Santorum Stresses Country Foundations, Family in Novi Speech

GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum spoke to a house full of 1,400 Michiganders in Novi Thursday night, focusing on the importance of America’s foundations, family, and building a government from the bottom-up.

He spoke as part of the Oakland County Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner at Suburban Collection Showplace.

Santorum began his speech by stating that he was excited to be back in Michigan, where his family has some roots. His grandfather worked in an auto factory in Detroit for two years when he first came to America, and like many Michigan residents today, he ended up losing his job.

He said his roots have helped him understand the foundations of the country and the importance of the industrial heartland of America.

“One of the reasons that I decided to get involved in this race is that I thought it was important to have someone out there speaking for folks who seem to be out there paddling alone in our society. Folks who have been left behind by our economy,” he said.

Santorum later went on to say that the people of Michigan helped build America by creating wealth and creating opportunities.

“It’s amazing what you’ve contributed to the greatest country in the history of the world,” he said. “You’re not done building. Your honor is at stake to stand up in this election and to do your duty to stand for the things that made us special. To stand up for the founding principles of our country – the things that bring us together.”

One of Santorum’s main points Thursday was getting back to the foundations of America.

“We are a great country, not because we have a great government, not because we have a strong economy, not because we have a strong military. We are a great country because the roots of America, the foundation of our country is different than any other country in the history of the world. It’s a foundation based upon a document,” he said.

Santorum said the Constitution is the operator’s manual of America. He said that the founding rights of America come from God, and it’s the Constitution’s job to protect those rights.

He said that the government has been operating the guidelines of the Constitution and needs to get back to them.

Santorum said that he would not be in the presidential race if it were not for the issue of ‘Obamacare,’ a nickname for the health care plan pushed by President Brack Obama.

“This is the most important election of your lifetime. If we do not appeal Obamacare, if we do not stop the government from being involved in your personal decisions, if we do not reject the idea that government can create rights and then tell you how to exercise those rights, then we will be the generation that lost faith in the greatness of America,” he said.

Santorum said that the country could dismantle big government by giving the people responsibility.

“We need someone in this election, unlike in 2008 when Americans were looking for someone that they could believe in. We need a president who believes in you,” he said.

In addition to loosening government control, Santorum said that as president he would like to zero out the corporate tax on manufacturing so that America can better compete with other countries. He also talked about creating an energy policy that will ensure safe, reliable and plentiful energy.

“America is a great country because we believe in a great country being built from the bottom-up. A great society that trusts free people. One of the great things this country has shown the world is the ability of people, free people to change the world,” he said.

The importance of family

Santorum also placed a lot of emphasis on the importance of family.

He and his wife have seven children, ages 3-20.

“It’s not the best time for me to be running for president, but I’m running because, just like you, you’re concerned about your kids. You’re concerned about what you’re going to leave behind.”

He said that families are the building blocks of a free society, and that the best gift you can give the next generation is freedom. 

“What I am asking you to do is to pledge your honor. You stand on the shoulders of your parents and grandparents. Your duty is to uphold the honor of your family,” he said. 

Santorum said that Michigan will have an historic place in the upcoming election, and it is important to think about your place in history.

“Show America that you believe in yourselves. Show America that our better days are ahead of us. Show America that you’re not done building here in Detroit,” he said.