In God They Vote

I don't profess to be an expert on Republican politics. Or, honestly, most politics in general.

But there's been one defining issue that some members of the GOP continue to pursue that just drives me batty about their platform in general:

Religion.

And Rick Santorum nearly took Iowa because of it.

It hit me as I was flipping through the news channels Tuesday night and happened upon Jim Bob Duggar giving his endorsement of Santorum -- mostly because of his strong Christian values.

Great. Really. Good for everyone out there who has strong Christian values. I'm glad that those values serve your life well.

Just keep them to yourself. And keep them out of my government.

I've mentioned before my agnostic ways. And I'm sure there are many who will pray for me to find my way to Jesus. Appreciate it. Religion can have its place in society.

But as the deciding factor in an election? Can we please not?

As Republicans are wont to mention, this is America. The land of the free. But to elect someone who is pushing an agenda that includes having as many kids as God will provide -- all blessings, I'm sure -- and saying that people who want to prevent unnecessary births -- or say, complications from having so many kids in a row -- aren't good people ... well, that doesn't sound so free to me.

I don't care what side of the moral compass you fall on in these cases. There are plenty of simple, fair and medically safe ways for people to pursue whatever family planning options they would like. Condoms, birth control, vasectomies -- and, in extreme cases, abortions -- should all be safe and legal options for everyone. And no one, especially the government, should have the right to take any of them away because of their morality or religion in a completely free society.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Santorum's nephew wrote this while supporting Ron Paul:

"It is not the government’s job to dictate to individuals how they must live. The Constitution was designed to protect individual liberty. My Uncle Rick cannot fathom a society in which people cooperate and work with each other freely."

See, it's Jim Bob and Michelle's right to have as many children as they can, just as it's the right for anyone else to use a condom. And I have absolutely no problem with the way the Duggars live. They take care of their own. Aren't reliant on anyone but themselves (well, and TLC). And do a good job of helping others.

But for candidates such as Santorum to say that bringing back strong Christian values are what's going to bring America back from its problems ... it distracts from the message and ideas that might actually do the job -- or even draw in independent voters.

It was my problem with Mike Huckabee and now Santorum. Their valid ideas for how to kick start the economy and bring back jobs are getting lost behind the veil of religion and social values.

Honestly, how many casual voters could tell you about Santorum's plans for kickstarting manufacturing jobs (as the talking heads brought up Tuesday night) and only identify Santorum as the guy who wants to ban birth control? Or worse, only know of him because of the Internet campaign that redefined his name (and trust me, it's not for the feint of heart)?

Of course, all of this probably will be decided before the party actually gets to California. Maybe by then we'll be talking about actual ideas and solutions to fixing the nation's woes with their final frontrunner (hello, Mitt Romney).