Profiles in Theocracy: "Puke" Santorum and the Separation of Church and State

“I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country… To say people of faith have no role in the public square, you bet that makes you throw up. What kind of country do we live in that says only people of non-faith can come in the public square and make their case. That makes me throw up and it should make every American.”

"Only people of non-faith can come in the public square and make their case"?  Oh, right. I remember that shortly after that speech, Kennedy renounced his religion and everyone running for office in the US after that speech were all stone atheists--and then I woke up and realized Rick Santorum has no idea what he's talking about.

I think it's a shame that the concept of the state not being able to force any particular profession of creed on its citizens makes him queasy, but it's actually been a part of US tradition in a pretty consistent way. Kennedy's point was clear:

"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute — where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be a Catholic) how to act and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote — where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference — and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him."

and consistent with how the courts generally interpret religion-related First Amendment issues.  If this makes Santorum sick--what is he saying? That one's ability to hold a given office should be dependent upon his or her faith?  That a church should dictate to its parishioners who to vote for?  That churches have a right to the tax money of people who do not subscribe to them?  That we should expect a President Santorum to run his office as the Vatican tells him to run it (except in instances regarding war and capital punishment--he's a prig, not a zealot!)

What we have here is a pretty clear expression of theocratic leanings.  That actually makes me feel a little sick.