The Social Network

It was bound to happen sooner, rather than later.

Rick Santorum announcing he was "suspending" his campaign for president Tuesday came as little shock to most observers.

(By the way, why do all these folks say "suspending"? It's not like most of them are going to come back and continue -- which is what most of us think of when we say "suspend." Sorry, evil copy editor moment.)

And why was this not a surprise? Simply, social issues.

While there are plenty of people out there who think like Santorum and would love nothing more than to become a bible-thumping country again ... there's a heckuva lot more of us who'd rather not go that direction.

You see, it just seems like backwards thinking to start pulling back freedoms and making rules that dictate how you can live your life. You want to get rid of abortions, then you give up your plastic surgery. You want to bash people for driving a Chevrolet Volt, then don't cry when gas goes above $4.50 a gallon. You want a return to a simpler time, then you be the first to give up your iPhone, iPad and iPod. i'mWaiting.

See, it struck me as I was reading the organizing in the area. And what one of them had to say about his brethren:

“They are liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal issues.”

Of course, he went on to blame his liberal professors and the educational system for taking away their free thought ... but that's another story.

But what's wrong with that combination? Why can't we have a country full of people who are forward thinking enough about society, but have the wherewithal to live within our means?

Most of these kids have been raised in a society where hate is nowhere near pervasive as it was when I was growing up. Kids are used to seeing people of every race, religious background and persuasion around them.

Of course, some still get the background vibe of hate in their homes. But I have a feeling that more of the ones who have reached voting age look at that type of hate as an antiquated feeling held by their grandparents who just want those damn kids off their lawn.

But gay people are able to serve openly in the military -- and even marry -- and the Republic hasn't fallen apart. Muslims have integrated into our society, and 99.99 percent of them have proven not to be terrorists (in fact, they're probably more likely the ones being attacked).

So let the lesson be learned: Build a campaign that is concerned with how people should conduct themselves in the bedroom (memo to conservatives: our sex lives are already pretty messed up -- we don't need your help), and you'll likely be "suspending" your efforts before you want to.