Right-to-work laws are not difficult to understand. They mean an individual should not be forced to join a union in order to work. It used to be called liberty. An increasing number of states are catching on; the latest is Michigan, which last week joined the right-to-work states, thereby championing liberty while raising the prospects for greater prosperity within the state. The big unions, though, are violently opposed to these laws. I use the term “violently” on purpose, primarily because the violent nature of these unions was on display in Michigan as the legislature passed the law and the governor signed it.

They are referred to as union thugs for a reason. And they have a supporter in high places who said nary a word about the violence, but instead was quite vocal about limiting individual liberty. Of course, he doesn’t know the first thing about creating jobs anyway, so what’s the surprise?

I can only hope that the image of big unions threatening liberty will become burned into the public consciousness. It’s time to recognize what they really stand for:

Let freedom ring.

The Senate of the United States is supposed to be one of the most august legislative bodies in the world. This is where political maturity should be exemplified. The Founders envisioned a a select group of men [and now women] who would calmly and rationally make the best decisions for the nation as a whole, and not be swayed by pettiness.

This is the same body that has long since passed the deadline for enacting a budget—getting close to three years now without one.

Yesterday, the Senate added to its shame by tabling an amendment that would have done nothing more than confirm the right to religious liberty that already should be guaranteed by the First Amendment. The amendment to a bill simply said that the HHS mandates the Obama administration is attempting to cram down the throats of religious organizations had to contain a clear exemption for those whose religious beliefs opposed the measure. Only three Democrats found the moral courage to vote in favor of that amendment.

For those in my current state of Florida, be it noted that Sen. Bill Nelson was not one of those who found courage. This November, you have an opportunity to let him know what you think about that.

Of course, this is hardly the first time in American history that the Congress has disgraced itself, but it always hurts to witness a travesty.

Travesty number two: the Republican party in Michigan decided to go against its own rules; instead of splitting the delegates evenly in the recent primary, which should have happened since Romney and Santorum both won the same number of districts, the committee in charge of awarding the delegates moved one delegate from Santorum to Romney, thereby changing the delegate count from 15-15 to 16-14. It was noted by those familiar with the process that the committee had a number of avowed Romney supporters and none for Santorum. This was a political ploy that has been condemned not only by Santorum’s team but by other fair commentators who haven’t necessarily supported Santorum.

Both of these examples showcase the dire need for Christian morality to come to the forefront in our politics. Moral courage seems to be in short supply.

The Arizona and Michigan primaries are now behind us. Arizona went as expected, 47% for Romney, 27% for Santorum. It was a winner-take-all primary, so the Santorum team was wise not to spend money there. The focus was on Michigan, which went for Romney 41%-38%.

Both sides will of course spin for the greatest PR effect. For Romney, it is a win, but he had to sweat. It was not the steamroller his people had expected before Santorum’s rise. If he had lost Michigan, where he grew up and his father was a three-term governor, it would have been a severe blow to him on the expectations front. GOP establishment figures were already leaking comments about finding a new candidate if Michigan rejected its native son.

What about Santorum? How does this affect his momentum? It remains to be seen. First, the loss was not by a large margin. Second, it wasn’t a winner-take-all primary, so he will get some delegates. If you look at a map of the state, and which counties he won, you see he grabbed quite a few; he practically owned the central/western counties. Romney, however, took the Detroit area where there was a higher concentration of voters.

Super Tuesday is next week. Current polls have Santorum leading in a number of states such as Ohio, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Ohio has 66 delegates at stake, which would be a big haul for him. The real question now is whether yesterday’s results will pull down his numbers. Or will his supporters be encouraged by a strong second-place showing in a state where he originally had no hope?

The GOP establishment is breathing easier today, but more tense times for them may be upcoming. If Santorum can pull off a number of victories next week, it could keep him on track for the Texas primary later, where he has a significant lead right now.

The long march to the convention did not end in Michigan.

It’s turning into a tidal wave, particularly in the Midwest. What am I talking about? The rapid rise of Rick Santorum in the polls. All you have to do is watch the faces and hear the incredulity in the voices of cable news hosts to know that something is happening that was more than a little unexpected.

A series of new polls coming out of Michigan show Santorum leading Romney anywhere from four points to fifteen. Not a single one favors Romney at this time. Then there is the shocker out of Ohio, a Rasmussen poll showing Santorum with a 42-24 advantage. Even Arizona, where the Santorum forces decided not to waste money because it is a winner-take-all primary like Florida’s, and polls showed Romney with a big lead, now sits at Romney 38%, Santorum 31%. It appears GOP voters continue to have a hard time coming to grips with a Romney candidacy.

Commentators have begun searching for weaknesses in Santorum. They think they’ve found them on social issues. They believe voters will eventually be turned off by his lack of support for contraception and his opposition to gay marriage. First, if we’ve come to the point where opposition to homosexuals demanding marriage is a losing proposition, we’re beyond the pale as a country anyway. I appreciate Santorum standing firm on that one. If that’s a losing position, it’s also a principled and honorable one. Second, Santorum has no plans to make Americans accept his views on contraception. Even those of us who don’t agree with his stance completely on that one know what his aim is—to reduce sexual immorality and enhance the status of marriage and family. As long as he frames these positions carefully and positively, he can win with them.

The biggest problem remaining for Santorum appears to be Newt Gingrich. He hasn’t yet come to the realization that his opportunity has passed him by. He’s even less desirable for Republican voters than Romney.

He used to lecture Santorum to drop out of the race so as not to split the conservative vote. It’s time for Newt to take his own advice.