Abraham Lincoln said: “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” For the presidential candidate with limited experience and no record of accomplishment, there is very little to validate the trust people place in him. Such is the case of Barack Obama. What do we really know about him aside from his speeches? If steadfast character is the guardian of the peoples' trust, we need to know if the Obama we hear in public is the same man in private. What has he allowed us to see of his soul? When we look at Barack Obama, are we looking at the tree, or the shadow?

     Some have criticized the ascribing of guilt-by-association to Obama for his ties to radical persons and groups, such as William Ayers, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and ACORN. In Obama’s case, however, there are enough associations to manifest a compelling pattern of radical influence that gives shape to his vision of America. These ties are more than casual acquaintances-- these are the people who have found in Obama an advocate for their causes. The common thread that binds them together is a world-view that sees our country as unfair, corrupt, and in need of radical reform.

    Obama’s true inner person shaped by his associates’ antipathy for America is now in full disguise as we see Obama trying to disavow his radical mentors. Obama claims that, because he was only eight years old when terrorist William Ayers bombed the Pentagon and Capitol Building, his association with Ayers should not be tainted by past transgressions. His objection misses the point. The contempt for America that Ayers expressed through violence in the 70’s has never been repudiated by him-- it continues today under a different guise. As a Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Ayers’ current aim is to radicalize education in our country. Ayers had high praise for Venezuelan dictator, Hugo Chavez at the World Education Forum in 2006, with whom he said he shares the belief that “…education is the motor-force of revolution.” Ayers talked about learning how to “overcome the failings of capitalist education.” This puts Obama’s association with Ayers in a revealing light. As board chairman of the educational foundation, The Annenberg Challenge, Obama authorized funding for William Ayers’ educational projects, although Ayers himself was a board member of a separate Annenberg wing, personally profiting from the foundation he oversaw. Would it be a stretch to believe Barack Obama shares Ayers’ desire to revolutionize our educational system to conform to a more socialist model? If not, why would he agree to fund Ayers’ projects?

     It is inaccurate to characterize Obama’s cordial relationships with radicals as exercises in bad judgment. To say that is to accept that Obama thinks about the American ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the same way we do, but was somehow deceived by those teaching a different way. In reality, his associations reflect a deliberate choice to be influenced by ideologies he will not admit in public, but prefers to keep a secret. We can thank the man known as Joe the Plumber from Toledo, Ohio, for drawing out Obama’s true ideology and attitude toward ordinary Americans through his economic plan. Joe has a dream to one day have his own plumbing business. It is a goal that represents Joe’s pursuit of happiness. But when Obama talked about wanting to “spread the wealth around” after Joe Biden earlier said that it is the “rich’s” patriotic duty to pay higher taxes, it left Joe wondering if Obama was planning a socialist utopia. Taxing the rich to give to the poor is classic income redistribution that will punish the industrious-- like Joe -- who want to achieve the American dream, and will foster dependency among those receiving the fruits of other peoples’ labor. Obama’s vision of government control of free enterprise robs all Americans of the liberty to achieve their dreams. It frustrates any ambition people have to improve their lot by confiscating the rewards of their hard work. If there is no incentive to get ahead, small businesses will stop investing in the economy, jobs will be lost, and we will all be worse off.

     President Gerald Ford warned: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” One of the lessons from the credit market collapse is that the good intentions of government don’t always end up in good results. Consider that The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 was intended to make home ownership a reality for those living in poor and minority neighborhoods. Enforcement power was given during President Clinton’s administration to ensure banks made loans in those communities. ACORN, whom Obama has supported financially through the Woods Fund and Annenberg Challenge, employs the practice of pressuring banks under threat of suit into granting risky mortgages to the poor and minorities who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for them based on their income. ACORN also receives taxpayer funds for this activity. But falling home values have now led to mortgage defaults for CRA borrowers, some banks going under, and stock market losses. The pipedream of providing genuine home-buying opportunities for the less qualified compliments of the government has led to the $700 billion bailout compliments of the taxpayer. If given a voice, would you have consented to your tax money going to ACORN’s enforcement of wealth redistribution ? Apparently, Barack Obama would, and has. Just recently he gave $800,000 to Citizen Services, a subsidiary of ACORN, for get-out-the-vote efforts. And now we see their fraudulent voter registration drives in at least eleven states, ending up in FBI investigations. ACORN has been involved in these activities for years, and now Obama wants us to believe they provide a valuable service? Who is he kidding?

     Barack Obama has been leading a stealth candidacy from the beginning. Those who have contributed to his campaigns over the years, such as ACORN and Ayers, are ready for their payback if he wins the presidency. Obama has done his best to dissemble and hide their influence over him, but if we believe in the sacred American ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, I believe voters will be able to distinguish genuine democracy from the radical socialism of Barack Obama’s vision for America. Thanks to Joe the Plumber for helping us see that!

The bible tells us: “ Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.” There are lots of questionable friends in Barack Obama’s circle of influence. Even illegal contributions from foreign nationals have found their way to Obama’s campaign from the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip. What do Obama’s backers know about him that we don’t, and what role will they play in shaping a vision of America different from that of our founding fathers? Please make sure you understand that vision before you give Obama your vote because he shrouds it in populist rhetoric that appeals to your self-interest, but it will end up being a trap to steal your liberties. Just remember President Ford’s warning.

A wise man concluded, “…sow a character, reap a destiny.” A character shrouded in mystery could mean a destiny you never expected… or asked for. Can you trust such character in a man who would be president?