What I am completely confused about is why so many on the farthest reaches of the left try so hard to hide it? Is there some hidden shame they bare due to their socialist ideology? What are they afraid of?  If they believe so strongly in creating a social justice, as they see it, via government intervention why not just say so? If they believe that capitalism is a bad economic system that sows the seeds of injustice, why not fight out in the light, idea against idea? If they truly cherish the democratic principals they so often champion, why "move to the center" and deny the very ideals that they are championing?  Are they so afraid that their ideology can not stand the scrutiny of comparison that they need to cover it with a thick veneer of centrist and populist politico-speak?

The biggest differences between right-leaning and left-leaning politicians is their honesty about what they believe and what values they champion.  There is no conservative hidden agenda that the right feels obliged to sanitize for public consumption.  The liberals however, constantly claim to be centrist, masking their true ideology.  In an earlier posting I invited you to check out the two candidates voting records, and posted a link to them.  Both, frankly, are more liberal than I personally would like to see.  John McCain is perhaps 3-degrees to the right of dead-center (with Ronald Reagan being 60-degrees right of dead-center) while Barack Obama is a good 90-degrees left of dead-center. 

I have no qualm with the true-believers on either side of the isle.  Disagree as I may, I can still truly admire the leftist who has clearly studied his position, does not make excuses for it and lives out these values sets.  I have no respect for an ideologue who does not have the courage to stand up for what he believes in, and who moves his public discourse to the center, compromises his value system and disassociates him or herself from their core values.  The inability to stand up for what you believe in is the basest character flaw. 

Barack is such a man.  He has a long and clear record of left-leaning, if not down right socialist, positions.  For this campaign he has put on a mask, and taken up the flag of the "enemy" in order to get elected.  He has betrayed himself and diminished his causes by his act of pure pragmatic cowardice.  If Obama believes that the American voter can not be trusted to evaluate his ideals solely on the merits of these ideals, then he is not fit to lead.  If Obama believes that his ideals are too radical for the American Voter, than he should try to persuade them, not lie to them.  If Obama has changed his core beliefs, and truly come to the center, than he should say so.  Denying what he is, and who he is, is enough to disqualify him for the highest office. 

I vehemently disagree with Saul Alinsky's philosophy and his aggregate views on American Society, but I do admire his courage in not shrinking from them or disowning them publicly.  Saul talked the talk and walked the walk.  Obama does not.  He masks his ideology to be more palatable to voters, he refuses to acknowledge what his vision for America really is.  He lacks the character and strength of conviction required in a true leader. 

We do not need an ideological chameleon in the White House.  We do not need a man whose convictions he is ashamed of.  

But wait! Maybe there is something more nefarious afoot?  Could it be that Obama is just using old Saul Alinsky's power tactics?  The ends justifying the means? Is his deception not an act of pure cowardice but really a tactic to seize power and force his ideology on the rest of us?  Will Americans be willing accomplices in this deceit or will we hold Obama to account and demand an explanation?

Perhaps I am not giving Obama enough credit.  Coward or Plotter?  I don't think I like either option, so for now, love him or hate him, McCain is still America's best pick in a two-horse race.