Santorum: ‘The economy is inextricably linked to the moral fabric of this country’

URBANDALE — Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) says if elected president he will work to limit abortion and birth-control, ban stem-cell research and same-sex marriage, and abolish some areas of the judiciary.

He also wants to reinstitute the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, pass a workplace religious freedom act and allow prayer at school events.

Santorum said other candidates are focused on tax plans, and he admitted that getting the economy going is “job number one.” But there’s more to government than government and the economy, he said.

“But the people of Iowa, at least the folks that I’ve been talking to, they understand that there’s more to America than taxes and spending,” Santorum said. “There’s more to America than just the size and scale of government.”

Santorum said the after completing a visit of every county in the state he wanted to present his plans for supporting faith, family and freedom as president.

“I decided after, as we wrap up this tour and celebrate this tour … that I would try to put forth some ideas to reflect the values of the people of this state,” Santorum said.

Social and cultural issues can’t be separated from economic issues, Santorum said, and these actions will help jumpstart the economy.

“The economy is inextricably linked to the moral fabric of this country,” Santorum said. “And we can’t have a real solution-based conversation about fixing the economic problems in this country without faith and family being a large part of that conversation.”

Santorum ended his speech, attended by about 50 people, with a plea for support.

“A lot of campaigns will come out and tell you that they need your help and support. They’re lying, they don’t,” Santorum said to applause and laughter. “I do. All those other campaigns have a lot more money than we do, have a lot more coverage in the national media than I do. I really need you.”

Here is the list of actions Santorum said he’d take as president:

Executive Orders, Rulemaking and other Executive Branch Actions:

• Repeal Clinton-era Title X family planning regulations, and will direct HHS to restore the separation of Title X family planning from abortion practices and restore a ban on referrals for abortion
• Reinstitute the Mexico City Policy to stop tax-payer funding or promotion of abortion overseas
• Ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
• Restore conscience clause protections for health care workers
• Defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court
• Ban military chaplains from performing same sex marriage ceremonies on military bases or other Federal properties
• Repeal Obamacare mandate for contraceptive services in healthcare plans
• Re-direct funds within HHS so it can create a public/private partnership with state &local communities, not-for-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations for the purpose of strengthening marriages, families, and fatherhood
• Veto any bill or budget that funds abortion or funds any organization that performs abortions including Planned Parenthood

Congressional Directives:

• Call on Congress to abolish the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Advocate for a Personhood Amendment to the Constitution
• Call on Congress to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
• Advocate for a Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution
• Call on Congress to reinstitute Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell
• Call on Congress to pass the Workplace Religious Freedom Act
• Call on Congress to reinstitute 2008-level funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education program
• Advocate for a federal law permitting schools to allow prayer at graduations, football games and other school functions