I’ve skinned many a knee  trying to jump aboard a moving band wagon (I have horrible depth perception).  Undaunted, I say it’s time for Rick Santorum to take his Etch-A-Sketch and go home.

I never really swooned for Mr. Santorum (although I confess to having a terrible thing for Newt Gingrich).  From the first debates, he struck me as a bit petulant.  And, pure as he may be, he never struck me as above playing Republican primary politics.  If Santorum was nominated, does anyone think he would not "reset" his message?  Wouldn’t he recalibrate his "message" in order to win?  Wasn’t he laying the groundwork for precisely this here in Michigan, e.g., by appealing to big labor Democrats.  He apparently did that plenty in Pennsylvania.  And what about Rick Santorum the team player?

In other words, I never worried about Rick Santorum's theocratic tendencies.  In my experience, this threat tends to be exaggerated.  We’d sooner paint the opposition with this brush (I'll try it myself here presently) BECAUSE it's politically damaging; politicians tend not to do things that are politically damaging.  Our overwhelming resistance to anything smacking of theocracy has pretty deep roots.  The Declaration of Independence focuses on our God-given RIGHTS: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We aren’t told what to do, we aren’t even told what happiness is; happiness and its pursuit is left to the individual (yes, yes, as long as we don’t trample the rights of others).  Liberty is the key, God given liberty.  There is no mention of the God-given Ten Commandments.  Government of by and for the people is not instituted to enforce God’s Commandments; it is instituted to protect our God-given freedom, including the freedom to heed those commandments, however we interpret them.

It would be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic the way the pious left capitulates, when not actively engaged in, eroding this freedom, all the while attacking others for this very thing in the name of "economic freedom," "social justice," or whatever new banner they unfurl over their assault.

To the extent that there is ONE, the banner of the Tea Party is freedom.  The appeal of Ron Paul, especially to young voters, underscores the importance of freedom.  It seems to me that President Obama and his leftist co-horts are vulnerable, despite their dis-ingenuity,  when it comes to freedom.

When it comes to what freedom is for, as much as possible, I would rather hold up examples than engage in the frankly tedious business of holding others responsible.  Not only is this in perfect harmony with our political founding, it can also claim Christian pedigree, can it not?  But the pious left even attacks holding up examples, (and I am not thinking of the vain or ostentatious) because it might make others feel bad rather than give them something to strive for.  As though the very existence of those we admire and wish to emulate is an intolerable affront.  If we don't insist they put out the light, at least they should have the decency to keep it hidden under a bushel; only lifting it enough to pay their "fair share."  This is another fight worth having.  It's time for Rick Santorum to help Mitt Romney take this fight to President Obama.

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