The Creeping Fascism of American Politics

FOCUS: States Unite Against Citizens United

Dimon's Deja Vu Debacle

Cut It Out: An Open Letter to Black Bloc Anarchists

This Is What Tyranny Looks Like

Excerpt: "Santorum said, 'I'm not about equality of result when it comes to income inequality. There is income inequality in America. There always has been and, hopefully, and I do say that, there always will be.' Unbelievable. Maybe not, but stunning all the same."

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum recently told a crowd in Detroit that he 'hopes income inequality will always exist.' (photo: AP)

Santorum's Gospel of Inequality

By Charles M. Blow, The New York Times

19 February 12

"Santorum Praises Income Inequality."

That was Fox News's headline about Rick Santorum's speech at the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday. Santorum said, "I'm not about equality of result when it comes to income inequality. There is income inequality in America. There always has been and, hopefully, and I do say that, there always will be."

Unbelievable. Maybe not, but stunning all the same.

Comments

We are concerned about a recent drift towards vitriol in the RSN Reader comments section. There is a fine line between moderation and censorship. No one likes a harsh or confrontational forum atmosphere. At the same time everyone wants to be able to express themselves freely. We'll start by encouraging good judgment. If that doesn't work we'll have to ramp up the moderation.

General guidelines: Avoid personal attacks on other forum members; Avoid remarks that are ethnically derogatory; Do not advocate violence, or any illegal activity.

Remember that making the world better begins with responsible action.

- The RSN Team

+51 # pernsey 2012-02-19 13:50

Santorum belongs in a sanitorium...hes a right wing nut job!

+55 # Rockiey57 2012-02-19 15:32

Since he feels that way let's take away the free health-care he and his family enjoy and his yearly free money we the taxpayers give him. That will help cut the budget and give ricky a wake up to how taxpayers live.

+55 # Rick Levy 2012-02-19 17:13

It's one thing to believe in income inequality if every one has the same opportunity for a shot at the brass ring and some don't even strive to succeed.

It's quite another when the wealthy pull up the ropes after themselves to keep the less fortunate on the lower rungs, no matter how hard they work.

+34 # Scolopendra 2012-02-19 18:10

Income inequality is not in and of itself bad. It's basically inevitable.

Massive income inequality is most certainly bad. It destabilizes societies in ways that have been historically proven over the years by revolution after bloody revolution.

+18 # angelfish 2012-02-19 21:27

Santorum is not only a Fanatical Religious Zealot, he is a GOP, which is, a Gumption-less Oligarch Personified! It's one thing to be a Bigot, it's an ENTIRELY different thing to be an IGNORANT one and unable to learn! He ENJOYS his Fanatical Ignorance and doesn't see anything wrong with his belief system! He is a poor, deluded fool and, with God's help, will NEVER win the nomination for President!

+34 # Archie1954 2012-02-19 21:39

Santorum's comment about, always been inequality in income, is true but he never mentioned that it has never throughout history, been this unequal since the middle ages when serfs slaved for the barons. That is what is so devestating to America as a whole. No society can continue to prosper or expand benefits to its members if gross inequities, such as we see in America today, are allowed to grow ever more disparate.

+17 # freeportguy 2012-02-19 22:02

To assess that ther is inequality is one thing... To actually HOPE there will always be is another...

It's like telling everybody else: there is no hope you will improve your situation. At best, you will remain at the same place in the economic ladder.

+22 # X Dane 2012-02-20 01:02

Santorum our own little Taliban would certainly bomb Iran if we were crazy enough to let him in the White House. He and his followers are itching to end the world.
Those fools think they are going to heaven. They are every bit as fanatic as the Arab Taliban. There are a lot of these fundamentalists .

I saw a program some time ago and one woman, interviewed, said that she would like to see the world end, today rather than tomorrow, she would happily see her children die. We are seeing Jones town here folks. That is the Santorum followers, maybe not all, but an awful lot.

+14 # rcossebo 2012-02-20 02:32

The mans an idiot and a joke! Puhleez! Anyone who'd give him credit for anything has got to be put away with him. I understand they have some nice facilities for the mentally insane!

+13 # Bruce Gruber 2012-02-20 04:59

We may be being too harsh regarding 'poor' be-vested Rick. After all, he first has to pander to the socially inept and intellectually adolescent 1% supporter who funds Rick's superpac (prresumably with dividends from Bayer stock).

Then he has to identify with the angry, frightened, spiteful bigots that were ginned up by Rovarian 'division' politics. They demand, with 'thumbs down' that their half black President be drawn and quartered.

Lastly, there is Rick's compulsion to carry forward the righteous moral Crusades of his faith against unrepentant 'others'. Santorem's personal views have been meshed with carefully selected scripture to produce indignation, if not condemnation, against the 'evil' of those who do not agree with him on a significant number of issues of public policy.

That's a LOT of external baggage for a virulent partisan politician to balance against potential Presidential responsibility "...to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" on behalf of ALL the citizens of this nation. It may be we are expecting more of him than is fair or logical to assume.

+16 # fredboy 2012-02-20 05:31

Santorum's hatred of those slammed by financial corruption shows an absence of empathy. His hatred of our Earth, humanity's only life source, shows his shortsighted fatalistic yearnings. Put them together and you spell sociopath.

+1 # angelfish 2012-02-21 14:04

Quoting

Santorum's hatred of those slammed by financial corruption shows an absence of empathy. His hatred of our Earth, humanity's only life source, shows his shortsighted fatalistic yearnings. Put them together and you spell sociopath.

Well said, Fred. Well said, Indeed!

+25 # ruttaro 2012-02-20 06:24

Who would have thought at this point in our history, that a significant part of the American electorate buys into Santorum's world view. When we had a 70% marginal tax rate and we taxed investment income at a higher rate America looked like this: 1) we had no unmanageable deficit; 2) our public education system was envied around the world; 3) most research, invention and innovation that started here (thanks to education); 4) we had good jobs with defined pensions plans and company provided health care; 5) we had a large middle class; 6) our children were assured of a better future; 7) our economy produced things; 8) Congress worked towards consensus; 9) campaigns cost little compared to today's; 10) income inequality existed but the gap was small and economic social mobility was a reality. None of this exists today because with Reagan our government used tax policy to benefit the wealthy changing our society for the worse. The plutocracy continues to control our government making beneficial policies for the plutocrats. The decimation of the middle class results with growing gaps in inequality. Crush the middle class to eek out the last drops of wealth like grapes under the press! Santorum knows the wealth creation is due to financializatio n by tax policy. How telling that I guess the only equality he recognizes is that Jesus was crucified with two thieves. The Romans were at least egalitarian in application. And people on the edge applaud him. Go Rick, Go..to hell.

+10 # Holyone 2012-02-20 08:18

Santorum has a view of the world that is split from reality, and Christianity. He wants to force his twisted views on the rest of the World because he basically thinks he is God Almighty Himself.

Rick truly believes he is God. The last guy who thought this had a rather long descent. Rick your landing, nor those who support you, will not be a soft one.

+10 # pegasus4508 2012-02-20 09:36

I WANT Santorum to win the GOP nomination. WHY? This is a conversation we as a nation MUST have. WE must decide what kind of country we are, what kind of people we are and how we plan to get to our next level,it could be a level up, or back to the 18ths century. Either the 49% who are selfish, self centered and all about themselves will win, and take all of us down with them OR, the people who are inclusive, generous of mind and spirit, who want what is best for everyone will win, lifting everyone with THEM! Santorum will have to actually state POLICIES, not bible quotes, real solutions, not sound bites. Should be a most interesting conversation.
Thanks for reading!

+3 # ruttaro 2012-02-20 16:17

For example, he might want to explain how his being against same sex marriage is good for the economy. He said "Strong families make for strong economies." OK, then I would love to see how his logic works on that one. I know a lot of strong families (traditional in Santorum's view) who were devastated/destroyed by the recession. I know of strong traditional families that fell apart after they lost their work and homes while Wall Street execs went out shopping for their Christmas Ferrari. I want to hear Sanctimonious Santorum show me how this all relates to same sex marriage. My only fear about your hope for his winning the GOP is that we could end up with the screw balls in power once again. There are four things that could derail Obama's reelection. 1) Israel attacks Iran (Israeli right wing don't trust Obama so it could happen); 2) Greece goes down and with it the Euro; 3) Jittery investors and oil speculators drive the price of crude to above $115. Any of these or a combination would send us back into a deep recession. Then the "God-is-Great" fanatics will ride in, Bible in one hand and more corporate largess in the other. And number 4) left wing and OWS participants sit this election out because their anger with Obama (rightly) blinds their pragmatism. As much as I don't respect the "castrati" Romney, he is indeed a safer opponent. BTW, if there is a heaven and guys like Falwell, Robertson and Santorum go there, doesn't hell look pretty good?

+2 # X Dane 2012-02-20 21:52

No ruttaro the schnooks you mentioned are going straight to hell, for they were.... and some are ...nasty sons of b.... trying to look holier than thou. It ain't working.
Remember Jimmy Swaggert?? Oh my God there was a grade A super jerk. Since I am a lady I can't write what I REALLY think of him. and Jimmy Baker, and Tammy Fay??

+1 # ruttaro 2012-02-21 21:00

X Dane, I'll never forget the weeping Swaggert begging for forgiveness from his "fool"lowers. Anyone could see right through that phoney chunk of human sewage he is. And it was right after he condemned Clinton for his affair with Lewinsky. Phoney, lying hypocrite he and the rest of them are, they believe they are heading for heaven. Swaggert, Falwell, Robertson, and Santorum are enough to convince me that I'd rather be anywhere they are not. Just as their preaching of hatred turns my stomach their presence in heave will it into hell as sure as they turn my stomach.

0 # X Dane 2012-02-22 13:15

ruttaro, what blew me away, was the fact, that so many ....poor people,.. who had sent him money....CONTINUED to do so?? even after hearing what utter scum he was?
UNBELIEVABLE. How do you explain THAT??

+1 # Karlus58 2012-02-21 07:35

I double down on my vote for you!

+1 # Karlus58 2012-02-21 07:34

You have my vote!

+8 # mike/ 2012-02-20 10:18

just another proof that Santorum is NOT christian! his Jesus, his Jesus says '

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’? Matthew 25:-40

+10 # Bruce Gruber 2012-02-20 11:46

And so, verily, Christ taught those who would listen that the application of one's skills, achievements, productivity and dreams be maximized on behalf of All. To reach the ultimate positive result from your efforts (and that is NOT 10%, Mitt. Not 5% to the United Way to keep other needy knockers from your door. "I gave at the office!" is NOT the charity taught by Christ. Heaven is 100% living the life of empathy, charity and inclusiveness in word and deed. Outcomes of your actions (beyond PROFIT) DO matter.

Kindness, comfort, sustainability, sharing, community effort, support and mutuality - that is heaven. What is the devil's hell, Mr. super christian? It is greed! It is self-serving righteousness that allows one to apply narrowly parsed, 2000 year old, thrice interpreted, politically correctED dogma as divine. It is the abomination of divisive "my faith is more better than yours" superiority. It is the primitive inclination to 'defeat' competitors rather than celebrate the act of competing.

Righteous, self-indulgent 'crap' was totally repudiated by the founders of the United States. Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Adams would all be rejected by today's Christians for their failure to genuflect to current interpretations of Christ's teachings. To a man they demonstrated that one should learn and understand, not memorize and quote..

+3 # L mac 2012-02-20 16:46

This man expects the people of the U.S. to elect him President. Really, I mean really?

+2 # ruttaro 2012-02-20 17:34

Just needs 271 electoral votes. The probabilities change in that dynamic. And don't forget, the motivated right wing radio kool-aid drinkers, the Tea Party in their tricorner hats, and the cynical Rover-ers are going to have boatloads of money to convince Americans that Obama is a European/stealth Muslim (right wing radio is amping up the "Hussein" middle name again) /Kenyan/not-born here socialist who got us into two wars (Limbaugh said that) and who is destroying Christian America. With all that money and all this nonsense, and the peeved left sitting it out, then 271 electoral votes is not that far-fetched. When "W" was elected we were the laughing stock of the world. Then again, maybe American voters are secretly comedians and anything for a laugh.

+2 # ozken 2012-02-20 17:13

Straight out of the Bible. "You always have the poor with you." Hopefully we won't have Sicktorum with us for much longer as a Presidentail contender. The man is a nutter.

Jesus of course meant that you should help the poor ungrudgingly and not be tight fisted or moralising about it either.

+2 # Bruce Gruber 2012-02-21 11:51

From another post:

Every once in a while I drift into the fantasy that these "social values" moralists actually BELIEVE the spittle and foam they project.

Then I sink back into the fetid reality of Donald Segretti, the 'patriotic' untruthiness of the Swift Boaters, false equivalency of SCOTUS simultaneous "free" and "corporate" speech, Rovarian division politics, and the Moral Majority, Tea Party or (How in hell DO or CAN you?) "Restore Our Future" ... what does that MEAN?

I guess superPACmen - Adelson, Friess, Simmons, the Koch Brothers and a few dozen other patrons - significantly influence virtually ALL of this ART of political propaganda. The "special" nature of their INTERESTS generally defines the direction, intensity and enthusiasm of their 'investments' in government. The impact of their voice does drown out the murmurs of those who OCCUPY the underclass.

Acceptance of this SURREALITY is problematic. It seems likely that righteous whores are not stupid. They know who they are screwing AND who is paying for it. They don't represent me and I have little respect for their 'pimps'. It is unlikely that ANY of them have a clue about "representative" democracy.

-1 # keelhaul 2012-02-21 22:39

Wow, this is the finest collection of hate speech I have seen in a while. Name-calling, judging -or rather utter condemnation of a man. This quote that is stirring up such vitriol is taken out of context. He is simply indicating that he does not support the concept that every person should make exactly the same wage. That would be communism in its purest state. His quote does not mean that he necessarily supports poverty or immoral levels of inequality, just that there will be inequality. And we do believe in inequality, that the one who works harder and makes a greater contribution to the economy should receive a greater reward than one who chooses to make a lesser contribution. The one who starts and manages a business should earn more than the one who chooses the laziest job he can find. There is nothing worthy of condemnation in such an idea. What is worthy of condemnation is the reading into the statement of meaning that was not intended.

0 # X Dane 2012-02-22 13:09

keelhaul, well That remark, taken alone, may not be so wrong, but I think, what has the blood boil in most of us, is all the OTHER disgusting remarks Santorum has made.

The fact that he wants to turn the clock waaaaay back and take away the rights of women, among MANY other sick ideas he has, and his way of using religion to divide the country makes us ANGRY.

I observed him when he was in the senate. (on C-SPAN). He was a piece of dirt, and I was really happy when he was thrown out. He lost by 18-19 points. That is thrown out, in my book.

Santorum is the one, who engineered the whole Terry Chiavo debacle. He called all the senators back in session, even Bush came back from cutting brush on the ranch....all to write a LAW to keep ONE brain-dead woman breathing.

That was UTTERLY disgusting, and THAT is why he was thrown out of the senate, and one of the MANY reason we all here hate his guts

-1 # keelhaul 2012-02-22 20:07

X Dane, your response is refreshingly level-headed, all except that bit about calling someone a piece of dirt. Name-calling does not strengthen one's arguments. And just because I disagree with someone's philosophy, I should not degrade their personhood.

Regarding his actions in the Schiavo case, why did he choose to get involved and do what he did? He acted because he values human life and saw an action on the part of Terri's husband to end her life. An effort to end another human being's life is also known as murder. Aside from all the legal twists and turns, I see that his value is that human life is worth something.

If we argue that human life is only worth something if it meets someone's definition of quality of life, (i.e. brain dead, or even preborn) whose definition do we rule by? And what if that authority determines that my life or yours no longer meets their definition of quality of life, then we could be labelled a burden on society and therefore eliminated by the will of another.

Life is sacred. And while some think he was meddling, I respect him for taking action on the principle of defending human life. And if by "taking away rights" you mean that Mr. Santorum is interested in taking away the right to an abortion, please consider this: My right to throw a punch ends at the tip of someone else's nose. And I believe that the right to have an abortion crosses the line in its effect of destroying another human life.

-1 # keelhaul 2012-02-22 20:18

If by exercising my rights, I harm another human being, that right should be restricted. I do not have the right to harm another human being (except the usual disclaimers of personal defense etc.). I support Mr. Santorum in his opposition to abortion. I even support his opposition to birth control, and I support his position (that is not taking away any rights) that access to birth control should not be forbidden.

I regret that forums like these seem to degrade from intelligent conversations into rude and disrespectful rantings even among such highly educated people as those who frequent this site. And yes, conservatives are equally guilty of degrading speech. Though I may disagree with some of your views, I pledge to be respectful in intelligent discussion of the issues.

I hope he makes it into the White House.

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post.

THE NEW STREAMLINED RSN LOGIN PROCESS: Register once, then login and you are ready to comment. All you need is a Username and a Password of your choosing and you are free to comment whenever you like! Welcome to the Reader Supported News community.

rsn

Name:	*
Username:	*
E-mail:	*
Password:	*
Confirm password:	*
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.