For a number of years I have considered Indian-born conservative thinker Dinesh D’Souza one of the brightest lights on the American scene.

I would call him the Francis Schaeffer of the current political debate.

His books have blessed me greatly. What’s So Great About America? is a tremendous apologetic about the biblical principles of liberty that made the United States the most free and prosperous nation in history. What’s So Great About Christianity? explains how the Christian faith reigns supreme in the development of civilization and has no equal among the world’s religions.

My dad really liked Life After Death: The Evidence in which D’Souza rebuts the atheist dogma that we die like dogs with no hope of an afterlife. It’s a great pre-evangelism tool for thinking people who are hoping there is a heaven.

Dinesh D’Souza’s latest triumph is the movie documentary 2016 where he searches Barack Obama’s inner compass and what kind of America he will give us by 2016 if he is re-elected.

Is Obama a liberal, a socialist, a communist, or a progressive?

None of the above.

Dinesh gives us another answer, and I believe he could be right.

I took my wife Shirley to an evening showing of 2016 on a beautiful Northwest night when most people would be expected to stay outside and enjoy the gorgeous sunshine. We traveled to a nearby town that is not known for being conservative in a state (WA) which is clearly labeled blue.

On the way, Shirley said that we would probably be the only people in the theater.

She was wrong. By the time 2016 began at 7:15pm. the theater was filled with people our age. I wish there had been more young people–but I think they were watching The Expendables 2 on a neighboring screen. Unfortunately it is the older generations who currently watch the news and are deeply concerned about the future.

The film is a documentary where Dinesh details his interest in what might have shaped Barack Obama’s view of the world. D’Souza traveled to Hawaii and analyzed Obama’s birth roots. He flew to Jakarta, Indonesia where Barry Sotero spent his grade-school years, and where his sister Maya was born.

Interestingly, Dinesh could relate to Barry Sotero’s upbringing and many other aspects of his life. He he himself was raised in India, also a developing nation. He and Barack Obama were born the same year (1961). They graduated from college the same year (1983) and they got married the same year (1992). Both came to the American mainland and launched their successful careers.

Back to the documentary, D’Souza then traveled to Hawaii and delineated the “founding fathers” that shaped teenage Barry Sotero’s life. They were not the same group of people that we consider the founding fathers of America.

Then Dinesh trekked back to the mainland US where Barry Sotero went to Occidental College (1979-1981), Columbia University (1983), and Harvard Law School (1988-91). He interviewed classmates and professors who shaped Barack’s Obama’s young adult thinking. These interviews were enlightening because the president has refused to release his college records and papers to the public–so we are left to speculate on the evolution of his life philosophy.

A central theme of the movie is the role of Barack Obama Sr. played in the life of our current president. Young Barack never knew his dad as a child–meeting him only once in Hawaii when he was eleven years old. During his college years, Obama had a deep desire to go to his father’s homeland of Kenya and find out what made his dad tick. He arrived there in 1987 just before he began Harvard Law School.

The “Barack Obama Time-line” describes the search for his roots this way:

“He arrives there because he knows very little of his father. He wants to know who his father was, so he can understand his own identity. In Alego, Barack Obama meets his late father’s family for the first time. He meets his grandmother and half siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. The trip to Kenya helps Barack Obama realize the struggles that his father went through. It gives Barack a sense that the work he is doing is directly connected to his Kenyan family and their struggles. Barack Obama says: ‘[the visit] helped unify my outward self with my inward self in an important way.'”

The impact of the Kenya trip is described in great detail in Obama’s biography Dreams From My Father (whose words are heard throughout 2016 in Barack Obama’s own voice recording giving you the impression that he himself is narrating the D’ Souza documentary). Amazingly, the trip to Kenya takes up one third of the autobiography.

D’Souza simulates in the movie (with Obama’s own words telling the story in the background) how he knelt at his father’s grave in 1987 and experienced an epiphany of his identity and calling. For the remainder of his life, he would commit to live out the “dreams from his father” which had ended in a tragic car accident in 1982.

By this time, the thoughtful and analytical D’Souza has laid out a very compelling case as to what motivates Barack Obama that he gleaned from his father.

It is this: Barack Obama is an anti-colonialist, like his father, who believes that America is the last remaining colonial power in the world. His job, his destiny, is to see America brought down to size.

This revelation led to much discussion between Shirley and I after the movie. We talked about how the colonial period between the 16th and 20th centuries saw many European Powers sail the world–nations like Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, England and others–to expand and export their civilization. As is well documented in history, the colonial period produced many good results, but also some negatives ones:

• The good list includes the coming of the Christian faith to many cultures living in abject poverty and pagan darkness–elevating people through industrialization, modernization, free enterprise, the development of the middle class, and growing prosperity. If you look around the world today, the colonial period really brought Africa, the Americas, the Pacific islands and Asia into the blessings of Christian civilization.
• The bad list includes the aspects of colonialization that departed from the Christian worldview and exploited natural resources for the mother countries, suppressed and even enslaved peoples, unnecessarily destroyed aspects of local cultures, and in a phrase “did not practice the Golden Rule.”

The central insight of the film is that Barack Obama Sr. was a rabid anti-colonialist who participated in the Mau Mau Uprising of 1952-60 which led to Kenyan independence from Great Britain. His later views morphed into socialism-communism, but at the heart of his passion was a hatred for the Western colonial powers.

D’Souza believes that senior’s anti-colonialism made a profound impact on junior.

Barack Hussein Obama says the same in Dreams From My Father.

While Dinesh D’Souza was visiting Kenyan, he met with Barack Obama’s half brother George who famously lives in a shanty on the outskirts of Nairobi. This interview was the highlight of the film for me.

I’d always wondered why Barack Obama, who regularly talks about the importance of “being our brother’s keeper,” has done nothing to help his poor brother. Barack and Michelle Obama are now multi-millionaires (primarily due to book royalties), and could certainly write a check for $10,000 or $100,000 to help brother George escape the clutches of poverty. But they never have.

Now I know why. It was a great insight of the movie.

D’Souza interviews George on a park bench. He asks him whether he’s bitter that his wealthy and successful brother hasn’t helped him in life. George displays no ill will toward his older brother and says nothing offensive. In fact, he acknowledges that Brother Barack “is helping him by trying to help the whole world.”

Then D’Souza asks about George’s worldview, especially on the subject of colonialism. George responds that pushing the English out of Kenya actually hurt the country. He says that Kenya is poor today because the English didn’t stay long enough to elevate them out of poverty. He mentions South Africa as a nation where the Western powers stayed longer, and because of that, South Africa is much wealthier and more prosperous than Kenya is today.

D’Souza seems a bit intrigued that George is more positive toward colonialism when it is very apparent that his father and brother are not. Dinesh concludes that maybe this is the reason that Barack and George have no relationship and that the Obamas haven’t helped him.

George doesn’t share their worldview.

Having come to the conclusion that Barack Obama’s worldview is inherited from his father, and that he is anti-colonial when he looks at history and politics, D’Souza then examines the policies that Obama has pursued in his first presidential term. One is disdain for the rich and the course of exploding public debt. D’Souza surmises this is a deliberate strategy by the Obama administration to bring down the economic political colonialism of America to be more in line with other nations.

Same is true on the defense front. Obama has spent his first four years apologizing for America and shrinking our international influence and power. Again, he appears to have an anti-colonial agenda: America is the only remaining superpower (colonizer), and must be brought down to size.

The movie concludes with D’Souza imagining by 2016 what America might look like if Obama is allowed to continue his anti-colonial policies. The picture is not pretty.

At the end of the movie, the audience seemed gripped with realization of what really motivates Barack Obama. I have heard that in some theaters people cheered. In ours, everyone quietly filed out in deep contemplation and hushed conversations.

On our drive home, my normally placid wife said something like this: “Barack Obama is anti-American. He does not believe in this country. He is not one of us. He really wants to change America into a humbled colonial power.”

Reluctantly, I have to agree. I believe Dinesh D’Souza has given us the best glimpse so far into Barack Obama’s soul. D’Souza’s research is impeccable, thoughtful, non-reactionary and well supported by the words and actions of Barack Obama’s life.

No wonder 2016 stunned Hollywood in making nine million dollars on its opening weekend in one thousand theaters. This coming weekend, it is expanding into 2000 theaters across the country.

We have just received wisdom and warning from a brilliant Indian thinker.

What will the American people do with that knowledge?

Bill Clinton declared in 1992, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

Charles Krauthammer said last week “It’s the ideology, stupid!” (“The Case Against Reelection”–a MUST READ).

Both are correct. Bad ideology produces poor economic results.

By picking Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has created a Economic Dream Team with a good ideology to run against the president this fall.

Paul Ryan was a bold and brilliant choice.

Here’s why.

I admit that U.S. Representative Paul Ryan was always in my top tier of vice presidential picks. The list was long because there are many outstanding conservative governors in the nation right now (Christy, Daniels, Jindal, O’Donnell, Kasich, Walker, Martinez, Haley etc.) and also other high caliber leaders (such Condoleezza Rice and David Petraeus) who possess laudable strengths.

But in choosing Ryan over over two other more low-key Midwesterners—Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty—Romney boldly chose a running mate with strong conservative credentials (American Conservative Union rating: 93 percent) and one who could energize the conservative grassroots. 

He is also, at forty-two years old, America’s clearest, bravest economic thinker.

As the author of the Republican alternative budget known as the “Path to Prosperity” (Ryan Plan), the seven-time Wisconsin lawmaker became a media sensation and a much-sought-after speaker for fellow Republicans running for office. Shortly after release of his plan in March, he became the vice presidential prospect with the most media coverage, according to HighBeam Research. Its polling showed Ryan besting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, 27 percent to 23.5 percent in terms of media attention.

Arizona Rep. and GOP Senate hopeful Jeff Flake was ecstatic about the Ryan pick, as he tweeted supporters: “Wow! What a powerhouse economic team! It drips of gravitas.  Can’t wait for the fall elections.”

I met Paul Ryan last year during a National Association of Evangelicals meeting in Washington, D.C. He spoke to our group of fifty leaders about his faith, the economic problems facing this nation, and the necessary solutions to solve them. I was deeply impressed, and after talking with him for a while, left the room thinking to myself “This guy would make a great president.”

Apparently Mitt Romney thought so too. His stated first priority in choosing a running mate was whether the individual was fit to be president of the United States.

Paul Ryan? Home run. Since this was Romney’s first choice in revealing what kind of president he will be, we can be increasingly confident about a Romney administration. Compare that to Barack Obama’s first choice of Joe Biden, a gaffe-prone, plagarist who tows the union line and usually takes the wrong position on significant issues (like the “Surge” in Iraq).

Obama chose poorly. It should have been an omen of things to come.

So why is Paul Ryan a great pick for vice president?

1. He was Human Events’ Conservative of the Year in 2011–making him the most genuine and articulate voice for Judeo-Christian values in the United States. American conservatism is the political philosophy of biblical faith that recognizes God as the source of human rights, the need for faith and morality as the pillars of a free society, and promotes individual responsibility and accountability, free enterprise and limited government as crucial expressions of liberty. In choosing Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney assured the nation that he can be a Reaganesque leader who will champion conservative principles. That makes the fall election a stark contrast between a Judeo-Christian conservative ticket and a secular progressive liberal one. America must choose one of two destinies: to renew the genius of “America” or go the way of Europe (think Greece and other European nations).

2. He’s the brightest economic bulb in the room. Democrats seem to pride themselves in choosing “smart” leaders (which they say applies to Barack Obama, and in the 90s, Bill Clinton). In this case, the R’s have them beat hands down. No one with an open mind who has ever heard Paul Ryan talk about national economics believes there is anybody in the country who understands it better than he does. In fact, Ryan rose to his current hero status as an economic statesman when he clearly up-staged President Obama during a White House meeting on health care. It took him only six minutes to take apart Obamacare with facts, figures, and perspective that clearly agitated the president in 2009. You can watch the action here.

3. He’s young and energetic, focusing on a future that can brim with hope if we have the guts to create it. Paul Ryan really is “Hope and Change” after four years of decline. Barack Obama fooled the youthful electorate of America in 2008 with his charisma and empty promises. Paul Ryan is physically fit (only 6-8% body fat), would be one of our youngest vice presidents, and will provide a graphic visual image of the difference between two parties. I’ve got a great campaign sign for the new Romney-Ryan team. Simply display a photo of senior-citizen, white-haired Joe Biden with the Obama campaign theme “Forward!” and contrast it with the young, energetic Ryan. Paul Ryan and his vision are truly the way forward in American politics. The Obama-Biden ticket is really “Forward Off the Cliff.” It reminds me of General Custer crying “Forward!” when his unsuspecting troops entered Little Big Horn.

4. Paul Ryan also brings an attractive bi-partisan spirit to the national election. He’s been elected seven times from a Democrat-leaning district in the mostly-blue state of Wisconsin. In 2008, Barack Obama won the district with nearly 54%. But Paul Ryan won his election with nearly 65% of the total. That means that a significant number of Democrats voted for him. Because of Ryan’s humility, brilliance and common-sense approach, he is greatly liked and respected by both sides of the aisle in Congress. He’s the only Congressional leades to put together a major bi-partisan Medicare Reform bill with Democratic Senator Ron Widen of Oregon. In the Obama age of class and party warfare, Ryan’s willingness to work with others is a breath of fresh air.

5. Though is a Catholic, Paul Ryan is considered the leading choice of evangelicals in the nation. This would have been unthinkable fifty years ago. But believers in America have come to realize that people of all denominations can have a strong Judeo-Christian worldview regardless of their church affiliation. This also applies to Mitt Romney in 2012. Though Mormonism is outside the Christian mainstream, the LDS worldview of faith, morality, freedom, and limited civil government is in sharp contrast to the growth of immorality and big government which is encouraged by the secular political left. Paul Ryan can be a great spokesman for spiritual and moral renewal.

6. Both Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney are exemplary family men. Ryan and  his wife Janna have three young children that are being raised in his original hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin (Ryan owns no home or apartment in D.C., but sleeps on a couch in his office, then catches the first plane back to Wisconsin on weekends to be with his family). Mitt and Ann Romney have five grown sons and eighteen grandchildren. While the Democratic Party will now, for the first time, endorse the re-definition of marriage in the 2012 Democratic Party Platform, the Republicans will renew their commitment to true marriage and family, and demonstrate its beauty through both the Romney and Ryan clans.

7. Paul Ryan is the ONLY leader in America willing to take the political fallout of offering a credible plan to reign in entitlements. No other politican has had either the guts or the foresight to do so. What is the Obama Administration’s plan for runaway entitlement spending (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare payments etc.): Nothing. Zero. The Obama economic plan is simply tax and spend and the future be damned. The choice of Paul Ryan as VP shows that Mitt Romney is willing to take head-on America’s fiscal crisis and find some necessary solutions. Ryan’s Plan is not perfect–but he had the courage to start the conversation that needs to be completed. Many politicians are wimps that make empty promises to the masses. Paul Ryan is a courageous leader who is taking on the fairy-tale myth of endless entitlements and bringing us back to reality.

When I was in the country of Mongolia this summer, I lamented the lack of good roads and infrastructure and said to my national hosts: “You need to hire the brightest minds in the country, pay them the highest wage, and ask them to fix the roads! It needs to be your ‘Manhattan Project’ to allow your country to prosper in the 21st century.”

Mitt Romney’s pick of Paul Ryan as VP shows that he understands that America’s “Manhatten Project” for this time period in our nation is runaway deficits and spending. He chose the very best to tackle that problem when he picked Paul Ryan.

In fact, the Republican ticket this year gives the nation a clear choice to lead us into the future. Mitt Romney is recognized as one of the nation’s premier businessmen who understands how to create jobs and lead the economy back to growth. Paul Ryan is renowned for having the best ideas on how to curb out-of-control spending.

Romney: Job creator Ryan: Debt reducer. That’s a powerful combination.

It won’t be easy, but America’s Economic Dream Team will offer their services to America on November 6 in the 2012 presidential election. Steve Moore of the Wall St. Journal says: “With Mr. Ryan on the ticket, there will be little doubt that in 2012 Republicans are the party of hope and change, while Democrats have become the policy reactionaries touting a message of fear and the status quo.”

I hope we choose wisely.

create jobs and another who understands the need to cut entitlements.