Santorum Speech in Shelby – Reagan Democrat Country

After speaking to the Economic Club in Detroit and keynoting the dinner in Novi February 16, Rick Santorum spoke in Shelby Township the next day to 1500 people. Arriving at the banquet hall five minutes after the doors opened, the parking lot was nearly full. When we got through security all the seats were taken, so we stood with friends in the back corner while the staff set up more chairs.

The Men of Grace sang while we waited; the event began with the pledge of allegiance and national anthem, with Pastor Kent Clark of Grace Centers of Hope giving the invocation.  Then Glenn Clark introduced the former Senator as his personal choice for the next President, having first heard him several years ago give the best speech with conservative principles since Ronald Reagan.

Santorum spoke without notes about why he’s running for President. A main reason is the large reach of government resulting from Obamacare. When Margaret Thatcher left office, she said her biggest regret was that she was not able to restore Britain the way Ronald Reagan had restored Americans’ confidence in America. The biggest roadblock was their National Health Care system, since 100% of the people are dependent on the government for their medical care.

He said much is made of nearly 50% of Americans paying no income tax or receiving some form of government assistance. The reason many Democrats supported Obamacare knowing that it would end their political careers is because government health insurance is a game changer making everyone dependent on the government for intimate and personal decisions. Just give us your freedom and we’ll provide for you.

He said America has changed from when he grew up and defense and entitlement spending have reversed places in our federal budget. In 1965 defense spending was 2.5% of GDP and entitlements were 7.4% of GDP. Today, despite two wars, defense spending is only 5% of GDP while entitlements have grown to 10% of GDP and 56% of the federal budget. It’s critical that we tackle entitlement spending or by 2049 it will consume all tax revenues, crippling the next generation. He has a comprehensive plan to tackle the Big 3 entitlements (Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid) as well as others.

When asked if he would pledge to make Washington as poor as the rest of the country, he said he has promised to propose budgets that cut real spending each year for five years. While he said the election would turn on economics and jobs, the more important question is what kind of country we are turning over to future generations.

The founders of our country pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They knew that if they didn’t hang together, they would surely hang separately. He spoke of the greatest generation, those who fought WW2, who rose to the call when their country needed them, doing their duty with little fanfare. Each generation has its own challenges, and ours needs to rise to the call. He asked us to stand on our honor – the honor of a nation that has given us so much – to pass liberty on to the next generation.

He said this is the most important election since 1860. Michigan has the chance to speak loudly February 28 by voting for a candidate who will stand against the Wall Street bailouts, Cap & Trade, and has a record that contrasts with the President. Or we can vote for someone who can just manage Washington a little better.

He spoke of our founding principles in the Declaration of Independence: the foundational rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that come from a Creator and not from government. He said happiness in those days was defined as doing the morally right thing, not mere private property rights.

America formed a good and just society from the bottom up, not the top down, and we transformed the world. When we were founded, life expectancy was 35-40 years, unchanged in 1800 years of kings ruling people like pawns on a chess board. In the next 235 years, life expectancy in America and the world doubled.

People were not criticized for being successful; many of the buildings in eastern Michigan are named for the 1%, who not only became wealthy but helped others make a lot of money.

Later he answered questions about why he lost the 2006 election. He said it was a bad year for Republicans everywhere and said “Look who you reelected in 2006.” He also pointed to his underdog victories in previous elections in heavily Democratic districts where he was outspent and said he knows how to run an efficient campaign and overcome Obama’s large war chest in the fall election.

He also addressed foreign policy during the Q&A, noting the danger of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and that the Obama administration is not doing enough to stop them. He said Iran is a major exporter of terrorism and the main manufacturer of the IEDs that are killing our troops in Afghanistan.

Everyone listened politely; there were no hecklers. Not everyone was convinced, but afterwards many stayed to pick up campaign material and sign up to volunteer. Santorum’s campaign opened an office at 700 East Big Beaver in Troy on Saturday; hours are 9-9 until February 28 for those who would like to volunteer.