Glenn Beck’s Dose of Common Sense for America
Love him or hate him, Beck understands what the country needs most right now.
In my family I am an island, the lone conservative and sole person to ever vote Republican. This has resulted in few political discussions coming up in my presence. However, the other day while speaking to my mother — a devout leftist who regularly refers to the hosts of MSLSD by their first names — the beltway sledge seeped into our conversation. I could not resist expressing disgust over the bizarre cult that has formed around our shallow and foppish president, Barack Obama. I wondered aloud why leftists seem uniformly incapable of criticizing any of their co-religionists. My mother took exception and countered with the ubiquitous Democratic debating tactic of “I know you are but what am I.”
She claimed that it is our side which drinks the Kool-Aid regarding politics and dared me, as a member of the opposition, to say something critical about an ideological teammate. I thought for a moment and proffered, “I think there’s something wrong with Glenn Beck.” My mother, feeling conciliatory, said, “Yes, I agree. There is something wrong with Glenn Beck.”
Many conservatives have had similar experiences with those on the emotive end of the political spectrum, but one must acknowledge that their “no enemies on the left” strategy has been wildly successful. Indeed, via a mixture of lying, denial, electioneering, and projecting their personal neuroses as public policy initiatives, the Democratic Party has captured both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.
Given the left’s transcendence, this year is not the ideal moment for disparaging one’s fellow conservatives. Yet numerous times while watching Beck’s wildly popular television show, I have found myself pleading with the host not to cry and to please purge himself of an Oprahesque demeanor.
Knowing the unpredictability of his personality, I was somewhat skeptical regarding the merits of his new book, Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine. Luckily, my fears proved unfounded. The book is strong and will serve everyday Americans admirably in their attempt to defend themselves against the noxious and self-righteous utterances of those Democratic drones that surround them.
Admittedly, Common Sense is merely a good book and no Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto. Unlike the latter it will not be a work that is regarded as a classic 50 years from now. Beck’s offering is very much a response to the pathology that is the present and is more pep talk than intellectual dreadnaught.
No matter, at the time of this writing, it has already risen to number one on both Amazon’s bestseller list and that of the New York Times — which, of course, declined to review it.
The author’s (lamentably brief) analysis consists of about 110 pages while the last 50 are devoted to republishing Thomas Paine’s original work from 1776. Each section manages to enlighten.
As a host, Beck is occasionally funny but always lively. Such a countenance translates well from the glowing screen to the page, as evidenced by this sentence: “If the job of a congressman were described candidly and truthfully, only two types of people would apply: Jimmy Stewart’s idealist Mr. Smith, or a grifter.”
As a writer, Beck will never be confused with Roger Kimball in terms of refinement, but he scores points throughout in the manner of Sugar Ray Leonard at the Montreal Olympics. His narration is a series of jabs and counterpunches that succinctly describe the government’s malignant and negligent role in bringing about the current crisis.
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Bernard Chapin wrote Women: Theory and Practice and Escape from Gangsta Island, along with a series of videos called Chapin’s Inferno. You can contact him at veritaseducation@gmail.com.
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52 Comments
1. David Thomson:Glenn Beck must be congratulated for alerting the general public about the threat of the Progressive movement. This essentially fascist political philosophy attracted authoritarian personalities of both major political parties. Democrat Woodrow Wilson and Republican Herbert Hoover thought that supposedly benevolent and well-educated “elites” should tell the rest of the citizenry what to do. The Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was long considered a hero by the American Progressives. Barack Obama is merely continuing their agenda. Progressive have utter contempt for the U.S. Constitution and its emphasis on the check and balancing of political power—or at least their power. Please also note Obama’s numerous appointments of “czars.”
At the end of the day, the current president wants to be our dictator. Does he consciously realize this harsh fact? Does he really take his views to their logical conclusion? We can have that debate at another time. The current reality, however, can no longer be ignored. And thankfully, Beck is doing his best to make sure we don’t.
Jul 6, 2009 - 3:08 am 2. "progressive"watch:It seems to me that what Chapin is saying is that he does not like Glenn Beck’s style but is in agreement with his substance; that is like saying,”I don’t like how he looks but what he is saying makes sense.”
Jul 6, 2009 - 4:33 am 3. john from cinncinatti:it seems to me that every conservative front runner is being systematically dispatched. when their name comes up, some skeleton seems to pop up making them unworthy of being a standard bearer. Sarah Palin comes to mind but the only thing they can get her on, is her family. the Obamaphiles seem to gloss over their own peccadillos. offering up lame excuses like it was misread or mispoke.
Jul 6, 2009 - 4:39 am 4. RE:When it comes to personalities, one should always be sure to make the distinction between style and substance. I’m not too keen on Glenn Beck’s style, but there is substance to what he is communicating. He is raising questions that need to be asked and for that, he deserves much credit.
Jul 6, 2009 - 5:02 am 5. WhyamInotsurprised?:I listened to Beck when he was on radio. He talked sense then, and he talks sense now. I’m glad for his success which has been meteoric for it shows that his words make sense. Common sense.
The left derides him just like they deride FOX News. People like what they see and hear and no matter how upset the left gets, they cannot argue with program ratings except to denigrate those who pay attention. The left hates that with a passion. Oops, hate, isn’t that a conservative trait?
Jul 6, 2009 - 6:15 am 6. scooby:I agree that Beck is great. but when you send emails to him / blogging he takes you off his list and I mean in support of him. ?
Jul 6, 2009 - 6:52 am 7. scooby:Round 2 about Beck from me. I feel that he is banging the right drum but he is in the wrong time slot of programming, But after EMAILS asking him and sending info to him I stopped getting his daily alerts and I have contacted him about this and asked why and nothing back from him. ?
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:07 am 8. Saltherring:It is refreshing to hear “leftists” referred to as such, as these tryants are anything but liberal. Also noteworthy is Beck’s reference to his mother as a diehard leftist. His “I know you are but what am I” analogy is so typical of leftists, who seemingly cannot (or refuse) to debate issues in a civil, logical and resonsable manner. I guess, if the tables were turned, conservatives might be a bit defensive also if our ideologies were as corrupt, illogical and indefensible as leftism.
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:27 am 9. Steve:When Glenn Beck first came over the radio right after 9/11 here in Nashville from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. it took some getting used to, but after some time I found that he is quite thoughtful and does a fine job of research on issue that he talks about. He is quite funny at times also has a way of using it to help get a point across.
Now though he comes on from 5p.m. – 8 p.m. so I switch between him and Michael Savage.
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:48 am 10. reader:I really appreciate the way that Beck tells us, his viewers, that we are not alone in our deep concern over what Obama and his people are in the process of doing to our individual liberty and freedom. Sometimes it seems that Beck is not optimistic that the story will have a happy ending. I am afraid that I share that view, also. . .
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:48 am 11. qbit:Glenn is a self professed ‘thinker’, he does well in alerting conservative minded to obvious threats from the bleeding hearts and artists, however, it must not be overlooked that he can ONLY say what he’s allowed to say, as FOX too plays a part in this dichotomy we call American politics. Furthermore he is not above being a pawn to those in Power that want You to see things a certain way, ie. trashing the 911 truth movement, because, no matter what you believe, (what FOX or MSM has told you) or otherwise, that affair and others like it Still smell rotten, I suggest a little individual investigation outside the typical Left Right paradigm. It’s time for Us citizens to wake up and realize that we live in a world orchestrated by power hungry oligarchs that are hell bent on controlling the world at any cost.
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:49 am 12. Oldguy:http://members.tripod.com/~american_almanac/contents.htm#environ
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3962883610962556504
I was born in 1938 so I guess I have a perspective quite different from most people.
When I was middle aged I found myself trying to protect my Great depression parents from the new age. There is no one to protect anymore.
What scares me about this society is not the obvious evil people but that so many people in government, entertainment, and almost every other of our institutions, believe and support things they know to be false and distructive of the country.
Jul 6, 2009 - 8:13 am 13. AThinkingPerson:Beck is a refreshing voice in a sea of noise. I have to concur with #10 reader, I too appreciate knowing I’m not alone in my concern that Obama is dismantling the USA bit by scary bit.
Re #11 qbit: You raise interesting and valid points. In regards to Beck and FOX I feel that a majority of Americans are being deliberately misled by the MSM. FOX seems to be the only broadcast media that allows Beck (and others like him) to voice a dissenting opinion on the state of the Union today unfortunately. It’s up to each of us to investigate outside of what we’re being spoonfed through our TV/Propaganda boxes.
Jul 6, 2009 - 8:24 am 14. Susie!:We live Beck…he’s a different, but makes a LOT of sense.
We are headed for a depression, something has to give. The people in Washington don’t really understand the great unwashed and we are allowing all to happen so.. Be prepared. No, I’m not a doomsdayer nutcase. I am realistic and have enough sense to realize what is happening to our economy. No on in Washington really cares folks..no one…They’ve got theirs..and you should be grateful for having them take from you.
Beck Rocks!!!
Jul 6, 2009 - 8:51 am 15. Susie!:okay,
We “like” Beck..not we “live” beck..whatever…
Jul 6, 2009 - 8:52 am 16. shau-jan:14 susie.i agree with you on everything but this;”No on in Washington really cares folks..no one…They’ve got theirs.”if the economy goes in the crapper they go down with it….their power and money would evaporate over night.NOBODY wants to live in a banana republic,or run one.
Jul 6, 2009 - 9:15 am 17. tommyd:I admit I usually do not listen to GB. Occasionally only.
I did pick up his latest Common Sense book the other day. I have read the first chapter and I must say that from what I have read so far the 1st chapter or at least pages 15 – 20 will be interesting reading for any thinking person.
Glenn is a bit different in his approach yes, but, his content is at times brilliant and can be as logical and “Common Sensible” as there is.
If there is nothing else of interest to me in the rest of the book those pages mentioned would be worth the price.
Good book to pass on to family members , young adult’s that might need something that is easy to grasp and won’t put them to sleep.
I think they would have a difficult time disagreeing with his “common sense ” logic and might help them find their path to logical thinking and not become part of the Obama herd mentality.
Highly recommended.
Jul 6, 2009 - 9:40 am 18. Toronto Girl:I like and respect anyone who voices and sticks to their opinions without apologizing. Beck, O’Reilly, Hannity are men like that. You may not like their style, but you have to respect their tenacity.
Jul 6, 2009 - 10:22 am 19. bill-tb:So where does Colonel Obama get the authority to burden America with debt that can never be repaid?
Does anyone know the meaning of immoral anymore?
Jul 6, 2009 - 10:33 am 20. Liz Cheney:Truly a slick huckster. Bets thing to hit the airwaves since Father Coughlin.
Jul 6, 2009 - 11:13 am 21. oldmomster:We get uncomfortable watching Glenn…he’s so honest it hurts. He says the very things we would and do say, like when your kid comes home with ‘my teacher said….’ and your first thought is wtf??????
He has disarmed his detractors by openly talking about past problems with alcohol so they have nothing ‘on’ him. He wears his heart on his sleeve – he speaks to the people in the ‘flyover’ states – the people Letterman mocked – the sample lady in the grocery store, the Cheerleader, or the waitress that signs your check with a smileyface – our Aunts, Cousins, and possibly, us…the community college graduate (or flunkout) who somehow manages to scrape enough together for a house, clothes for the kids, good meals on the table and maybe decides to sleep in on Sunday cause he worked a six-day week…the man who would rather cut his own heart out before he agreed that piercing an unborn baby’s skull and sucking its’ brain out seconds before it is born is just a matter of ‘choice’.
He makes you squirm because he reacts. It’s not that there’s something wrong with Glenn…maybe there’s something wrong with the rest of us.
Jul 6, 2009 - 11:15 am 22. pedro:GB is the man:)
Jul 6, 2009 - 11:26 am 23. SAL:read it first time– very good– I listen to Glenn Beck every time I can– WAY to GO!!!
Jul 6, 2009 - 11:51 am 24. TG:RE:
#20 Liz Cheney:
“Truly a slick huckster. Bets thing to hit the airwaves since Father Coughlin.”
Now Liz, Fr. Coughlin was anti-semitic, pro-New Deal liberal cleric from Chicago with a radio show. Not an appropriate comparison. Can’t you be a bit more creative with your ad hominem attack — Bring Beck’s Mormonism into it or something?
Jul 6, 2009 - 11:57 am 25. David Thomson:“…from Chicago with a radio show.”
Fr. Charles E. Couhlin actually lived in the Detroit area. Other than that, you are right on target. He was so economically left-wing that even the New Dealers surrounding FDR were taken aback. Coughlin was “right-wing” only in the sense that he advocated traditional moral values.
Jul 6, 2009 - 12:33 pm 26. elinor stickney:I am not a Glenn Beck fan. Perhaps if I only heard him and didn’t see the grimaces, tears, and other expressions I might take him more seriously. I do not support progressives and think people should be responsible for themselves. However, the recent frenzy about Michael Jackson, the adulation of Barak Obama and lack of knowledge about civics are beginning to make me wonder if many Americans do need nannies.
Jul 6, 2009 - 12:57 pm 27. Войска ПВО:It is my fervent hope that Barry and Michelle sit each night on their comfy WH couches, sipping their martinis, watching what Glenn Beck has to say about their shenanigans..
..WITH BLOOD SHOOTING OUT OF THEIR EYES.
Jul 6, 2009 - 12:59 pm 28. Mike W.:A pudgy, uneducated opportunist who cries on national television and who deflects criticism by saying “please don’t believe anything I say” is the hero of the right wing. Big surprise.
Jul 6, 2009 - 1:16 pm 29. jharp:“Admittedly, Common Sense is merely a good book and no Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto. Unlike the latter it will not be a work that is regarded as a classic 50 years from now.”
You have got to be kidding. “Liberty and Tyranny” a classic?
You are out of your mind.
Jul 6, 2009 - 1:32 pm 30. AThinkingPerson:Re #27: I’d like to join your “fervent hope” about Barry and Michelle but I have a feeling their TV is welded to stay on MSDNC. Why hear a bit o’truth when you can watch Rachel Maddog and the other patients that inhabit that asylum with their legs all a tingle?
Glenn Beck is much too honest to hold Obama’s attention. He’s used to fawning and adoration.
Jul 6, 2009 - 1:51 pm 31. Marc Malone:Mr. Chapin – Some important corrections.
First, Beck is not a Conservative. He is a Libertarian. That means he is not on the Right, but very much in the Center.
Second, you are guilty of snobbery. You don’t like his style, because it reeks of the common man. It is SUPPOSED to. He educates the common man in things that are normally beyond them, and he does it in an entertaining way that keeps their attention. This is why his show is so tremendously successful. People are entertained AND educated. He is doing more good for this country than anyone.
Beck is extremely learned in American history. He is able to quote from memory passages from the Federalist Papers, and various classical references. Don’t be fooled by the “Aw, shucks” demeanor. He has a sharp, educated mind.
His coming to FOX was a Godsend. He used to be on CNN lined up against Hannity and Colmes. His show just wasn’t all that. The guests were so dreary, and he was a little more sober, even dolorous. He really didn’t appeal much to the CNN audience. But when he took his act to FOX, instant success ensued. He was unchained.
He appeals across the spectrum. I think he is converting more people to right-thinking than everyone else combined. So, don’t dismiss his bumpkin-ness the way the elites dismiss Palin’s similar bumpkin-ness. These are very powerful people, as they represent the values of traditional middle-America. They both have very large, devoted followings.
Jul 6, 2009 - 2:04 pm 32. Tri Geek:jharp: So am I to assume you actually read “Liberty & Tyranny”? You clearly don’t think much of it. Please enumerate the areas in which this book fails to meet your standards.
Jul 6, 2009 - 2:23 pm 33. Keith:Divide the country. Let the left twiddle with their wacky ideas to their heart’s content.
Are we really ready to see Western thought, the ideals of The Enlightenment, and the scientific method be struck from the planet by those governed by their emotions? It is the end of civilization.
We must divide the country into two parts–A velvet revolution to save the best of it. It is our duty.
Jul 6, 2009 - 2:46 pm 34. Former Marine (Colorado):A pudgy, uneducated opportunist who cries, Mike W. says, bouncing his baby on his knee, whilst Obama spends his and his child’s future!
Jul 6, 2009 - 4:15 pm 35. Dick GAINES:Who needs gb if you already have a PC???
he is just a successful opportunist/stooge for faux bs’in on things everyone already knows, while at the same time he badmouths the topics he’s afraid to touch and his masters will not allow him to touch, e.g., birthers, truthers, ml, those “camps,” etc.
Jul 6, 2009 - 4:21 pm 36. Joshua:Glenn Beck is a dangerous fellow. I have heard him disparage Israel on a number of occasions. He has the look and sound of a fascist. It is my fear that Obama’s demise will lead to the ascendance of someone of his ilk who, in the twinkling of an eye, would blame everything on the Jews.
Jul 6, 2009 - 4:30 pm 37. David Thomson:“I have heard him disparage Israel on a number of occasions.”
Huh? When did this ever happen? I have never heard Glenn Beck disparage Israel. Not even once. Do you have any evidence whatsoever to support this allegation? He also strongly advocates Constitutional checks and balances. This is the exact opposite of a fascist mindset.
Jul 6, 2009 - 5:42 pm 38. Brian:@36-Really?Hmmm i wonder what this means then?
Jul 6, 2009 - 6:05 pm 39. Pat J:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DghBaKAFpJI
Do you know who Joshua was?Just curious.
“In 2009, the citizenry is disinterested, distant, and befuddled, but they are not stupid.”
If that’s the case why are they listening and watching assclowns like Glenn Beck? At least he’s slightly more palatable than Michael Savage. But that doesn;t say too much.
Jul 6, 2009 - 6:49 pm 40. Tri Geek:Pat J: I’ll take Glenn Beck who ‘loves’ this country. You can take Keith Olberman who ‘loves’ himself.
Joshua- Glenn Beck has not disparaged Isreal. That is a lefty thing. Just through out nasty innuendos and hope someone runs with it. Nice try.
Jul 6, 2009 - 7:14 pm 41. Joshua:Beck hosts Michael Scheuer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxKIG8a9zQQ), an unabashed Israel hater, on a regular basis. He also pals around with Ron Paul, another avowed enemy of Israel.
Jul 6, 2009 - 9:03 pm 42. Blarty Blarckleblart:It’s such a great book Townhall.com is giving it away.
Jul 7, 2009 - 8:47 am 43. Pat J:I love this country too but at least I don’t cry on TV like a whiny ass baby.
Jul 7, 2009 - 9:36 am 44. Whitey:I enjoyed hearing him agree with Michael Scheuer, that what america needs to save itself from the liberals is for Osama bin Laden to attack an american city. What a classy guy.
Jul 7, 2009 - 9:59 am 45. Bushwacker:Yes, Whitey, it’d be a shame if Osama spares us and thereby ensures another GOP debacle.
Right, Glenn?
Jul 7, 2009 - 12:08 pm 46. TG:#42 “It’s such a great book Townhall.com is giving it away.”
FYI – Both the Levin book and the new book by Beck are NYT bestsellers.
Jul 7, 2009 - 12:19 pm 47. Annie:#43 – yeah, you just whine on the Internet like a whiny ass baby!
Jul 7, 2009 - 12:22 pm 48. Blarty Blarckleblart:FYI – Both the Levin book and the new book by Beck are NYT bestsellers.
If the NYT says it it must not be true, right?
FYI – Both the Levin book and the new book by Beck are NYT bestsellers.
Yes – Townhall.com bought a lot of them.
FYI – Both the Levin book and the new book by Beck are NYT bestsellers.
So is The Five Love Languages. Quality books all!
Jul 7, 2009 - 12:40 pm 49. TG:But Blarty, your original post (#42) was saying that no one was buying the books and that they had to be given away, a fact which is demonstrably false. In your latest, you’re contesting their best seller status, saying that Townhall.com is buying up all the copies of Common Sense (the reason for its success, of course!), and implying that the New York Times is lying about its best seller list, which would be odd in the cases of Beck or Levin, since it won’t review books by either author. You’re not making much sense.
Jul 7, 2009 - 4:01 pm 50. sheesh:I just wanted to add my post to get Glenn to 50. So sad, to see our resident lunatic ignored so. Gwenn, Gwenn, Gwenn, Gwenn, don’t get down. Don’t be bwue. Here’s a tissue. Go over there in the corner and snork for us,OK?
Jul 7, 2009 - 7:18 pm 51. sheesh:OK, 51 . . . I didn’t want it to look like a plant.
Jul 7, 2009 - 7:42 pm 52. Blarty Blarckleblart:But Blarty, your original post (#42) was saying that no one was buying the books and that they had to be given away, a fact which is demonstrably false.
No, my original post said this: “It’s such a great book Townhall.com is giving it away.”
Nowhere did I say that bulk sales to Townhall.com should be discounted compared to real sales to individuals paying their own hard-earned money.
That would be like saying that the fact that the previous-generation Chevy Malibu (not the nice new ones) wasn’t competitive with the Honda Accord just because it was mostly sold to fleets (government, rental, etc.).
I’m going to go ahead and admit that Glen’s book is probably every bit as good a book as those old Malibus were good cars.
Jul 8, 2009 - 7:56 am