An Extremist in Sheep’s Clothing

Americans have elected an extremist for president. They thought they were voting for a responsible and reasonable person, but recent developments have revealed that they got a far-left ideologue. It turns out that Barack Obama meant what he said when he opined that redistributing wealth would be a good idea.
During the presidential campaign most people concluded that Obama was calm, confident, and almost preternaturally self-assured. He was obviously very smart and seemed to have the emotional stability to make measured judgments. Definitely not a wild man, he would do nothing outrageous. It was thus safe to entrust our nation and its future to him—even in the midst of a period of economic stress.
Back before the election, Obama assured us that he hardly knew William Ayers or the Reverend Wright. It was true that he had been in their presence, but he did not necessarily agree with them. Ayers was a bomb thrower and Wright had thundered his hatred of America, whereas he, Obama, was patriot. He would never be as extreme as either of them.
But then came governing, as opposed to campaigning, and Obama exposed himself as an ideological bomb thrower. Suddenly he intended to dismantle capitalism and to install his version of “social democracy.” Newsweek magazine inadvertently let the cat out of the bag when it crowed “we are all socialists now.” Their, and his, preference for socialism became obvious.
Now we see Obama’s program. He wants to increase government spending by trillions of dollars. He hopes to nationalize health care and to federalize education. He wants to impose a hidden regressive tax by mandating green energy. He expects to muzzle conservative radio commentators by reintroducing the “fairness doctrine.” Meanwhile, he intends to increase the power of his union supporters by eliminating the secret ballot in union elections. Nor is he unhappy about assuming virtual control of major banks or telling the automobile companies what sorts of vehicles to manufacture. He is even resurrecting the welfare system that Jimmy Carter described as “a disgrace to the human race.”
Decades ago Lyndon Johnson was able to frighten the American people into voting for him by portraying Barry Goldwater as a wild-eyed extremist. If he were elected, Goldwater would surely drop the atomic bomb and wipe out humanity. Most people agreed. They preferred moderation. They did not want to deliver their democracy into the hands of a man who would change its very nature.
Sadly, we have done what they would not. Obama does not sound like an extremist, but he is one. Every now and then he says something outrageous, but then he calms the waters with familiar clichés and huge promises. He is, or at least he portrays himself, as a man of the people. All he wants is change. But then again, he did not really tell us what this change would be until he decided to deliver it. Too bad we, and our grandchildren, will have to pick up the bill.
Now what? As the sheep’s clothing slides off our president’s back, will we notice that there is a wolf at the door? Or will we continue to pretend that the president is merely a nice man who is attempting to perform a difficult job?
Melvyn L. Fein. Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Kennesaw State University