Questions for the so-called GOP debates

1. Candidate Santorum,
Please comment on the following statement by Orestes Brownson. Do you agree with Brownson or disagree? And please prove the audience with a brief rationale for your response.

"That the great commercial nations have been and are civilized nations, and that they have extended the area of civilization by establishing colonies of emigrants from their own bosom, is undoubtedly true; but the point is, has commerce ever civilized a nation it found on opening trade with it uncivilized? I recollect no instance of the kind. As far as my historical reading goes, the only force that has ever civilized a savage, barbarous, or semi-barbarous tribe or people is religion. Commerce brings civilized and uncivilized nations in contact, no doubt, but as a rule the uncivilized are broken, as the earthen pot that comes in contact with the iron pot. What has the commerce of Great Britain done for India, where civilization was once far superior to what it is now? Great Britain and perhaps other Christian nations have gained by it, but India herself has lost her autonomy and been impoverished by it. The people of India are poorer today, find it harder to live, than when the English East-India Company was formed. England, to obtain a market for her own wares, broke up the native manufacturers and reduced the poor people to abject dependence. The same process has begun with China and Japan, though it may not be so successful there as it has been in India, where the natives have thus far deteriorated and in no sense advanced in civilization. Commerce has only one principle – "to buy cheap and sell dear;" it does not concern itself with civilization." (Vol. 13, pp. 19, 20.)

2. Candidate Bachman,

Could you please comment on which of Russell Kirk's Ten Conservative Principles you find to be most compelling, and why?

3. Candidate Perry,

With regard specifically to this nation's education policy, please explain to the audience how you as President would apply the Doctrine of Subsidiarity.

4. Candidate Gingrich,
Keeping in mind the daily responsibilities of the President of the United States, please rate the following concepts in ascending order of significance: (a) Thomas Molnar’s advice to the counter-revolutionary, (b) Charles Maurras’ theory of “natural inequality” and (c) St. Augustine’s cautionary statements about the “libido dominandi.”