Santorum to Obama: Here's The Economic Plan You Asked For

Verona, PA - Following President Obama's invitation to Republicans yesterday to offer "concrete plans that will actually reduce inequality, build the middle class, provide more ladders of opportunity to the poor," former U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Rick Santorum re-issued the manufacturing plan that was the centerpiece of his campaign for president in 2012.

"President Obama, you asked for concrete plans to reduce inequality and increase opportunities for hardworking American families. Well my plan is at the ready, and it will rejuvenate the American economy by empowering American families and building economic freedom," said Senator Santorum.

"Strong families lead to a strong economy and this plan celebrates the family by reviving our economy and creating jobs in America again with a smarter and simpler tax code. This plan also rolls back job-killing regulations, forces the federal government to shrink, and it reinvigorates our domestic manufacturing and energy potential," Santorum continued.

Some of the highlights of Senator Santorum's manufacturing plan include:

Cutting the corporate tax rate for domestic manufacturers from 35% to 0%;

Repatriating foreign income at a 5% tax rate rather than the current 35% to bring those revenues home to be invested in America;

Increasing the R&D Tax Credit from 14% to 20% and making it permanent;

Reducing the regulatory burden currently stifling American innovation, including complete repeals of ObamaCare, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Dodd-Frank; and,

Expanding domestic energy exploration to lower energy costs for manufacturers and create good paying manufacturing jobs.

"And if we are serious about lifting people out of poverty we have to be serious about restoring marriage and responsible fatherhood. I call on the President to launch a national conversation on how schools, government, churches, community organizations and businesses can work together to re-establish marriage in communities where it is no longer the norm," Santorum continued,

During Senator Santorum's tenure in the Senate, he received praise for his efforts to address poverty issues. He was an author of the 1996 welfare reform legislation that moved millions from the welfare rolls to meaningful work. He also was instrumental in helping charitable groups expand their ability to help underprivileged Americans, and he led efforts to fight global AIDS. In 2006, David Brooks of The New York Times wrote, "For there has been at least one constant in Washington over the past 12 years: almost every time a serious piece of antipoverty legislation surfaces in Congress, Rick Santorum is there playing a leadership role."