Good Bye Rick Santorum

Good Bye Rick and … Thanks?

I am glad the majority of voters in PA have rejected Rick Santorum. Rick Santorum is a rigid ideologist whose policies are driven by his beliefs (or politically needed positions) versus objective realities.
He supported regime change in Iran, militarily if needed, even though we have a debacle in next door Iraq. He used divisive issues in a time when we are divided enough. Instead of compromising on civil unions, he tried to use the constitution to discriminate against gay people and has compared their relationships to bestiality. (Note the infamous, “What’s next, man on dog?”) He wanted us to be afraid, very afraid of an intercontinental cabal between Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Venezuela, but refused to even investigate reports of disenfranchised voters in Ohio. And worst of all he used his influence to further his political objectives and career goals. Santorum worked to establish the K Street lobbying system that has sold our federal policy to the highest bidder and routinely allowed lobbyists to write our legislation.
Former Senator Santorum’s election night concession was eloquent and polite, and he is a respectable man, but he was divisive, extreme senator, and frequently misrepresented the facts to fit his beliefs.
Santorum supporters do not have to worry, like all elected rigid ideologists who fail to force their goals on the majority; Santorum will find his way as a lobbyists or right wing think tank “contributor.” He may even run for president with full K Street backing. His platform could include preemptive attacks on sovereign nations and federal legislation preventing your dog from licking your face. Those of us who are tired of these extreme politics will be glad to see him go, but, like all who use public service for self promotion, he will not go quietly.