Obama’s No Robin Hood

Fr. Jonathan Morris

Robin Hood is a legitimate hero, not because he robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, but rather because he returned to the poor what lawfully belonged to them.

This distinction is what separates the just goals of Robin and his band of “Merry Men” from the dehumanizing economic theory of “redistribution of wealth”—a hallmark of socialism—as explained and supported by Senator Barack Obama in his 2001 interview with Chicago Public Radio, just recently rediscovered by the media. (You can hear the interview at Corridors America) While the famed green archer risked his life in defense of the natural right to retain private property (from thieves like the cruel sheriff of Nottingham and King John who stripped peasants of their land and livelihood), in this interview Senator Obama questions to what extent this right even exists.

But don’t take my word for it. Listen to it. Did you hear what I heard?

There can be no longer any doubt. Senator Obama’s enduring political philosophy is socialist at the core. And his leanings, in this regard, are radical; he would like to see all three branches of the federal government play a role in restructuring our society according to “redistributive” economic principles.

As I listen to the interview, I must say it is hard to believe our leading United States presidential candidate said, just seven years ago, that it is a tragedy the civil rights movement failed to get the Supreme Court to venture into the issues of redistribution of wealth. It is hard to believe the leading United States presidential candidate said, just seven years ago, “any three of us sitting here could come up with a rationale for bringing economic change through the courts.” It is hard to believe the leading United States presidential candidate suggested, just seven years ago, we should be seeking legislative and administrative avenues to effect “redistributive change,” since it is impractical now to get the courts to do it on their own. It’s even harder to believe the leading United States presidential candidate, just seven years ago, was talking about the importance of community organizers “putting together the actual coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change.”

But then again, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. Seven years later, and just one month before Election Day, Senator Obama said to Joe the Plumber, word for word, “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everyone.” I don’t doubt Senator Obama’s good will. In fact, he is right about many things. The great divide between the rich and the poor in our times is scandalous and reprehensible. And the blessings of this earth were destined by God for the common good of all his creatures.

But we know from history, from very sad periods of history, there is no real justice—no progress and no lasting peace—when its pursuit involves beating down some to lift up others. And we also know, by the dictates of reason and the practice of all ages, that when the government decides it can suspend the natural right to private property, through repossession or redistribution, or whatever they choose to call it, that government is on the wrong side of truth.

Just ask Robin Hood.

God bless,

Father Jonathan

Father Jonathan Morris is author of the new book, “The Promise: God’s Purpose and Plan for when Life Hurts. For information go to http://www.fatherjonathan.com/