Rick Santorum and the pursuit of happiness

Rick Santorum addresses a overflow crowd of more than 2,300 during a rally at First Redeemer Church, Cumming on Sunday.  Curtis Compton, compton@ajc.com

Rick Santorum addresses a overflow crowd of more than 2,300 during a rally at First Redeemer Church, Cumming on Sunday. Curtis Compton, compton@ajc.com

Cumming, Ga. — The rise of Rick Santorum and the return of social conservatism to the Republican presidential primary is an economic indicator that bodes well for most of the country, though perhaps not for Mitt Romney.

We’ll get to that in a minute. But first a few details from First Redeemer Church, where on Sunday night, Santorum addressed, for 70 minutes, an overflow crowd of 3,300 or so. If Santorum makes a big move in Georgia on Super Tuesday, people will point to this church meeting as the place where it started.

The crowd was littered with Republican activists – always a sign of whether a campaign is poised to take off.

Among those who were there: Tim Echols, chairman of the Public Service Commission, who acted as MC; Chuck Eaton, member of the PSC; Ralph Hudgens, state insurance commissioner; state Sens. David Shafer, R-Duluth, state chairman for the Santorum campaign and a native of the candidate’s hometown of Butler, Pa., Renee Unterman, R-Buford, and William Ligon, R-Brunswick; state Reps. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, Terry Rogers, R-Clarksville, Sam Teasley, R-Marietta, Ed Setzler, R-Kennesaw, Mike Dudgeon, R-Suwanee; former state Senator Jeff Chapman of Brunswick, the new head of Peach Tea Patriots; former state lawmaker Mitch Kaye; and Niki Broun, the wife of U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens.

In an overflow room in another building, U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville, watched on TV. “I’d never heard him speak, except at the debates, and he was in my hometown,” Woodall said afterwards.

Another pair in the audience: Joe Dendy, the chairman of the Cobb County GOP, and Scott Johnson, the former chairman. In a measure of how far Santorum had come, Johnson said he last saw the former Pennsylvania senator last August at the Iowa State Fair. “I went up and talked to Rick Santorum because nobody else would,” Johnson said.

First Redeemer is pastored by the Rev. Richard Lee, who has appeared in some literature as a supporter of Newt Gingrich.

The Rev.  Richard Lee, right, prays with Rick Santorum, his wife Karen, and three of their children, from left, John, Sarah Maria and Daniel, at the conclusion of Santorum's address during a rally at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Ga. on Sunday, Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

The Rev. Richard Lee, right, prays with Rick Santorum, his wife Karen, and three of their children, from left, John, Sarah Maria and Daniel, at the conclusion of Santorum's address during a rally at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Ga. on Sunday, Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

Before the event, Lee explained that Santorum’s appearance, one day after Gingrich completed a two-day stint in the state, didn’t constitute an endorsement:

“I had breakfast with Newt yesterday. Every time there is an election, we’ll have one or two candidates come through here. It’s never to be misinterpreted. I will invite [President Barack] Obama. Whether he comes, I don’t know. But I invite every candidate to come speak to our people, because [Forsyth] is the second most conservative county in America.”

In addressing the pews, Lee emphasized that the evening was a campaign event. “This is not church tonight,” he said. Even so, and despite his protestations of neutrality, his introduction was more fulsome than many endorsements we’ve heard. Lee emphasized Santorum’s record on pro-life issues – his mention of the ban on partial-birth abortions drew the evening’s first big cheer.

Lee quoted John Adams, the second U.S. president: “’In politics, the middle way is no way at all,’” the pastor quoted the Founding Father, adding this: “Rick Santorum knows only one way, and that’s the right way.”

Santorum focused exclusively on Obama. Only a few allusions were aimed at his GOP rivals – and they received no mentions by name. The economy received some mention, but not much. Santorum’s emphasis was on the overreach of federal government, and on social issues. ”Those who believe they know best are gaining more and more authority to tell us how to live our lives,” he said.

The contraception debate, as a measure of religious freedom, received a good deal of attention. Santorum upped the ante with this line:

“Now we have an administration that’s trying to wipe the decks. Yes, remember the president proposed eliminating charitable deductions for higher-income taxpayers, to cripple further these [churches] and non-profits.”

Let the record show that the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles federal deficit commission recommended the same thing.

That said, you have to note that Santorum’s rise has been concurrent with three weeks of news indicating an economic upturn. And his language indicates that the former Pennsylvania senator recognizes that the economy isn’t the Sword in the Stone that Romney thinks it is.

The core of Santorum’s lengthy talk was the link between the unalienable rights cited by the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. In particular, Santorum discussed the use of the word “happiness” in the Declaration of Independence, rather than the right to pursue “life, liberty and property.” Said Santorum:

”Property is just stuff. And America isn’t just about pursuing stuff. That’s one of the problems I have sometimes with our fellow conservatives, is that all we talk about — ‘Oh, Rick, presidential candidates just focus on stuff. Focus on taxing and spending, the economy. Don’t talk about anything else. Just focus on stuff. That’s what Americans really care about.’

“Do they? [The crowd murmured in the negative.] No, America and our founders understood that if we were just a bunch of folks that cared about stuff, we have a very, very narrow view of freedom. We have a very, very narrow view of what God’s call is in our lives. Because that’s why He gave us these rights. To pursue happiness.

“…..’Happiness’ actually had a different definition, ‘way back at the time of our founders. Like many words in our lexicon, they evolve and change over time. ‘Happiness’ was one of them. Go back and look it up. You’ll see one of the principle definitions of happiness is ‘to do the morally right thing.’ God gave us rights to life and to freedom to pursue His will. That’s what the moral foundation of our country is.”

Dismissing “stuff” and economic materialism is not necessarily a line that appeals to voters uncertain of where their next paycheck, or meal, will come from. Consider that, in its own way, Santorum’s emphasis is a sign that things are getting better – at least, economically.

Santorum’s closing argument came as part of a brief question-and-answer session. And this was addressed to supporters of both Romney and Gingrich. “This election is about big things. Yeah, it’s about the economy, it’s about jobs,” Santorum said. But he added this:

”If you don’t have a candidate who can reach out and touch something deep inside every American — and that touching may engender passion and support, it may raise someone’s consciousness, it may infuriate.

“But this is an election where we need to move people, remind people, what’s at stake. And there are those who are going to be passionate on both sides. If we do it wrong, they will have all the passion. And if they have all the passion, we will lose.”

- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider

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159 comments Add your comment

zealous

February 20th, 2012
12:21 am

This guy doesn’t have a chance at getting nominated, nor would he get elected even if Jesus himself endorsed him– and us republicans know this. He comes across as a sanctimonious weenie at best who has been sucking the government tit for so long he doesn’t know his mouth is in a perpetual pucker.

UNVRKNW

February 20th, 2012
12:29 am

Maybe you are right, but you are a vulgar sort of person.

zealous

February 20th, 2012
12:46 am

Vulgar– and right. Or does being right count less than being vulgar? Get over yourself.

Z

February 20th, 2012
12:49 am

3300 people most of which will vote against their own self interest. Santorum is an religious extremist who would like nothing better than turn this country into a Theocracy, NO THANKS!
But his dealings with K Street while he was in Washington is his real downfall. His own state(Penn) kicked him out of Washington with an 18% loss, the worst in History. I trust his own state knows his inner soul better than any other state. Just another Republican Devil in sheep’s clothing looks like to me.

double

February 20th, 2012
1:30 am

do not store up treasures on earth where moths and rust eat them away,and thieves steal them.Lay up treasures in heaven where rust moths and thieves will not be.For where your treasures lie,that is where your heart will be.

WorldProsperity!

February 20th, 2012
3:28 am

What I find amazing and quite franky obscene is the amount of MONEY a CHURCH has while people are starving to death!

Why does a church need a big auditorium? Why cannot people gather in a School building or a cheaper accomodation ?

Is it necessary for a believer to be in a church to be close to god? What is this hypocrisy?

American

February 20th, 2012
4:28 am

After taking the time to consider all the candidates, I will vote for Rick Santorum. In my opinion, he is the best candidate because he represents what I believe in- a strong America based on family values, religious freedom, economic strength, and military strength. I am tired of our leaders apologizing for America, saying that we are something less than other countries, saying that our Constitution is not good enough. We need to stop taking for granted the freedoms we have. We need to realize we live in the greatest country on this earth. We need a leader that believes in America and the people that he serves. We need a leader that believes and respects God- “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I need a leader that believes that the government was created for the people. I need a leader that understands that this earth was made for man to use and to manage- not the other way around. I need a leader that gives me hope based on freedom, I see no hope in what Obama has done and plans to do. His actions have demonstrated that he is against everything that I value. I only see a weaker America under his leadership- a America with more government control and intervention over our lives. Under his leadership, their is no hope for America- I only see less freedom and more burdens for Americans to bear.

Whocares?

February 20th, 2012
4:57 am

Yes, please vote for the stone age thinking Santorum…we’d love nothing better than to see him be the R’s candidate…

Meghan

February 20th, 2012
4:57 am

I find his brand of Christianity frightening and in no way a reflection of Jesus’ message to love one another.

J W C

February 20th, 2012
5:11 am

Here’s the political consideration that puzzles me; thousands of these people who live in retail heaven adorn themselves with clothing and jewelry, drive, fly and otherwise burn fuel to assemble in a large CHURCH to pray and hyperbolize about how others must consider THEM to run OUR lives in sanctimoniousd ways they deem as pursuits fit for our happiness. And they just don’t see how this can possibly run counter to American values. It’s like a train with one set of wheels on one track, and the other set of wheels on a completely different track, all while tooting a whistle for you to get on board. Those of us who retain our senses see, whether vulgar or not, how strangely incoherent this is; how this does not solve our current national problem set, yet they suck all the oxygen out of bona-fide conversation, attracting all those meaningless, attention demanding publicity hounds to gyrate in the overflow rooms, all attempting to align themselves to benefit from OUR efforts, all while preaching the ills of earthly “stuff”. Amazingly stupid, and so very very provincial. I’m truly ashamed of the south, politically. I only hope a miracle awakens those of us left with some ability to see clearly.

Barrow GOP

February 20th, 2012
5:42 am

Every Democrat in Georgia should be out knocking on doors for Santorum. His nomination guarantees the re-election of Obama. A little work now and Dems can cruise through the general election.

Attack Dog

February 20th, 2012
5:57 am

I really hope that women, Caucasian ones in particular, and fiscal conservatives are paying more attention to this type political rhetoric and the consequences if the talk becomes law of the land.

Attack Dog

February 20th, 2012
6:00 am

I wonder when “Dixiecrats” are going to ask George Bush, John Boehner, and Mitch McConnell, what did they do with our country, because we want it back?

Attack Dog

February 20th, 2012
6:01 am

I am so glad that Santorum is the frontrunner. I knew he could do it, and remember you read it here first!

Jeff Sexton

February 20th, 2012
6:04 am

Agree with WorldProsperity. Furthermore, this church (and truly, ALL churches) needs to lose their tax exempt status. “Render unto Ceasar” and all…

Memories

February 20th, 2012
6:16 am

Santorum took pride in the $300,000 earmark he delivered for a bi-lingual health care initiative. Helping illegals avoid learning English – Very Conservative (?). Or maybe you’ll like his wife suing her chiropractor in 2003 for failing to help her loose weight – Judgement = $375,000. Here’s a guy who got thrashed in his home state by a no-name Democrat in his last election. No doubt, Obama is rooting for Santorum.

Ol' Timer

February 20th, 2012
6:27 am

“The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan values and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism.” ~Reinhold Niebuhr

This is scary stuff — and having the preacher place his hand on Santorum’s shoulder and pray for him and having the meeting at his church is tacit endorsement and stepping across the line of separation IMHO.

In the Book of Hezekiah it plainly says, “Blessed is he who expecteth nothing for he shall not be disappointed.”

Becky

February 20th, 2012
6:28 am

Why is the church where the rally was held tax free?

Mitch

February 20th, 2012
6:37 am

What about this church’s tax exempt status, is this separation of church and state?

Thomas Jefferson

February 20th, 2012
6:42 am

Mr. Santorum’s attack on President Obama’s religious views reminds me of the Federalist attack on me in the election of 1800. It was messy and mean-spirited — it didn’t work on me then and it won’t work on Obama now.

Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity

February 20th, 2012
6:47 am

A vote for Santorum = A vote for OBAMA.

I am voting for Ron Paul today.

Real American

February 20th, 2012
7:04 am

Rick Santorum – a man so twisted he even thinks prenatal testing is a plot against mankind. LMAO…no wonder neither Colin or Condi will have anything to do with these nuts.

TomPaine

February 20th, 2012
7:11 am

If he loves God so much, why doesn’t he expedite the process to go live with him?!?!

Frederick Douglass

February 20th, 2012
7:20 am

“Find out what any people will quitely submit to, and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them”……….Frederick Douglass

My Head Ain't Right

February 20th, 2012
7:25 am

Let Santorum preach.

Let Obama lead.

Obama 2012.

CharlieATL

February 20th, 2012
7:28 am

What if…
Churches were not automatically granted eleemosynary status, but rather had to document that they spent 90% of contributions to benefit the needy to avoid taxation on their property and revenue, and this 90% could not include propagation of their religious doctrine?

[...] of his speech to the economy, and the proper role of the government under the Constitution. Senator David Shafer has been named state chairman of the Santorum campaign. Santorum won the straw poll at the Floyd County GOP mass meeting this weekend, one of many across [...]

DeborahinAthens

February 20th, 2012
7:32 am

Santorum is a horror. The lack of respect he shows for anyone that doesn’t adhere to his narrow minded philosophy. When, in this country, when someone disagreed with you, did it become right to say they were morally corrupt? The right wing conservatives say these thing about our President, a man, who, to my knowledge has lived a good life. He has never cheated on his wife, he goes to the mat for all people in his country–not just the wealthy.

Chief Media Urologist

February 20th, 2012
7:34 am

Why does Mr. Santorum have to harken back 250 years to a definition of “happiness” that suits his audience? Is it because his views on social issues stem from the same time period?

Webster defines “happiness” as:
a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy
b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience

We all know that Santorum is the anti-Smiley Face guy; wishing to impose his passionate yet stunted views to DENY us pleasurable or satisfying experiences.

Wishin

February 20th, 2012
7:41 am

I wish there were another Democratic candidate that, um, conservatives didn’t hate so much.

Chief Media Urologist

February 20th, 2012
7:53 am

The nature of the conservative is such that, no matter who the Democratic candidate is, they will despise them. They even apply that criteria to fellow conservatives who aren’t “conservative enough”.

They are the opposite of the Big Tent. Their numbers will prove it in November.

Chris

February 20th, 2012
7:55 am

The rise of Santorum is more indicative of the pending collapse of the GOP as a national party than anything else.

He’s a decent and honorable man who in better times would make a good VP or maybe secretary of some department like education or commerce. In a national election, he would be hard pressed to win a single state outside of the deep south and maybe a few midwestern ones (Iowa.)

Jim Galloway makes a good point about his rise in the polls coinciding with marginally better economic data. The problem the GOP has is that they have made the economy their number one issue without honestly addressing the causes of the worst recession since the Great Depression. This is largely because the party insiders have either no clue (unlikely) or have something to hide (more likely.) Also the GOP was complicit in many of the policy decisions that caused the recession (see Glass-Steagull.)

This is what some refer to as a “credibility trap”. If the GOP really wanted to get to the bottom of what caused the recession, they would have to pursue criminal investigations of the big banks and some private individuals. These investigations would lead directly to the party insiders and their big financial backers.

A winning strategy would be to go after the corruption and fraud that has ruined our economy. Such a campaign would not require bad economic data in order to succeed. It would point out that Obama ran as a populist and then sold out to the bankers. It would have a naturally resonant message with the American people, because they know in their hearts that the current recovery is a fraud and the criminals have not been held accountable.

Road Scholar

February 20th, 2012
7:58 am

Santorum: ”Those who believe they know best are gaining more and more authority to tell us how to live our lives,”

Look in the mirror bub!

American: ” I am tired of our leaders apologizing for America, saying that we are something less than other countries, saying that our Constitution is not good enough. We need to stop taking for granted the freedoms we have. We need to realize we live in the greatest country on this earth. We need a leader that believes in America and the people that he serves. We need a leader that believes and respects God- “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I need a leader that believes that the government was created for the people. I need a leader that understands that this earth was made for man to use and to manage- not the other way around. I need a leader that gives me hope based on freedom,…”

And that is why I will probably vote for President Obama unless another conservative other than the present group is selected.

I have to admit that Santorum is dynamic though. I just don’t like his christian taliban approach. Take an aspirin and call me when its over!

honested

February 20th, 2012
8:03 am

There may be a bright spot in this hot gas expulsion.
Ralph Hudgens was in the audience and sans-scrotum suggested that ‘being American was not about holding on to stuff’.
If Ralphie was listening, does this mean that there may be a few findings from the Ins. Comms. office in favor of the Consumer?

I realize it is a stretch, but if these guys really listen to one another (rather than show up to have their picture taken) then I guess it could happen.

Obama 2012!

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:06 am

In a country where the women out number the men, I can’t expect that Santorum can go far with his views on Birth Control, Abortion and women in the military. They make for nice talking points among the party faithful, but will like not play well among the general population.

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:09 am

Road Scholar – ” I need a leader that understands that this earth was made for man to use and to manage- not the other way around.”

Yes, apparently in Santorum world those who want to preserve the planet for future generations must be stopped at all costs. Maybe he and Newt can team up and really sell the moon colony. Afterall, if he belives that we should be managing the earth and not the other way around, the moon may be the only place we can live.

honested

February 20th, 2012
8:10 am

Chris,

It is worth noting that Glass-Steagall was passed to bring an end (at the time) to the sort of shenanigans that were allowed to occur again after it’s repeal.
All of the questionable self-dealing that caused the financial disaster can be linked (almost directly) to the repeal.
Unfortunately, it was the sort of law that the average person was completely unfamiliar with and in 2001, you could watch a person’s eyes glaze over while trying to explain it.
Whether they understand the value of sequestration of banking, investment and insurance, it should be obvious to anyone living here why doing so is necessary.

Road Scholar

February 20th, 2012
8:12 am

AJC:”A day after telling an Ohio audience that Obama’s agenda is based on “some phony theology, not a theology based on the Bible,” Santorum said he wasn’t criticizing the president’s Christianity.”

Does he know what Theology means? When using theology and the bible in the same sentence, they seem related. I mean as a leader in dominating government with religion, you would think he does!

Road Scholar

February 20th, 2012
8:17 am

Butch: While man was created in the image of God, and was given free choice, I don’t think God gave man carte blanche to maim and destroy life systems, the enviroment, etc. We are “renting” the earth, since we will be gone well before the earth is no more!

Hope you had a good weekend and a enjoyable President’s Day!

c sims

February 20th, 2012
8:18 am

Santorum would turn the USA into a “theocracy”?? Really? What has the Kenyan native Obama done? Added 6.5 trillion to the debt, taken liberties granted by the Constitution and tossed them out, told everyone that they will get his healthcare (regardless of its cost) and NOTHING else, told all our (former) allies that they are no longer our allies, appointed “ambassadors” to other countries who are merely gay-supporters and Marxist sympathizers. Oh, but having Santorum in office would be “so much worse”. Ya gotta love liberals, they think everyone else is wrong and they are the only ones with a brain. Trouble is, their theme song is the scarecrow’s “If I only had a Brain.” Liberals- are you a little scared Obama’s govt tit is going to go away?

honested

February 20th, 2012
8:23 am

c sims

Scared? Only if some nutcase like sans-scrotum gets to close to the ‘button’.

Becky

February 20th, 2012
8:24 am

c sims-when one says something like kenyan native in writing about the President, the rest of what you write is totally discounted. Just saying.

Lars

February 20th, 2012
8:27 am

qouteth santorum:”A aspirin betwixt every ladies knees and a chicken in every pot.”

Road Scholar

February 20th, 2012
8:30 am

c sims: Have you ever heard the phrase: Separation of chuch and state? Wasn’t the US created to provide religeous freedom? Practice YOUR religion and let others practice theirs…or none at all. Also doesn’t it say in the bible not to judge? Bless your little heart!

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:30 am

c sims – ” Oh, but having Santorum in office would be “so much worse”. Ya gotta love liberals, they think everyone else is wrong and they are the only ones with a brain.”

No one was defending Obama. I’m not a huge fan of Obama, however, that doesn’t mean that I’m just going to vote for anyone who comes along. Apparently you would, which is ironic considering your statement. And by the way, before you start throwing the “liberal” card around, you may want to know your audience a little better. I’m a former card carrying member of the GOP, and would be again if they could produce some decent candidates.

Frederick Douglass

February 20th, 2012
8:31 am

c sims @ 8:18

All of the chopped liver you’ve just delivered notwithstanding, the “Kenyan native” is still going to win handily in November.

Aquagirl

February 20th, 2012
8:31 am

In a country where the women out number the men, I can’t expect that Santorum can go far with his views on Birth Control, Abortion and women in the military.

Among women voters Obama kills Republican candidates, we’re talking around a 20 percent gap. Trashing half the population is not an election strategy.

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:33 am

Aquagirl – “Trashing half the population is not an election strategy.”

Not to worry, with supporters like c sims, I’m sure the election is in the bag for the Republicans. LOL

Miss Priss!

February 20th, 2012
8:37 am

I’ve been to some youth baseball and soccer games at First Redeemer, and let me tell you, the bathrooms in the concession building are God-forsaken disgusting. Every time I’ve been there. Satan must be the janitor. He’s doing a wonderful job.

Brosephus

February 20th, 2012
8:38 am

Cumming, Ga. — The rise of Rick Santorum and the return of social conservatism to the Republican presidential primary is an economic indicator that bodes well for most of the country, though perhaps not for Mitt Romney.

You might wanna tell Jennifer Rubin that. According to the WaPo’s Conservative pundit, she thinks otherwise….

Is Santorum the Sharon Angle of 2012?
By Jennifer Rubin

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/is-santorum-the-sharon-angle-of-2012/2012/02/18/gIQAdjU8LR_blog.html

Two stories surfaced last week that amount to a loud vote of no confidence in Rick Santorum as the GOP nominee. ABC News reports that a top Republican senator wants a new choice if Santorum wins Michigan. Why? “ ‘He’d lose 35 states,’ the senator said, predicting the same fate for Newt Gingrich.”

When Conservative politicians don’t have confidence in a candidate, that should be a sign of possible trouble on the horizon.

jconservative

February 20th, 2012
8:42 am

It is an election year and the party faithful are getting testy.

As always in a national election the big question is who will get the votes of that 8% of voters, the Independents? The last election they went for the liberal Obama. In 2004 they went for the liberal (moderate, if you prefer) George W Bush.

What will they do in 2012?

Becky

February 20th, 2012
8:45 am

So explain this to me, if all these repub candidates are rejected at their convention and a new candidate is brought in-what happens to the delegates already collected? Are they allowed to be transferred? Is there a drop dead date to have a candidate’s name on the ballot in November instead of a write in?

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:45 am

Bro – “When Conservative politicians don’t have confidence in a candidate, that should be a sign of possible trouble on the horizon.”

It should be, but unfortunately they’ll continue to lie to themselves in an attempt to make them feel better that the current batch of nominees will not be able to unseat Obama. And I say that as someone who neither voted for or is a big fan of thie current adminstration.

Local observer

February 20th, 2012
8:46 am

I was in attendance last night. Mr. Galloway’s emphasis is not what I came away with. He did speak about cultural issues, but only in passing. His emphasis was on the insidious nature of an ever-growing government and the creep of control when that happens.

I appreciate Sen. Santorum’s characterization of the Constitution being the “how” of America and the Declaration being the “why” of America – great way to say that.

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:47 am

Local observer – “His emphasis was on the insidious nature of an ever-growing government and the creep of control when that happens.”

I agree, which is why it’s so confusing that he promotes less government except for when a woman want birth control or the choice to have an abortion.

Get a Room

February 20th, 2012
8:48 am

Anyone notice there are only about a dozen names that ever write on this thing and some of those are likely duplicates having conversations with themselves.

Cutty

February 20th, 2012
8:49 am

Republicans were too busy under the Shrub passing tax cuts, NCLB, Medicare Part D and starting two wars. Why the party faithful really believes that a republican President cares about abortion, values, etc is beyond me. Nothing more than the Pavlov’s dog theory to get them riled up.

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
8:51 am

Get a Room – “Anyone notice there are only about a dozen names that ever write on this thing and some of those are likely duplicates having conversations with themselves.”

Anyone notice how many people post on here not knowing the audience that they are dealing with.

Aquagirl

February 20th, 2012
8:54 am

By Jennifer Rubin

It usually takes a woman to point out the obvious DOA status of a Santorum. I think guys talk politics in groups and many are completely oblivious that telling women to hold an aspirin between their knees is not taken as a passing comment. The world is not a giant locker room.

Get a Room

February 20th, 2012
8:54 am

It just appears to be a very small audience. Get a room.

Becky

February 20th, 2012
8:54 am

Local observer-was a love offering plate passed at the Santorum event?

John

February 20th, 2012
8:57 am

It is wrong for a church–any church–to turn a Sunday evening worship service into a campaign rally for a candidate for public office. A Sunday service in a church by any other name is a church event. This is MORALLY AND SPIRITUALY REPREHENSIBLE.

Centrist

February 20th, 2012
8:57 am

Read the blog and posts – have nothing to add, other than Santorum has NO CHANCE of being the Republican nominee. Neither does Gingrich or Paul. If those 3 are simply in it to block Romney to get a brokered convention, all they will accomplish is re-electing Obama by a huge landslide. Do they want Palin to step in?

Romney is still on track to get the necessary delegates. The northeast states, west coast states and probably Texas where he is strong would be about all he needs. Many primaries (like Georgia) are proportional in awarding delegates, so even where he does not win outright he gains delegates.

Mike

February 20th, 2012
9:00 am

Please, just not Mitt Romney. He’s a political sleaze,

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
9:02 am

“His emphasis was on the insidious nature of an ever-growing government and the creep of control when that happens.”

Did Santorum mention his part in all of that?

His YES vote for unfunded Medicare Part D?
His YES vote for unfunded No Child Left Behind?
His YES vote for the unfunded Iraq War?
His YES vote for the Bridge to Nowhere?
His YES vote for the Bush tax cuts?
His YES votes for his many earmarks?

Butch Cassidy

February 20th, 2012
9:03 am

Centrist – “Do they want Palin to step in?”

If they did that, they may as well pack up and try again in 2016. I’ve never understood how Sara Palin became the voice of reason for the GOP. Really? You basically cost your running mate the election, but then afterward your held up as one of the possible saviors of the party. If she couldn’t get elected as the co-pilot, what makes anyone think she could get the job of flying the plane?

DavidEm

February 20th, 2012
9:04 am

Now if we could just get the town to ban dancing…

George Hills

February 20th, 2012
9:24 am

Mr. Gingrich faces tough sledding here where his record of compromise & deceit was well-known when he was in Congress. Many gun owners won’t forgive him stabbing them in the back helping pass the 1996 misdemeanor gun ban. Gun control don’t hunt in Georgia.

Centrist

February 20th, 2012
9:27 am

It was McCain, not Palin who lost the last presidential election.

Monica

February 20th, 2012
9:30 am

pysh, he talks about social issues because he has no argument on fiscal issues – he’s been a fiscal moderate – at best, since he’s been in office.Middle way is no way indeed. Fiscally moderate view is not popular right now, not among Dems or Reps, so Santorum has no choice but to talk about this fluff. It won’t last, people are for now impressed that he dares to talk about issues no one has ever talked about in an election, but as the gas prices start skyrocketing, the prices of goods/food go up, some companies that rely on driving merchandise across the country will be forced to lay workers off, people will have less and less money, the economy will become stagnant again, and we’re back to talking about serious issues not contraceptives. Let’s be honest, it’s gonna have to be Gingrich unless we’ll finally have brokered convention.

BRW

February 20th, 2012
9:31 am

Ever notice how people like Get a Room post meaningless drivel on here just to see their “special handle” on the internet?

Aquagirl

February 20th, 2012
9:32 am

If you’re complaining in a blog on Rick Santorum’s Sunday follies about a Gingrich vote 15 years ago, you might want to put the guns away and seek psychiatric help.

Monica

February 20th, 2012
9:34 am

“Please, just not Mitt Romney. He’s a political sleaze,” – he is, he represents everything that is wrong with politicians. The only reason why he has more than 4% support is money, which just tells you how easily brain-washed some voters are. Wise up people, seriously.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
9:37 am

TooTheMisinformed

February 20th, 2012
9:38 am

@Becky
There was no offering plate passed….

@John
Redeemer does not have Sunday night services so this did not take the place of a scheduled Church Service. It took the place of what would usually be an empty building.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
9:40 am

Monica….Please explain your post in greater detail. Is it because he is rich (1%) that causes you not to like him?

yellowdog.

February 20th, 2012
9:40 am

ughhhhhhhhhhh; as i say about santorum women beware of the caveman………meantime all of these bozos need a hot bath!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Know It Alls

February 20th, 2012
9:45 am

I really get a kck out of reading the comments on this blog from those on both sides who are absolutely certain they…and only they…have all the answers. I guess it takes all kinds to make a world. As to who will be our next President only time and circumstances will tell…not the know it alls! Never count any one in or out this far from an election or you may have to eat your words. Heard they taste a little like crow!

Lars

February 20th, 2012
9:51 am

uga 1999,

I don’t like him cause he’s a prick like you.

Get a Room

February 20th, 2012
9:53 am

And on Nov 7, 2012, one huge group of know-it-alls will proclaim their super-knowledge and the pundit class will herald a mandate.

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
9:53 am

“There was no offering plate passed….”

If there was Santorum would have been good for a dollar.

td

February 20th, 2012
9:56 am

Lars

February 20th, 2012
9:51 am

uga 1999,

I don’t like him cause he’s a prick like you.

You do not like anyone besides your messiah and chief.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
9:57 am

Lars….Once again, someone from the left firing insults and having no facts to back up their claims. Great job!

DavidEm

February 20th, 2012
9:58 am

What sweater would Jesus wear?

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
10:03 am

“What sweater would Jesus wear?”

One with “Shock and Awe” bedazzled on the back.

yuzeyurbrane

February 20th, 2012
10:16 am

Actually, I am impressed by Santorum’s exhibition of historical knowledge. An earlier draft of the Declaration of Independence did say “life, liberty and property.” This stirred up quite a ruckus but not for the reasons Santorum states. It was merely because many of the founding fathers were among the wealthiest people in the colonies. Most of them wanted “property” to be mentioned. The “radicals” just wanted it eliminated. In a typical compromise, the Continental Congress came up with “pursuit of happiness” because it was an empty vessel to be filled by each perceiver’s imagination. Anyway, the deletion of the word “property” has often been used in legal arguments to justify social programs that are paid for by those more economically fortunate. It certainly had nothing to do with religion.

BMChristianConservative

February 20th, 2012
10:20 am

@worldprosperity

The answer to your first question (about why a church needs an auditorium) is so they can comfortably accomedate their 1000 (maybe 2000) plus members for Sunday services and the 3000 that can come out for other functions they sponsor (like Santorum’s speech). NOTHING WRONG W/ THAT! And is there anything wrong w/ a church or pastors having several millions dollars LESS than a typical Hollywood movie studio or a big name Hollywood actor? I say NOT AT ALL! I’ll never criticize a Hollywood studio’s $100 million budget to make a movie that mocks God so you shouldn’t criticize a church’s $10 million budget which in most cases feeds the hunger and helps the poor and down-trodden far better than any agency, charity or governing body! BTW $10 million is a very high church budget; most churches come nowhere close to that figure.

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
10:27 am

BM, what was the budget of Ted Haggard’s 20,000,000 strong church? How much of their budget was going to meth and male “massage” “therapists”?

Ashley Dawson

February 20th, 2012
10:29 am

Mr. V-neck is a throwback to the Ozzie and Harriet/Leave it to Beaver generation….not many fifty -three old men and women aspire to live like our parents and grandparents. He’ll have a hard time finding Donna Reed ’s pearls, high-heels and apron get up for todays (2st century) woman. The sooner he realizes most women are happy working outside the home and controlling their own body, the better off Mr. V-neck will be. Its about the economy and keeping us safe thats what I want from a president, not some preacher -boy views on his fellow Americans and what they do in the bedroom.

sheepdawg

February 20th, 2012
10:31 am

he’s in his element with a building full of right wing hate mongers, he should stick to the pulpit and give up on politics – which should not be mixed at all to begin with

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
10:35 am

DannyX….Are you referring to Eddie Long?

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
10:36 am

Sheepdawg….You need to read the constitution and research the men that wrote it. Then you really should look at who the party of hate is.

sheepdawg

February 20th, 2012
10:43 am

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
10:43 am

“DannyX….Are you referring to Eddie Long?”

Yes, him too. Of course.

Eddie Long organized a march against gay marriage a few years back. The march was held after the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage had already passed in Georgia. Eddie Long’s march was about securing funds from the Bush administration who was passing out money at the time to “faith based” institutions.

Long was kissing up to Bush. Long of course is another religious hypocrite.

Catholic priests too. How many collection plate dollars have been spent settling claims against Catholic priests? Millions.

Centrist

February 20th, 2012
10:44 am

Romney has been gaining in Michigan ever since Santorum got a media bump from those insignificant caucus wins. A poll out today has him even, and the trend points toward a Romney win a week from tomorrow:

February 20, 2012
Poll Watch: We Ask America Michigan Primary Survey

Romney – 29%
Santorum – 29%
Paul – 12%
Gingrich – 10%
Undecided – 20%

Survey of 1,025 likely primary voters was conducted Feb 19 and has a margin of error of +/-3.06%.

Among men, Santorum leads 32-27; among women Romney leads by the same 32-27 margin. However, 23% of women are undecided while only 13% of men are.

A Liberal in ATL

February 20th, 2012
10:47 am

Rectorum-Leader of The American Taliban

Papist Liberal

February 20th, 2012
10:47 am

But, but, but Ricks Catholic he can’t be mistaken in his views :-)

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
10:51 am

DannyX….See that is where the freedom of choice comes to play. You DO NOT have to give to a collection plate. You can choose not to. Or you can choose not to go to that church or not to go to church at all. This is what makes America great.

MADCOW

February 20th, 2012
10:52 am

Too bad we can’t get someone in the presidential office who has experience in management, understanding process flows in order to combine parts of the government that are wasting dollars, and has a history of success at getting things done by working with both sides of the aisle.

Oh wait…. We do have someone who is applying for the job: Mitt Romney.

The republican party is like a pack of Goldie Locks; this candidate is to hot, this candidate is too cold. Why can’t anyone see the future and just know that we need a fixit guy. We don’t need another visionary without any experience of executing a vission.

Mitt Romney 2012

Read His book, amigos. Read his book, “No Appologies”. Then, take your swings at the guy.

My 2 pesos worth

lefty_316

February 20th, 2012
10:53 am

It’s interesting that Santorum chose to bring up the Constitution in his speech. During his time in Congress he repeatedly showed he does not believe the 1st Amendment (Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion) applies to him. For example in 2001 he attached an amendment to the No Child Left Behind legislation that would have given schools the right to teach creationism (intelligent design) instead of real science. That amendment initially passed but was later scuttled by more sane and rational human beings. Nor does Santorum today believe in the Constitution; his comments about Obama’s theology are a direct assault on Article VI, Section 3 – no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust in the United States.

As a former (22 year) republican I long for the day when the social conservative agenda is thrown under the bus and the party gets back to the principles that made it a legitimate entity – small government, fiscal restraint and individual liberty. But as long as the social conservatives hold sway the party will continue to be irrelevant and keep marching on its merry way toward obsolescence.

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
10:56 am

“A poll out today”

“A poll out today,” never heard of that polling company. Do you mind filling us in?

sheepdawg

February 20th, 2012
10:56 am

UGA 1999 – Your advice on what i need is comical. Just go back to your church and pray for a viable gop candidate.

double

February 20th, 2012
10:58 am

Lars You know what they say P—-s have a head.

WTFrankenstein

February 20th, 2012
10:59 am

WHAT? Ignoring all questions of left vs right, are you SERIOUSLY comparing:

A for profit entertainment company (which, by the way typically has an operating budget of several BILLION much less as you point out up to $300 million on a single movie…

And a CHURCH which is a not for profit spiritual institution having a budget of a few million?

If you are comparing the size of one to the other in terms of budget, that’s one thing but you did it poorly.

But I find most telling the fact that you compare a church to a movie company. Shows a LOT about where your thought processes are.

Wow.

I think that post pretty much explained everything that is wrong about America right there.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:02 am

Sheepdawg….You mean like George Soros?

Centrist

February 20th, 2012
11:02 am

@ lefty_316 – You and I seem to be in agreement.

I’m wondering how you choose your screen name, especially since you were “a former (22 year) republican” and want the Republican “party gets back to the principles that made it a legitimate entity – small government, fiscal restraint and individual liberty.”

Sue

February 20th, 2012
11:03 am

What’s the difference between a porcupine and a church with santorum on the inside? The pricks are on the outside.

double

February 20th, 2012
11:04 am

Lars P—-s have heads…Mccain and Graham wanting to arm syria rebels.Here we go again with another war started by the Democrats.

Bobby

February 20th, 2012
11:06 am

I might go vote for Santorum next Tuesday. That will guarantee Obama for 4 more years. Richard Lee is no more a Christian preacher than the Ayatollah Khomeini was a Muslim Iman. Both are bigots and neither according to the Bible will enter the Kingdom of God. As for Santorum, he’s just a nut case.

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
11:08 am

Centrist- “I’m wondering how you choose your screen name,”

How ironic…

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]

Devo

February 20th, 2012
11:09 am

GW popped the conservatives cherry when it comes to free markets by bailing out all Wall Street.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:10 am

Bobby….Are you also referencing Jeremiah Wright?

Slater

February 20th, 2012
11:14 am

In college, Mrs. Santorum porked a rich abortion doctor 30 yrs. her senior. Capitalism at it’s finest.

Becky

February 20th, 2012
11:14 am

uga 1999-you invited us to your church and then rescinded (look it up) the invitation. Why????

lefty_316

February 20th, 2012
11:17 am

Centerist – not for my politics, simply because I play golf left handed the nickname stuck.

I’m an old school Goldwater conservative. I quit the GOP when attorney general Ashcroft told the state of Oregon their death with dignity act, which voters had passed twice, wasn’t valid. It offended his religious beliefs. That was the last straw.

shame

February 20th, 2012
11:18 am

I’m disgusted that the right-wing kooks have hijacked Jesus’ beautiful message of love/acceptance and turned into a pungent message of division/hate.

aborted fetus

February 20th, 2012
11:20 am

Life’s not so bad in purgatory. I get 3 squares a day and have play dates with other fetuses.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:20 am

Becky…You are more than welcome to attend my church…..12stone.com

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:20 am

shame…..explain.

Jibouti

February 20th, 2012
11:23 am

Santorum wants to bitch-slap Mother Earth.

Sven

February 20th, 2012
11:25 am

Here’s your sign:”It says in the bible….”

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:26 am

You guys are hilarious! Thanks for the laughs.

decatur stew

February 20th, 2012
11:26 am

uga,

Ya’ll make some pretty good ice cream.

DannyX

February 20th, 2012
11:27 am

“shame…..explain.”

UGA, did your church teach you to call Michelle Obama an ape?

Red

February 20th, 2012
11:31 am

Does the Catholic church advise it’s priests to go condomless when molesting chiildren?

[...] 70-minute address last night declared that the right to pursue happiness was in fact the right “to do the morally right thing.” After the meeting, early this morning, state Sen. David Shafer, the chairman of the Santorum effort [...]

The Canadian

February 20th, 2012
11:32 am

WOW!!..watching from Canada we are simply amazed to see how many people support Rick “THE POPE”…where are these people coming from??…and what are they thinking???..the guy is a complete moron!…an idiot!!….and a loose cannon!!…but, I guess that is what is to be expected from the “tea Party” types!..keep up the retoric, as we Canadians and all Democrats are laughing, and laughing at this guy!…you folks are sure making it easier for Obama, indeed your second trem president will prevail…and that “nut” Santorum will fade into his “fantasy world”.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:32 am

DannyX…..That was HILARIOUS! Wow you are a racist!

Samuel L. Jackson

February 20th, 2012
11:33 am

“I only voted for Obama because he is black!”

LDS Insider

February 20th, 2012
11:35 am

We’re all really excited to get to the convention. I know everyone is going to be excited when Romney announces his running mate: Elizabeth Smart.

Jeremy

February 20th, 2012
11:37 am

I’m a christian, and have myself done plenty of hypocritical bashing against “super churches” such as this. I since have felt guilty, realizing that I myself am not putting Jesus’s words and actions into practice myself, and when I look up the missions page on this church, they are actively involved in helping the poor (much more so than me). Churches need a place of meeting (look at Mayor Bloomber in NYC, banning church functions in schools), and if it’s big and new then big woop. There is a practical side to things.
What it comes down to is it’s so easy to judge everyone/everything except YOURSELF.

Becky

February 20th, 2012
11:47 am

Nobody answered my question from page 1 to what happens to the delegates when the party throws the fab four out.

uga 1999-you attend an online church???? this explains so much.

Samuel L. Jackson

February 20th, 2012
11:50 am

Becky….There you go again with your assumptions…..Nice Job…..very typical.

missmollie

February 20th, 2012
11:53 am

I can’t believe a SBC would host something like this??? Word has it that this church was founded
in Cumming, Ga during the J B Stoner and Lester Maddox Era??? Apparently, RS has the wrong advisor on Georgi politics….If he has limited funds….this was a bad move, IMO.

UGA 1999

February 20th, 2012
11:54 am

Samuel…..I can speak for myself. Please do not speak for me…..

ArewDrord

February 20th, 2012
12:00 pm

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missmollie

February 20th, 2012
12:11 pm

Could this have been a set up to help Georgia’s favorite son??? WOW!!! Pretty dirty, IMO…

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]

ab

February 20th, 2012
12:29 pm

UGA why is that so funny? You said it.

[...] 70-minute address last night declared that the right to pursue happiness was in fact the right “to do the morally right thing.” After the meeting, early this morning, state Sen. David Shafer, the chairman of the Santorum effort [...]

Mark

February 20th, 2012
1:34 pm

Rick Santorum is fooling all the Tea Party that is voting for him. He is no small government conservative. He voted to raise the debt limit 5 times. He voted for no child left behind, for the bailouts and for expanded Medicare prescription drug benefits. Santorum would expand the government into your bedroom in ways you never thought possible.

honested

February 20th, 2012
1:45 pm

Everyone voting next Tuesday in hopes that one of the Clown Car Circus is on the ballot in November, please vote for santorum, it will save so much money.

crankee_yankee

February 20th, 2012
1:47 pm

The basic problem, as I see it, is how dependant many of these far right religious types are on their ministers to tell them how to think. Almost as if it is too difficult to form a thought on thier own.
They want some nice neat opinion to spout so they don’t need to go through the messy process of thinking through the facts & formulating their own.
The questions asking about tax exempt status are, I think, very valid, this ilk of minister believes they can do and say whatever they want and if their tax exempt status is called into question, they will wrap up their indignation in a religious veil & cry foul.
Just to be fair, the far left is as guilty as the far right on this count. The right just seems to be more vocal currently.
God save us from the fanatics.

Obama Himself

February 20th, 2012
2:00 pm

Ha ha ha ha ha – good to see that all of my mind control has worked. Now, anyone who mentions that I have yet to produce an actual ORIGINAL birth cert. will be laughed at. Gee, everyone else has their original – but not me. In fact, my BC, has 3 (THREE) different fonts on it – in an age when they only used a typewriter. How many fonts does a typewriter have?? One. That is the beauty of my mindless party of Socilalists – they could care less as long as you feed them. Gotta love that Socialism!!!

Armyfamily

February 20th, 2012
2:06 pm

Fantastic job last night – The Santorum platform is one that address directly the core issues our country is grappling with… I dare say he reminds me of JFK and the next great hope to return this country and its families to greatness both fiscally and socially.

Harry Paulms

February 20th, 2012
2:10 pm

At least this settles once and for all that the Tea Party is actually a collection of vapid “Moral Majority” types who used the economy as cover for their true motivation, which was social re-engineering.

Same as it ever was.

Obama Himself

February 20th, 2012
2:58 pm

The Moral Majority is doing the social reengineering. Really??? Gosh, I guess I was wrong when I recognized the Socialism in all of Hussein Obama’s programs. I guess I am just not “innovative” as he is. Gee, I can not WAIT to see what he will do next? Let’s see – Obama makes religions ignore their beliefs and support abortion – done. He set up a whopper of a new Socialistic medical system based on his Muslim beliefs – done. He has installed pro-gay and pro-Muslim people in every job he can – done. He laughs off any comment on these “great” programs because he thinks he is the smartest guy on earth-done. And all of this is due to the conservatives? Wow, even for liberals that is one whale of a tale. Add that and global warming to the “evolution is the absolute correct (theory) of the entire universe” and you are in liberal “nirvana”. oooooeeeeeeee!!

[...] 70-minute residence final night announced that a right to pursue complacency was in fact a right “to do a implicitly right thing.” After a meeting, early this morning, state Sen. David Shafer, a management of a Santorum bid in [...]

crankee_yankee

February 20th, 2012
3:07 pm

Ignorance is bliss…

TallaDawg

February 20th, 2012
3:19 pm

I am a Christian, and Rick Santorum DEEPLY offends me and embarrasses me. He is an example of the worst kind of psuedo-Christian who only reads small excerpts from the Bible and uses them out of context to his advantage.

crankee_yankee

February 20th, 2012
3:25 pm

@Talla…

That is what the good people of Pennsylvania figured out which is why he no longer represents them.

Ginger

February 20th, 2012
3:40 pm

Santorum winning the Republican nomination for President will be a bigger gift to the Democrats than McCain picking Palin as his running mate. Go Santorum! Us Dems are rooting for you.

makensense

February 20th, 2012
4:19 pm

To Madcow:

Through all the madness, hate, and vulgar comments on this story, thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel better now that I know someone else out there get’s it. Romney is the answer, but I am not sure many are ready to actually vote on the issues and someone who actually might be President instead of play President.

History Will Teach Us if We Will Learn

February 20th, 2012
5:05 pm

“The core of Santorum’s lengthy talk was the link between the unalienable rights cited by the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. In particular, Santorum discussed the use of the word “happiness” in the Declaration of Independence, rather than the right to pursue “life, liberty and property.” Said Santorum:

”Property is just stuff. And America isn’t just about pursuing stuff. That’s one of the problems I have sometimes with our fellow conservatives, is that all we talk about — ‘Oh, Rick, presidential candidates just focus on stuff. Focus on taxing and spending, the economy. Don’t talk about anything else. Just focus on stuff. That’s what Americans really care about.’”

While what Mr. Santorum said sounds good in a church on Sunday night, it ignores the context and time in which the Declaration of Independence was written. Prior to the writing of the Declaration, only the propertied had rights based on English common law. Basically, you either owned property or you were property. The right to vote, to a trial, or even a hearing before the king was vested soley in property owners. So, when T. Jefferson originally wrote about men being endowed by their creator with certain inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of “property”, he was saying men want those things that give them standing before the King and government. Ben Franklin reasoned that if a man had property, he had rights and therefore had happiness, and anyway it sounded better. So in 1776 by their Declaration to King George, property/happiness wasn’t about the acquisition of “stuff”, IT was about the rights men enjoyed ordained by their Creator not from a despot on a throne in England. The Constitution furthered the notion that government derived its authority from the consent of the governed, not by devine right as the King did.
Class is over. There will be a quiz on Friday

NotMe

February 20th, 2012
8:49 pm

This church should not get tax exempt status.

Joesnopy

February 20th, 2012
9:09 pm

It is just sad to see the GOP today. First thing I shoud say. I am voting for Obama but the best person running in the GOP camp is NEWT. Newt has great ideas but it is just plain sad people from his own state will not vote for Newt. Yes Gerogia GOP will vote for Rick the worst leader in the whole bunch. Like I said Newt knows how to run Gov. The GOP keep voting for people who do not what to and who do not know how to ran GOV. Well I think Mitt can do it but he would not be as good as Newt.

Joesnopy

February 20th, 2012
9:11 pm

But to tell the truth people. I am voting for Obama but will go out and vote for Rick in the primary since I know he would be the worst one going up against Obama.

[...] 20th, 2012 → 8:52 pm @ admin // No Comments Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Rick Santorum and the pursuit of happinessAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)In particular, Santorum [...]