Peter Sonski speaks about Catholic politics
In a lecture at Holy Cross College, Peter Sonski, the American Solidarity Party (ASP) nominee for President of the United States, called for the promotion of truth, solidarity, and subsidiarity in American governance. Sonski’s lecture, titled “Faithful to the Truth,” was hosted by the college’s student-led Political Science Society.
A Catholic University of America graduate, Sonski has served as an elected official in his home state of Connecticut, where he was most recently elected to Connecticut’s Regional School District 17 Board of Education. Sonski first encountered the ASP during the 2018 midterm elections and began to identify publicly with the party’s principles and platform. He considers the ASP to be an “oasis in the political desert.”
The ASP was founded in 2011 as a political party inspired by the principles of Christian democracy. The party’s motto, “Common Good, Common Ground, Common Sense,” reflects policies that bridge the political divide. Notre Dame Professor of Political Science and ASP Board of Advisors member Daniel Philpott told the Rover, “ASP is the only real pro-life party out there, and it is solidly so. It is pro-marriage, pro-environment, favors an economy that restores social ties, is wise and compassionate about immigration, you name it.”
An advocate for life, Sonski is strictly opposed to all abortion. He articulated his disagreements with former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump’s belief that abortion is a matter to be resolved by the states. Instead, Sonski proposes that abortion should be dealt with at the federal level. He also advocates for a constitutional amendment protecting the sanctity of life and banning abortions.
Throughout his talk, Sonski emphasized the importance of “the fullness of truth” derived from natural law. Sonski asked the audience to contemplate “what truth they will accept” and argued that the ASP can reverse America’s decline. As a model, he pointed to successes in the rebuilding of Christian democratic governments in Europe.
Sonski’s remarks reiterated the importance of the principle of subsidiarity—the idea that social and political issues are best dealt with at the local level rather than handled by bureaucrats. He advocates that the solidarity movement exists for the people, empowering local governments and officials and moving to a decentralized, “bottom-up governance.”
In the realm of domestic policy, Sonski argued that the federal government has a responsibility to provide free healthcare to mothers throughout the stages of pregnancy and birth. His economic ambitions include keeping tax revenues closer to the communities that people live in, investing in small businesses, and ensuring that every family has a living wage. He voiced his desire to increase housing affordability at subsidized rates, stating that all families deserve a safe place to live.
After his talk, Sonski fielded questions from the audience. One attendee asked, “What is the first thing you would do if elected president?” Sonski responded, “This might be very unpopular, but I would sign an order abolishing the Department of Education on the first day.” His response was met with cheers from the audience. This proposal, he explained, stems from his conviction that effective education leadership can be gained by shifting power into the hands of local school boards.
As for the future of third party politics, Sonski stated that third parties offer new options to voters who feel abandoned in the current political landscape. He imagines a future with more coalition governments, forcing politicians to work across party lines to govern effectively. He offered the recent border security bill that stalled in Congress as an example of self-motivated, partisan politics.
Philpott provided commentary on Sonski’s presidential campaign, stating, “Peter Sonski knows the issues inside out, [he] has a record of leadership in journalism and government, and he is a man of great integrity, unwaveringly committed to the party’s principles. By voting for ASP, Catholics can make a big statement that we want leaders who live and promote holistic justice. Bring the Pelican Wave!” The pelican, in addition to being an ancient symbol for Christ, is also the ASP symbol.
Freshman Mary Bailey responded positively to Sonki’s talk, telling the Rover, “As someone who didn’t know much about the American Solidarity Party before the talk, I found Peter Sonski’s talk very informative and engaging. Sonski’s focus on the ASP as a middle ground option during a time of extreme political polarization really interested me. I also appreciated his emphasis on natural law and reason as the foundation of the American Solidarity Party’s platform.”
Sonski closed his remarks by offering his party as an alternative to partisan and inauthentic leaders in Washington. He believes that the ASP is backed by a vision of the common good for all members of society, informed by the Christian tradition.
Peter Sonski and his running mate, Lauren Onak, are currently on the ballot in the state of Arkansas. The campaign is in the process of being placed on the ballot in four other states and is seeking ballot representation in other states across the country.
Jakob Hansen is a freshman studying economics and political science. He would like you to know that Democracy is at risk of dying this year and that it is currently residing in a fridge. If you would like to inquire about Democracy you can reach him at jhansen8@nd.edu
Photo Credit: Peter Sonski
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