generalspeaking

Candidate Sanctimony

Ah, yes, not wealthy, not anywhere near as filthy rich as his opponents. Not nearly as generous with his wherewithal, either, according to reputable sources. With the release of his financial records and tax payments came the revelation that Rick Santorum is more sanctimonious than can be sanctioned. A family man, a man of God, a stout Republican and unsuitable as a candidate for the American presidency.

Rick Santorum's major competitor for the nomination was heavily criticized for his reluctance to divulge details about his wealth, let alone his tax returns, as others had already done, to be scrutinized as part of the relevance of their candidacy. Of course, the leading candidate somehow isn't seen to have the up-front appeal of Mr. Santorum, his religious affiliation and his lack of charisma have made Mitt Romney's appeal somewhat weak.

But if experience and intelligence are attributes that should be required in a candidate for the highest office of the land, then it is Mr. Romney who should be receiving attention, not his opponents. It has been written time and again that Mitt Romney's clumsy remarks seeming to reflect his obliviousness to the plight of the poor and the unemployed have weighed heavily against him. He insists he is focused on the plight of the middle class.

In fact, the middle class of America seems gradually to be sinking in fortune into the battered lower class, so his focus is well deserved. He is not as out of touch with the needs of the majority of Americans as is claimed, witness his outstanding performance as Governor of Massachusetts, where he was elected for what he could do for the state, traditionally staunchly Democrat, electing a Republican to get the job done.

While his yearly income is more than twenty times that of Mr. Santorum, he also took 16% of that wealth and used it for charitable purposes. A wealthy man who recognizes the need for public philanthropy is a just man. Mr. Santorum's claims that he is not wealthy fly in the face of reality, for most people do not earn in the neighbourhood of $600,000, $900,000, $1,100,000, as he has done year-by-year.

And if they did, one would hope that they would see their way clear to donating more than the scant 2% to 3% that Mr. Santorum shuffled off to charity, all things being equal.

Labels: Charity, Political Realities, Poverty, United States

posted by Pieface @ Thursday, February 16, 2012