"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]
"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)
I think I'd rather have Romney. At least we don't expect a whole lot with him and all one has to do is read Santorum's own words and we know he thinks it's the job of government to redistribute wealth.
He''s a typical socialistic Catholic but at least he votes Republican because he is pro-life. The problem is that to many Catholics, they believe that the desire of Democrats to redistribute wealth trumps the protecting of unborn life.
Your quotes are from 2005, and not very specific. I actally find myself in a position of wondering how we will ever transition out of the Nanny state we have become. (Do you have a vision for that, UC?)
This is what’s on his Website today:
RESTORING AMERICA’S GREATNESS
PROMOTING FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY
Reining in Spending and Reforming Government Entitlements for Sustainable and Better Solutions for America’s Families and Future
Living Within Our Means: Cutting $5 trillion over 5 years
Spending Core Principles
Live within our means so that America, our families, and our future generations will have a brighter future unburdened with oppressive debt and high taxation.
Prioritize our national security and defense
Refocus the federal government on constitutional priorities and parameters
Consolidate duplicative programs and agencies
Promote competition for provision of essential services
Eliminate outdated, ineffective, and wasteful programs
Empower State and Local Governments through partnership, block grants, and reserving functions for the States
Reform and Modernize Medicare since reducing healthcare costs is a prerequisite for our long term success and economic strength
Reforming Social Security which is essential for solvency, sustainability, and real retirement security
Proposals
Commit to cut $5 trillion of federal spending within 5 years.
Implement Strong America Now reform through Lean Six Sigma management process as a key engine for cutting government waste and improving efficiency.
Immediately reduce federal (non-defense discretionary spending) to 2008 levels through across the board spending cuts.
Freeze defense spending levels for 5 years and reject automatic cuts.
Freeze spending levels for social programs for 5 years such as Medicaid, Housing, Education, Job Training, and Food Stamps, time limit restrictions, and block grant to the States like in Welfare Reform.
Repeal and Replace ObamaCare with market based healthcare innovation and competition to improve America’s and Americans health, control costs, improve quality and access, and to keep and create jobs which provide resources for healthcare.
Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution capping government spending at 18% of GDP so that Congress and the President will need to balance the budget like Governors are required to do.
Pass legislation to reform the Congressional Budget Process and support legislation to require Congress to pass constitutionally required spending bills on time or not get paid the next fiscal year.
Implement Medicare Reforms and Innovation proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan and speed up their implementation to control healthcare costs and improve quality.
Reform Social Security and place on a sustainable path by a combination of reforms such as addressing adjusting CPI, dependent benefits and disability income benefits reforms, moving back the retirement age for younger workers, means testing benefits, annual adjustments as needed, and dedicating Social Security payroll taxes to Social Security.
Implement reforms and cost savings of up to $100 billion in March 2011 GAO report requested by Senator Coburn listing 34 areas of duplication and waste.
Stop implementation of any remaining federal stimulus spending.
Freeze pay for non-defense related federal employees for four years, cut workforce by 10% with no compensatory increase in contract workforce, and phase out defined benefit plans for newer workers.
Eliminate all energy subsidies and most agriculture subsidies within four years.
Eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood and use half of the dollars to support adoption instead.
Cut EPA resources for job killing regulations and return focus to commonsense conservation and safe and clean air and water.
Cut in half the number of State Department USAID employees and US funding for United Nations programs.
Eliminate funding for implementation of Dodd/Frank regulatory burdens.
Eliminate funding for implementation of ObamaCare.
Cut funding for National Labor Relations Board for decision preventing airplane factory in South Carolina.
Eliminating funding for United Nations’ agencies which oppose America’s interests and promote abortion and cut the US contribution to the UN in half.
Phase out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within five years.
Sell unproductive and wasteful federal properties.
Transition Team will review all spending cut proposals and restructuring reforms of the Heritage Foundation, CATO Institute, American Enterprise Institute, and the Simpson-Bowles Commission for additional savings.