Santorum the Christian Socialist

I’m glad people are >finally realizing that Senator Santorum (R-PA) isn’t a conservative, so much as a populist (or authoritarian, or communatarian, as is your bent). The man supports higher minimum wage, ending the death penalty, and protectionism. On the conservative side he is indeed very outspoken, but only on social authoritarian issues.

In fact, his recent pronouncements on creationism in schools were kind of a turning point for my view of him. Ie, he said it was a stupid idea, betraying the party line of his President and what his base believes in, because well, he knows it’s a stupid idea (as anyone in elected office does). He really is a principled politician (random pork non-withstanding)… it’s just usually for principles that the left finds intolerable.

The liberal blogsphere is repeating the meme that Republicans promise the government doesn’t work and when they get elected they proceed to show this. Again, it’s important to realize this is only on economic and social-assistance matters, and you could say the same about Democrats and the military or justice department. But there is a divide, which is to say:

Populists say “vote me into power so I can give myself more power.”
Libertarians say “vote me into power so I can mess it up.”

Ewwws all around.

PS: /whisper libertarians: Santorum and his widespread popular following is once again evidence that really, you guys are over-represented among the elite and the exact opposite of your views is the most politically successful combination. Watch out for that.