Rick Santorum Stops in Rockford, Focuses on Healthcare and Jobs

(Rockford, IL) -- GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum's calls to repeal Obamacare were echoed by supporters filling the Venetian Club.

"Understand that the federal government can't force individual citizens to buy things that they don't want to buy, or don't need to buy," said Santorum.

Santorum blames government oversight for many of the nation's troubles, saying if the government stays out of people's lives and let free enterprise rule, the country would be more prosperous.

"Once government has you, and you're dependent on them, then freedom as we know it is gone," said Santorum.

Attendees of Santorum's rally agree with this philosophy, especially when it comes to creating jobs.

"I'd like to see manufacturing come back," said Santorum supporter Paul Trost.  "He's got a great plan, zero-percent taxes on manufacturing.  Rockford really needs this, and we need it really bad."

Jim Bob Duggar and his family, stars of TLC''s 19 Kids and Counting, follow Santorum's campaign and agree Santorum knows how to put people back to work.  

"Take off their [the manufacturers'] taxes where they can compete with overseas manufactures, which would create more jobs," said Jim Bob Duggar.

"You got manufacturing program in place that we put forward, as well as our energy program, you'll get lots of jobs here in Rockford," said Santorum.

Still, Santorum's supporters think he can do a lot more than just put people back to work.  They think he can fix the healthcare system too.

"Just by standing up for our rights, our God given rights, that those are things that permeate throughout all issues," said Santorum supporter Lorie Trost.

After leaving Rockford, Santorum stopped in Dixon before leaving the Stateline to visit Peoria.