in his own words on Huntsman, working women and sexual liberty," Des Moines Register

    Shane Vander Hart, "Interview with Rick Santorum: A Champion for the Family, Manufacturing Jobs," Caffeinated Thoughts

     

    6 comments

    • Bob
      Bob  •  Spokane, Washington  •  4 mths ago
      Santorum is a right wing catholic religious nut who does not even know what the catholic church teaches. God save us from religion!
    • Rocco
      Rocco  •  Poughkeepsie, New York  •  4 mths ago
      Why does Rick Santorum want to make masterbation, of all things illegal. Talk about big government. This is HUGE government. Maybe he doesn't think so. Perhaps he wants to shrink the government down to the size of my urethra, to see if I have been jerking off.
    • anonymous
      anonymous  •  Jacksonville, Florida  •  4 mths ago
      "Church and state are, and must remain, separate."
      -Ronald Reagan
    • Jason
      Jason  •  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  •  4 mths ago
      Hmm... what always seems to happen when a Republican comes out repeatedly and in force about gay rights or gay marriage. They eventually are forced out of the closet in some embarassing episode in which they confess to really being gay and saying they are sorry they hurt their families and lied to people and spent public money on prositutes and blah blah blah. Hmm... wonder what will happen in the future....
    • Simba
      Simba  •  4 mths ago
      Rick Santorum is against equal rights and for controlling a woman's uterus.
      He is against the majority of Americans.
      And he has a really smarmy look to him.
      Remember.
    • Brian
      Brian  •  4 mths ago
      He said he isn't running for "preacher" so why do people have to attack his Religious views? oh wait I forgot the liberal trolls are out in force today.
      • ConstantCraving
        ConstantCraving 4 mths ago
        We must attack because he's made it clear that, given the chance, he would rule according to his religious beliefs. He's not running for preacher, but he's running AS one and, here in America, we're not having that in our politics.
      • Simba
        Simba 4 mths ago
        Because he is using his religous views to justify his right to restict the rights of other Americans.
      • Simba
        Simba 4 mths ago
        Santorum does not have a chance in hell.
        He might have a chance to go there.
     Post a comment
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