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HOME > PUBLICATIONS > Exclusive: Glenn Beck: The Anti-Conservative

February 23, 2010

Exclusive: Glenn Beck: The Anti-Conservative

William R. Hawkins

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I used to enjoy the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). I even met the woman I married at one, back when I was teaching economics and serving as the faculty advisor to a College Republican chapter. But this year’s meeting left me worried about the future of conservatism. With the popularity of the Obama administration plummeting, good prospects for conservative gains in both house of Congress in November, and the rising enthusiasm of the populist Tea Party movement, I should be feeling good about the Right, but I’m not.
 
My concern is with the intellectual content of what is taking place under the heading “conservatism.” If how those on the Right think about the nation’s problems takes the wrong turn, it will be impossible to field candidates who can govern with the competency required to maintain majority public support. Americans are blessed with the conservative trait of not being an ideological people. They are practical problem-solvers, which is why the United States was able to rise from a cluster of colonies along the Atlantic coast into a continental Superpower that has led the world for over a century.
 
Ideology has come from the ivory tower, the product of various strands of liberal-Left “utopian” notions like socialism and anarchy which always fail because they are contrary to the lessons of history and human nature. And since failure is not an ideal outcome, it is wrong to even accord ideology the status of being the providence of “idealists.” As the dean of modern conservative thought Russell Kirk put it, “Being neither a religion nor an ideology, the body of opinion termed conservatism possesses no Holy Writ and no Das Kapital to provide dogmata.”
 
The results of CPAC's presidential straw poll are a warning that Kirk’s wisdom is in jeopardy from conservatism’s most deadly foe: libertarianism. The winner of the poll, with a plurality of 31 percent, was Congressman Ron Paul, the anti-war anarchist who is only nominally conservative. Paul wins points as a critic of deficit spending, but his harsh rhetoric against military programs is indistinguishable from the far Left. Former governors Mitt Romney, at 22 percent, and Sarah Palin, at 7 percent, came in second and third. Palin would have undoubtedly scored higher had she attended CPAC as Romney and Paul did, but it is not clear at whose expense. No wonder a majority of those polled wished there was a better field of potential conservative candidates.
 
Rep. Paul is not capable of leading. And neither is the talking head that drew the largest CPAC crowd as the closing act – Glenn Beck. As a libertarian, Beck is useful as a vocal critic of the socialist dogma that embodies the Left’s ideological base. But he offers nothing constructive for creating a rival governing party that can meet the very real challenges facing the United States in the 21st century.
 
Beck talks a great deal about the Constitution. Yet, his views are those of an Anti-Federalist, an opponent of effective government. He would likely have opposed adopting the Constitution at the time it was written. He named one of his recent books Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out of Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine was not a conservative. Indeed, he is a founder of liberalism. He was an early supporter of the French Revolution, the nursery of nearly every dangerous left-wing notion that has plagued the world since. One of the fathers of modern conservatism, Edmund Burke, was a foe of both Paine and the French Terror. Paine wrote The Rights of Man as a counter to Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France. Paine’s concept of “rights” has bred the welfare state and social decay.
 
Beck’s Anti-Federalist outlook is best shown in his rejection of the modern presidency which he blames on “progressives.” Beck thinks, “Under the original system, the president was merely leader of a single branch, or part, of the government, and thus could not provide leadership of the government as a whole.” Yet, the principle accomplishment of the Constitution was the creation of the chief executive. The Confederation, the first form of government after the revolution, only had a Congress. It failed miserably. It was lack of effective government, particularly in regard to foreign policy and national economic development, which prompted the drafting of the Constitution. And the overwhelming choice of George Washington, the “father of his country” who had led American troops to victory, as the first president demonstrated what the Founders wanted in a leader.
 
Conservatives dominated politics at the end of the 19th century, coasting on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War. With new challenges looming, President Theodore Roosevelt fostered a revival of the Federalist Founders. In his biography of Gouverneur Morris for the American Statesman series, Roosevelt wrote “Jacobinism, socialism, communism, nihilism and anarchism – these are the real foes of a democratic republic.” Morris was the U.S. ambassador to Revolutionary France. He also wrote much of the Constitution, including the opening, “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union.” TR’s closest political ally was Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge, who wrote biographies of Washington and Alexander Hamilton for the Statesman series.
In his book First Great Triumph: How Five Americans Made Their Country a World Power, diplomat turned historian Warren Zimmerman looks at Teddy Roosevelt and his political circle, including naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan, Secretary of State John Hay, and corporate lawyer turned colonial administrator Elihu Root, as well as Sen. Lodge. One of their accomplishments “was to strengthen the American presidency. All five were followers of Alexander Hamilton and believers in activist government. Roosevelt was the first strong president since Lincoln.” writes Zimmerman. He quotes TR from 1906, “In any nation which amounts to anything, those in the end must govern who are willing actually to do the work of governing.”
 
At CPAC, Beck attacked Teddy Roosevelt for having said, "we grudge no man a fortune in civil life if it is honorably obtained and well used . . . so long as the gaining represents benefit to the community." To Beck the libertarian, any sense of community is to be rejected. Indeed, he called TR’s statement an example of “socialist utopia” in his demagogic rant. Greed is to be embraced regardless of its consequences to society at large. This is the fundamental divide between conservatives and libertarians; whether there is any sense of community, from family up to national loyalty, or is it every man from himself in a brutish state of nature. Only one creates a civilization worth conserving.
Given that the economy is still suffering from the consequences of the libertarian attitude as practiced by Wall Street, Beck offers no hope that conservatives will learn from the policy mistakes that led to their ouster from power in the elections of 2006 and 2008.
 
Conservatives lost Washington for a very practical reason. The voters believed they were incompetent. In 2006, the Bush administration had become bogged down in Iraq, and nothing saps legitimacy from a government faster than failure in war. That problem was fixed fairly rapidly, however, by a change in Defense Secretaries which allowed commanders on the ground to devise in very practical ways a strategy to defeat the insurgents.
 
In 2008 the problem was bigger, the collapse of the financial system and the onset of the Great Recession. As the “keepers of business” conservatives were correctly blamed for turning a blind eye to the consequences of the deregulation the party had enacted to please Wall Street. Though the Bush administration launched textbook counter-recessionary policies, they could not take effect before the 2008 election. And since then, the party’s Congressional leaders have opposed all economic reforms that would speed recovery or prevent a relapse. But to allow libertarian ideology to determine economic policy is as foolish as to let it determine military strategy.
 
Liberals are in trouble as well from reliance on Congressional government and ideological priorities that do not meet national needs. A year has been wasted pushing what has always been the top socialist priority everywhere, a takeover of health care. Meanwhile, the public was facing rising unemployment. The lead role in policy making was delegated to Congress. The result was legislation filled with special interest pork, running into thousands of pages which nevertheless failed to address the problems supposedly being tackled. Log-rolling and vote buying gave to the public an image of corruption on a grand scale.
 
Beck is wrong. The current administration is not strong, but weak. Conservatives would have made gains based on the unsound principles behind the health care and “cap and trade” proposals, but it is the current administration’s poor performance that is driving its poll numbers down to match the bitter disapproval rating of Congress. Conservatives who take on libertarian ideology are incapable of producing either strong leaders or constructive programs, because they reject the very idea of leadership or effective government, and therefore cannot perform duties as a governing party. They will not win the loyalty of the general public which demands success. They may win an election now and then as a backlash against liberals, but they will not be able to stand strong and proud if they allow themselves to be incapacitated by an irresponsible ideology.
 
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor William R. Hawkins is a consultant specializing in international economic and national security issues. He is a former economics professor and Republican Congressional staff member.

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William R. Hawkins: The results of CPAC's presidential straw poll are a warning that Kirk’s wisdom is in jeopardy from conservatism’s most deadly foe: libertarianism.

Ronald Reagan: I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism....The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom, and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

My own view is that conservatism is a belief in the importance of preserving a past system, and so describing something as conservative is uninformative without including what would be preserved. I think libertarians are Declaration of Independence-conservatives.

posted by: yoikes
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:00 AM

You made several good points. But:
I do not think that Libertarians are the enemy of Conservatives, they are allies, very similar in over all aims.
Libertarians and Conservatives, I think, differ more from Libertarians more on military, that is where the different lies. Though I do not think Paul is anti war.
I did not get that a lack of regulation is what led to the crisis.
Libertarians do not reject community, and Beck has spoken out against Greed.

posted by: Alan
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:36 AM

"Given that the economy is still suffering from the consequences of the libertarian attitude as practiced by Wall Street..."

Wrong, wrong, wrong. And this is still the mainstream opinion?

The cause of the recession wasn't free markets. The free market doesn't even exist! The problem was caused by the Federal Reserve. The cheap and easy expansion of credit lead to malinvestment in the housing sector.

I could explain in detail but haven't the time. However, if you want to understand what happened, and not have to rely on that Keynesian nonsense, read "Meltdown" by Thomas E Woods.

It'll change the way you think about economics, money, war and the role of government.

posted by: John
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 07:50 AM

Great article, but I fail to see how reforming healthcore while leaving private insurers firmly in place is every "socialist's dream." If that is so, you may want to inform every other capitalist country that has a FAR more socialist system than what Obama is peddling.

posted by: Frank Daniels
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 07:58 AM

I see Glenn Beck as an informer for the common man. For far too long, we have allowed ourselves to be labeled by an affiliation to a party. Why can't these people just do the business of the American people? Just do the right thing! People are fed up with the democrats and the republicans. They are nothing but the same crappy product in different wrappers. I think Beck is exposing these rats and I applaud him for doing so. Besides, any true conservative would not fall into Glenns crosshairs if they were doing the right thing...

posted by: James Lackey
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 08:59 AM

Wow! The progressives have nothing to worry about. All they have to do is stand back and watch us turn and eat our own. I guess the conservatives who wrote this article feel that when confronted with the truth about the state of the Republican party, the best course of action is to commit suicide. A HOUSE DIVIDED CAN NOT STAND.

posted by: David Nelson
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 08:59 AM

David Nelson puts the matter in proper perspective.

posted by: Bill Bledsoe
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:05 AM

Let Beck do what he's good at-- Exposing and explaining. So far, he's done more with a chalkboard than O has done with a teleprompter. Informing and educating the people with real truth and facts is the most important job there is. For far too long and for all the wrong reasons we've had folks voting on bad and skewed information. Too many out there that shouldn't be allowed to vote, anyway, with their rabid, partisan,uneducated minds-- Time for real change-- Time for the folks to take back their country and bring it back to the image and operation that the founding fathers started it on.

posted by: Bill Kurz
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:09 AM

Glen Beck tells it like it is. Republicans and Democates are responsible for the problems the country has. As for him being Anti-conservative, I don't think so. He is facing reality. For us to get out of this mess, there is going to have to be an increase of taxes, but with his opinion that Congress is spending way too much and needs to cut is an honest opinion.

posted by: BEckyal
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:34 AM

I believe Glenn does a good job exposing what liberalism is doing to our socity. However I believe he should do more to expose the republican party for their faults.

posted by: John J Peer
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:34 AM

Spot on, Bill Kurz!! Beck's purpose is to shine light on the truth. Overall he does a splendid job of it. He is foremost a teacher--and he knows it. There are times when he is too silly, times when he interupts his guests (O'Reilly is worse--on purpose) and times when he blows his own horn too loudly. In spite of all that, his mission is a vital role in the re-discovery of what it means to be American, and he serves as a necessary motivator in the re-construction of American policy, practice and protocol. His mission is to instruct truth, inspire critical thinking and provoke action--at least while we are still free to do so.

posted by: Awakened Patriot
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:35 AM

he can be enlightening, but, i have some reservations on a fewof his statements. he would do well to examine his opinions before he utters them.

posted by: donald field
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:38 AM

Absolutely ridiculous in every sense of the word. Do you people have an idea how much money that loudmouth so-called conservative Glenn Beck makes?

Think about it? His books? Always bestsellers. He holds the franchise rights to all the merchandise he promotes on his radio & television shows. His one and only programing agenda is pushing new authors he $befriends$ who have written another worthless politically motivated book to add scrumptiously too their already bloated bank accounts.

Check all this out for yourselves starting with the hidden agenda with Lennon's Socialistic party for starters. Rule # one of any Communist takeover. The greatest tool for crushing any democracy.

(1) Addressing without restraints all these insurmountable problems our country now faces, with no real viable solution to any.

(2) Get the ignorant peasants talking among themselves, that these social-political problems are now being addressed.

(3) creating phony opposition leaders, is the best way to maximum oppression...

examples:

Rush Limbaugh,Michael Savage & Glenn Beck + all the rest who's quick wit and seducing tone can even blind the Patriots.

Thus, for the most part non-action is second kin too political suicide. As is false teaching some devilishly clever false doctrine's are of the status quo.

You want a reality check? It's about $money$,& $money$ alone. Logically speaking, if these guys were such a great threat too this socialist establishment soon to grace this world stage of ours. Do you really believe they would be alive to expose this evil behind our very own government?

Of course not?

NO, they would be silenced immediately if the New World order saw them as a threat, other than propaganda machines.

The tea party movement was dead from the start. That brainwashing is now complete. Its time to embrace the new socialist doctrine of devils...


It's a pity that so many good American soldiers & civilians had to sacrifice themselves in all those previous bloody wars. So, an inferior breed of man could surrender the freedoms and our God-given sovereignty to become another evil Communist entity ruled by wicked tyrants...

God forgive us all

posted by: Paul West
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:47 AM

Glenn Beck has demonstrated what I've believed all along. That when a people (individually) inform and educate themselves and begin to share with their neighbors, change can begin, one person at a time. It's inspiring, even if/when we disagree. At least now we're doing something. Inaction is still a choice and we've gone THAT stupid route long enough. I'm inspired to read, read, read, get more information so when my neighbors start to ask the questions, I know where to point to as a source, intelligently sharing constructive ways to get involved and change this Country back to the dream she was in the beginning...people hungry for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! The pursuit is half the fun. I'm soooo motivated and it's exciting! God Bless the USA!

posted by: Diana Wilkerling
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:02 AM

Glenn Beck has a unique perspective on long term cultural and societal changes that result from liberal agendas in both the government arena (Fed, State & Local)as well as Religions and current socialogical norms. He can see and expose history being written today and tomorrow...not yesterday or last year.

His paradigm typially offers objective clarity without obscuring and muddling the topic with host of "related issues".

Conservatives need Glenn Beck just as we need all the other visionaries and spokespeople we have to provide balance to our own conservative agenda. After all...if we can't critique ourselves and improve our stand on the core principles and values of America first, Western Civilization second, and the state of world affairs third...who will?

The liberal agenda while swift and seemingly focused is not balanced...It remains heavily splintered by very special interests of minute fractions that in accomodating each other...lay the groundwork for accelerated cultural and societal breakdown.

Many (not all) liberal accomplishments are the result of an uneducated public being marketed (and accepting based on factors other than intellect and knowledge) what's good for them as uneducated individuals and as a whole.

posted by: Charlie Bredbachs
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:09 AM

If you have any questions about the goverments obligation to the people, Read the Constitution!

posted by: Joseph Poudrier
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:10 AM

You hit the nail on the head, AWAKENED PATRIOT. America, it's not the, character. It's not the, presentation. America, it's the WISDOM, in the MESSAGE. I was shaken up, when,Mr Beck looked seriously into the camera and stated "Mr Scott Brown of Massachusetts, America, will never take our eyes off you". I pray that GOD, will bless America, with another one hundred American Patriot's like Mr Glenn Beck's

posted by: johntvalentine
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Right on, David Nelson!
Since when were Conservative and Republican synonymous? Glenn is a conservative and is sharing what he believes. PERIOD! We who feel he has a message for us, listen; others don't. I have been inspired and taught. Does ANYONE else even mention the Constitution of the United States?

posted by: Lynnese Paulson
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:15 AM

This is just like conservatives - knocking one of the better speakers for the cause like Glenn Beck because he has a delivery different from what is considered "real conservative". No wonder the Democrats and leftists and people like Obama were able to defeat us - we need people like Glenn Beck who stands up against the left unashamedly and forcefully.

posted by: Charlie Sseng
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:18 AM

Glenn Beck is helping Americans to wake up and see just how we have been invaded over the years by the progressives. Our current occupant of the WH has moved their agenda to a new level. I appreciate what Glenn has done to reeducate me and help me bring my Republican friends around to being true to our country. Out with the Progressives!

posted by: Kay Greenwood
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Glenn has been doing what our history teachers have not been doing for the last 30+ years....giving us a good history lesson. Beyond that, I'm not sure he has a plan. We don't need a bunch of Libertarians running around, "every man doing what is right in his own eyes..." Read the book of Judges and see how that worked out for Israel.

posted by: Una
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:39 AM

Say what you will about Glenn Beck but he has done more to teach the history of this nation and why we are in the current sad state we are than the entire GOP establishment and their beloved Dept of Education combined. On that basis conservatism is not threatened by Beck. Instead conservatism is either threatened by a lack of conservative leaders or a lack courage by those who are recognized as such.

When the conservative message is delivered by Newt Gingrich who voted to establish the Dept of Education, set aside millions of Alaskan acres as Federal Lands etc. there is a problem and that problem starts inside the beltway in bed with lobbyist of one foreign or corporate entity or another.

So called Conservative leaders like Mitt Romney had a chance to lay forth their plan to establish an effective government. They could have rebuked the "progressive" agenda which includes increasing threats to our national sovereignty at the hands of tyrants in the United Nations, international courts etc. Which conservative leader addressed the illegal immigration issue and vowed to restore the Rule of Law and declare amnesty of any kind anti-American, a freshman member of the House of Representatives? Which one of these so called conservatives spoke about eliminating the income tax in favor of taxation as our Founders intended?

And you wonder why Paul and Beck are so popular while the do nothing establishment and majority of GOP incumbents are not.

Beck is right about the Progressive nature of the political class in both parties being the enemy of this nation.

Paul is right about many issues, especially regarding economics, and he is not who#ing for well funded special interest groups (to later seek employment from i.e. Billy "Big Pharma" Tauzin et al). Of course the GOP establishment doesn’t care about the real economy and working people because they always manage to take care of themselves and each other. Romney and McCain are still rich despite the economic calamity we have suffered. How many millions of Americans are out of work, losing homes etc.

Beck and Paul are both leaders who are courageous.

Perhaps the real political concern is contained within the neo-con wing of the GOP because they sense the end of an era where they will no longer be able to use traditional conservatives to do their bidding. With the voices of Beck and Paul beginning to reach the conscience of so many fellow citizens Constitutional conservatives are waking up for the first time in many days to the hope and promise of a Morning in America.

posted by: SovereignMan
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:01 AM

He is becoming more egotistical all the time - his attack on Debra Medina really showed a side I hoped wasn't there - he is a shill for Perry and is more interested in self promotion than patriotism.

Sad we desperately need what he pretends to be!

posted by: Dick Lindsay
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:04 AM

Glen is well read & understands our predicament quite fully. I appreciate his straight forwardness & look forward to his program on FOX...He provides the impetus for thinking things through, discussion, & perhaps action...

posted by: Martha Haynsworth
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:11 AM

Stay unified, conservatives! On balance, I'll take the worst Republican over a Democrat any day. The Libertarians serve a purpose- but will only split our vote.

And- to John J. Peer- Beck does more than enough to expose the problems in the Republican Party. He needs to continue to expose the struggle within the democrat party between the moderates and the socialists.

posted by: Trisha
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Beck is screaming - look for the truth about how our country should be run-- look to the play book in the Constitution and the other founding documents. When I have called my Illegal Alien Loving Congress-people here in California, they do the confrontation dance and speak slower and softer to appear in control. THEY ARE NOT LISTENING and I the fact that I feel the need to speak louder, is not working either. The Tax Day TEA parties from 2009 were the megaphone that woke up the country- everyone except Congress & Oba-maniac in the WH. The semblance of TEA (Taxed Enough Already)Party organizing is for communication - we are at war with our elected representatives and we need to establish communication links. (In war you disrupt the enemy comm-lines---- look at what they are trying to control the internet/TV/ Radio. Iran is doing it !!!)
If the conservative movement forces the Republican to vet their conservatives and not SELECT moderates who flee from the conservative concepts when elected-- that is great. The Republican Party needs to listen to the desires of the nation to Keep It Simple Sweetheart (KISS Principle). Let me achieve and be rewarded I can help those in need...... Ayn Rand in "Atlas Shrugged" -- the producers knew how to fix the problem, but chose to retreat until they would be listened to.
Truth, Honor, Freedom and Responsibility for the individual spirit, Glen wants the nation to seek it in the founding documents and extend the hope to the rest of the world......
We need to Change the Hope, and
say Nope to the Dope in the WH. Out of Innings- LA Mike

posted by: LA Mike
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:04 AM

Simply put on Glen Beck: He makes us think about our government in non-traditional ways. His tatics however insane work, people research more, think more and the end result is that they will vote..

posted by: Chelsea
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:09 AM

This article really got my attention. It says what I've believed for some time. Most people who call themselves conservatives forget the most important poinr of our constitution and that is: Ask yourselves wwhat the purpose and intent of our forefathers was when they wrote the constitution? When you study enough to find the real answers to this, most of you will think different than you do now. What you and I or any other (no matter how eduated or slick talking) person says can change the true answers to the purpose and intent was for the constitution being written. Your opinion doesn't change the facts.

posted by: Alfred Boggs
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:15 AM

I like Glenn Beck, he's not afraid to say what we've all been waiting for someone to say. He has been very instrumental,in waking up a nation that has been pacifistic for way too long. I don't agree with Glenn on everything, but I do agree that both parties have been raping "We The People" and stealing our rights and liberties, while we all looked the other way. I liken it to Christian Churches, if Christians of all denominations would cast aside their single minded church doctrines, and unite a one Christian people, this country would not be in the condition it is today. United Christian's would never stand for being lied too, or looking the other way, while corruption goes rampant in D.C. We would still have all the basic morals that were there at the inception of this great nation. We have lost our way, and we need to find our way back to the good principles that were instrumental in founding this Republic. I think Glenn Beck is helping us do just that.

posted by: Jerry
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:16 AM

Im disappointed in him. He is a true turn coat. When I first joined the tea party movement he was awesome, but he is being bought off! Too bad Glenn. I thought you were going to be different but obviously you like many before have shown your true colors....(blue).

posted by: Cherrell
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:34 AM

If all my conservative friends ( and I do consider all of you a friends) will take the time and get you a dictionary to study what the constitution says, wewill all be better for it. Just reciting the words without knowing the meanings of them isn't studying.Until you do this, you can be led to believe what others are telling you.

posted by: Alfred Boggs
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:35 AM

Hawkins wrote: "Conservatives lost Washington for a very practical reason. The voters believed they were incompetent. In 2006, the Bush administration had become bogged down in Iraq, and nothing saps legitimacy from a government faster than failure in war....."

I believe it was more far reaching than this. Bush and the Republicans failed to define the enemy. Actually Bush did his utmost to protect those who were most intimately involved in the 9/11 attacks. But he went further. Bush was the first US president to make the establishment of a Muslim-terror state in Israel a "formal goal of US policy," thus making the Jews rather than Islam the enemy. Bush and the Republicans codified this abomination in our Republican national party platform in August 2004, and then re-affirmed it in 2008. Having lied to the American people about the enemy, is it any wonder Mr. Obama - whose roots are in Islam - took the White House?

posted by: Steve Klein
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 01:31 PM

"I do not think that Libertarians are the enemy of Conservatives, they are allies, very similar in over all aims."
Agreed. I believe WE ALL have more in common, than not. What we lack is respect for other points of view. Lack of common sense and respect have brought us down.
From the White House to the street. Lack of reason, good manners, respect and, ethics...

posted by: Cynthia
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 01:32 PM

For all the posters on this forum who are angry or disappointed with Glenn Beck - including Mr. Hawkins and I am assuming the editors of Family Security Matters -- what would it take for Beck to ingratiate himself to you?

I cannot say I am intimately familiar with every one of Beck's positions. On foreign policy and domestic security, unlike many of our Republican party leaders and activists, Beck seems to know the enemy.

If Beck has been bought off, who bought him off? Does Beck need to be a Republican party apologist in order to gain favor with you?

If I want to listen to a party apologist and one who carried water for George W. Bush for eight years, I can listen to either Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity.

Is this what it takes to be a "good" conservative Republican? A blind partisan and an apologist?

posted by: Steve Klein
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 01:42 PM

I am a conservative Republican and I agree with much of the principles Glenn Beck says. I did think Beck sounded a little like he is ready to start another party, and I did not like that. So did Sarah Palin, and I am not ready to start another party, yet. I have never been active before, but this president has caused me to go ballistic. I have organized 9 tea parties and become the precinct developer and county rep for the Republican party because I believe that a third party will split the conservative vote as with Goldwater and Ross Perot.
I am fully persuaded that the Democratic Congress ruined George Bush's presidency. I do not believe Bush, himself, is at fault for the war, the economy, and most of the things he is blamed for. I do not think he was perfect, but Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid had a stranglehold on him most of the second term. I DO believe there were weapons of mass distruction in Iraq regardless what anyone says. There was evidence found where they were hidden in Syria, etc.
I DO believe Barack Hussein Obama intends to help Islam become the leader of the world. This is evidenced by all the Islams he has brought to the White House, and other signs.
I DO think if we squabble of personalities, the Muslims will take over sooner.

posted by: Linda Harper
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 02:29 PM

Beck has not lied to us yet.He has put a lot of time into researching and exposing the truth.
Many people are unjustly critical of him,I think because of jealousy,but that's their problem.
I have fond Beck to be informative and honest.I hope that he continues to do the good work.

posted by: Robbie
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:03 PM

Linda, you wrote: "I am fully persuaded that the Democratic Congress ruined George Bush's presidency...."

Linda, please do not be offended. My intent is not to injure your feelings - only to make a point.

This is where I fully agree with Beck when he says, we (the Republican party) need to have a "come to Jesus moment," even though I am not a Christian but a Jew.

What he means, as a self-described recovering alcoholic, is that the Republican party has yet to acknowledge that we have a problem.

The first step to recovery is acknowledging we have a problem.

Please read my comment above, posted "Tuesday, 1:31 PM." I am fully persuaded that George W. Bush ruined George W. Bush's presidency, along with a willing and or complicit Congress, Republican party faithful, etc.

I am a thirty eight year registered Republican, former eight year party activist; precinct committeeman. I am certain my party is responsible for the ascendancy of Barack Hussein Obama, who as you suggest may "intend to help Islam become the leader of the world."

Whether he intends or not, I believe this will be a large part of his legacy and we Republicans only have ourselves to blame.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid did not make Bush do the irresponsible things he did - particularly to our ally Israel - nor say the irresponible things he said about Islam. Pelosi did not make Bush cover for his and his father's Saudi friends.

Regards,
Steve

posted by: Steve Klein
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:12 PM

"This is the fundamental divide between conservatives and libertarians; whether there is any sense of
community, from family up to national loyalty, or is it every man for himself in a brutish state of nature."

Mr. Hawkins, for you as a meticulous thinker to state that "To Beck the libertarian, any sense of community is to be rejected." - why, you take my breath away! Who can suspect Glenn Beck, the family man, the churchgoer, of rejecting community? His repeated assurance to viewers is, "You are not alone". Have you seen his meetings with various groups, such as physicians, black professionals, homemakers, etc? The man is a walking embodiment of community spirit. In just a year, his show has almost created a virtual community, constituted by his audience. Nor have I ever heard him speak out against the mediating structures required to organize and stabilize a Republic.

And what of "Greed"? Definition, please. Except as a caricature to flog the free market, it is not a useful term. Name one monopoly that was ever achieved without governmental assistance.

Beck never aspired to be a leader, and probably still doesn't. He paints in broad strokes, and his ongoing reading will allow him to learn new and finer distinctions. But he has done more to educate the public on Progressivism than all other educators combined.

posted by: Dr J
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:28 PM

Cynthia, at 01:32 PM, you wrote: "I do not think that Libertarians are the enemy of Conservatives, they are allies, very similar in over all aims."

I consider myself conservative-right on most issues. I can agree with some Libertarian views; on the economy for instance, though not on social issues.

Smaller, more efficient government that taxes far, far less for example. I do not demand nor expect anything from the federal government, but the basics. National security for instance. The federal government needs to raise an army and wage war when necessary. Perhaps maintain some national highways and regulate commerce. That is about it.

To most Libertarians around here, Dr. Ron Paul is their national hero. I cannot ally with Dr. Paul or his supporters. On foreign policy Dr. Paul and I are galaxies apart. Unlike Paul, I am not a Charles Lindbergh isolationist. Nor am I an reckless interventionist.

On foreign policy and national security, I believe Dr. Paul and his ideas pose a grave danger, perhaps an existential threat to this nation as well as to our friends and allies.

If Mr. Beck supports Ron Paul and his ideas, I cannot ally with Glenn Beck. I believe Ron Paul's libertarianism is that extreme; it is that dangerous.

posted by: Steve Klein
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:35 PM

I believe the question is 'What do you think of Glenn Beck', but apparentlay some people want to simply bash a man who takes a stand FOR America, our Declaration of Independence, our US Constitution and our Bill of Rights --- My goodness ... where do I begin? (referring to Paul West's remarks):
Mr. Beck is likely the most principled commentator who researches more than anyone I've ever encountered or watched. Rather than just throwing out lame, untrue, erroneous, slanted, DECEITFUT stats and "facts", he actually vets those he speaks about and the TRUE facts of any issue prior to commenting on them on his radio or TV show. As far as his not having or giving any solutions to the situation our country is presently in, what do you call WAKING UP AMERICANS TO THE REAL PROBLEMS AND DANGERS WE FACE FROM THE DECEITFULNESS OF BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES? He is as much disgusted with and exposes the Republican Party as he does the Democrat Party. In many ways, he is even more critical of the Republican Party because of their spinelessness in standiing up for what's right for our country.They would rather sit idly by as our Constitution and freedoms are eroded by corruption in government - BOTH parties. He has shone the light upon the White House residents, both past and present as well as Congress - BOTH sides of the isle and God bless him for that.
If he earns (EARNS) a lot of money it's because he has been proven to be right and has informed millions of Americans and WE buy his books and whatever else we care to purchase --- FREE WILL, as it were. Our country was and IS built upon capitalism - THANK THE LORD we have that freedom! Do you, Mr. Paul West, resent his ability to EARN a healthy income in America? Do you resent him for being a man WE chose to listen to and watch on television?
Do you also resent him for his spine and love for our country, complete with the true definition of our Constitution and his stance against anti-Constitutional behaviors from within our own government? Do you resent him because he puts himself out in front of any-one who he understands will do and say whatever they can to discredit him, but does so anyway because of his convictions? Is it grating on your nerves to know that Mr. Beck is an American who deeply loves our country and the Founding Fathers' intent and love for freedom?
When Mr. Beck makes an error, he immediately corrects it - unlike the masses within the government. He also DOES NOT LIE TO AMERICA, nor does he hide behind anyone else to reach his goals or deny the facts, straight-faced like politicians, or skewed media do on a daily basis.
I would say this in closiing: I deeply appreciate Glenn Beck and his belief and love of our Constitution and our country. I appreciate that he is where he is - by God's placement - to help any and all who care to learn and understand what America and its founding are truly all about - GOD INSPIRED and BLESSED. We owe our children and future generations the fullness of God's blessings in America --- we owe NOTHING to the despicable, conniving, deceitful (LYING), "officials" in the White House or in Congress, or in any office, local, state or federal: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD, indevisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Does THAT sound whacked to you? If so, you are not a Glenn Beck supporter, but I am and very proud to be so. May God protect and bless Ameria and Mr. Beck and all others who have and are taking a stand for what's right in and about America. For those things that are not right, may God guide us to correct them together as one nation under GOD, as it is, regardless of those who claim otherwise. (Those are free to leave our wonderful country for somewhere else of their chosing - we won't stop them from leaving)

posted by: Rhonda Spaur
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:57 PM

Beck is doing a very commendable job of waking up the citizens of this great republic.
While I don't agree with all of his positions
and arguments, I'm with him 90% of the time.
I'm a conservative, not a Republican.

Thanks

posted by: John Paul
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:17 PM

I tend to agree with most of what Beck says, but my blood pressure tends to go up when I listen to him or watch him, so I avoid doing that much of the time. I suppose what he says angers and frustrates me because even though he is correct, I share his fearing for our country and there doesn't seem to be very much that we can do to correct the things that must be done. The nation is bankrupt in more ways than just the economy, and my generation has allowed it to happen. Shame on my generation.

posted by: Marcus in Texas
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:40 PM

I re-read the comments and I am quite astounded. I wasn't aware that asking a question of someone (Debra Medina) was an attack on said person. No interruptions when answering the question, nor was she ridiculed in any way by Beck, so from where was the attack launched and by whom? He's a commentator, he asked his question and then voiced his opinion after the call, which is what the man does. Shouldn't we be aware of all stances those who want to gain an office or any control over our lives take, be it our sovereignty, our economy, our school system, or any other issue we face, including conspiracy theories. If there is concrete proof, then it should be shown to all of America.
No one is forced to agree with Beck, nor to listen. (It's that free will thing)
Trust and honor has to be restored in government for our citizens to respond favorably to anyone running for office. It's that simple.
Isn't a service to VET each and every person who wants a piece of the American political landscape?
Point two is the remark that Beck is self-promoting and egotistical --- he asks and promotes his desire that Americans read, learn, investigate, and don't take his word for anything. If any of that is self-promoting and egotistical, then I think we simply have a disagreement with the terms used.
Point three is that I've never heard Mr. Beck promoting Perry, but he's certainly suggested everyone learn for themselves who Perry is and if he stands for THEIR principles. I'd rather agree that that is sound advice for all Americans to vet whomever is running for any office that will affect each person in that particular state or across Ameria. It takes a man like Beck to do so. Just makes good sense to me to hear facts and take from them what we need to either deny or help someone's gain to an office. It's up to the American voters to discern - Beck is one fine teaching tool that we are fortunate to have at our disposal.
Truth and character matter, so his asking questions then allowing the answers seem quite fair.

posted by: Rhonda Spaur
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 05:51 PM

I AGREE WITH YOU RHONDA AND JOHN PAUL. The only ones who wouldn't like Glenn would be the ones who want to keep their heads buried in the sand and let the liers and power grabbers in Washington take away all our freedoms. Glenn is thoroughly researching everything he says and is humble enough to admit if he is wrong about something. he is just trying to wake us up from our lethergy and help us to see what is really happening in our country, for that I say GOD BLESS him and I hope he continues to do so. If he was so bad as some say ,his audience wouldn't be so many million people who are waking up and really want to know what is going on in this country and decide there is something we can do about it!!!Also the TEA PARTIES are doing good and letting the people in DC know we are onto them and are not going to set back and let them take our freedoms from us. WE WILL UNITE FOR OUR FREEDOM. We have set back too long and let them get by with their garbage and it is past time we do something about it. once they get to DC in office they seem to forget who sent them there and just go about doing things their way and not listen to the ones who put them there. It is time this changed and they listen to the ones who they are elected to represent.They lie when they are running for office and once they get in office the true person comes out and in most cases anymore it seems it is nothing like the person they tried to make us think they were when they were running for that office. I am conservative and used to be republican but I can't say I really sup[port them any more with all the things they are letting happen in DC and seem to be setting on their hands and not fighting as they should. Third party? I don't know about that yet. Maybe it is time we considered it if both major parties are going to sell us down the river.JUST A THOUGHT!!

posted by: Jeannie
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 06:04 PM

Question: If a Republican candidate is corrupt or seems to be hiding something, should 'good republicans' vote for that individual anyway, just so long as a democrat doesn't win the seat? Would it be better that republicans vote in that person, regardless of how he/she would vote or behave once in office? Harrowing thought. Why not vote in a Democrat who is more honorable and trustworthy? Does the "R" or "D" make the difference, or is it the true character of the person?
Isn't that the message from Glenn Beck? that character matters? Does that mean conservatives "eating their own"? I don't follow that logic - isn't trying to do all we can to clean up our own "party" for a better, brighter America for ALL - Democrat and Republican AMERICANS the best solution? There should never be a division on the merits of honor and truth just because one affiliates with one party or the other, should there? If Beck spoke of Republicans being the only viable, honest people to vote for, then I'd see him as partisan and unworthy to instruct or inform anyone with any credibility. Since he readily states that BOTH major parties are corrupt, isn't he doing us a real service to "out" anyone who is trying to deceive as one thing, but in fact is entirely different from the face shown?

posted by: Rhonda Spaur
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 06:44 PM

Question: If a Republican candidate is corrupt or seems to be hiding something, should 'good republicans' vote for that individual anyway, just so long as a democrat doesn't win the seat?"

I believe Mr. Hawkins would say "Yes." That is the impression I got reading this piece. Mr. Hawkins reminds me of a Republican party official I knew - a very bright man. When I complained about some of former President George W. Bush's policies, he asked me, "Would you rather Al Gore were president?"

posted by: Steve Klein
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 07:28 PM

Glen Beck is a New World Order sell out. He is a pied piper - a fake conservative being used to lead real conservatives back into the New World Order-controlled republican party.

I am so joyous in my heart to know that God will bring justice to men of deceit.

posted by: Allan Treffry
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:57 PM

I have watched both Obama give speech after speech, and Glenn Beck, episode after episode telling two opposite things.

So we have to decide who the liar is. The answer should be easy, so you shouldn't have to ask.

posted by: Richard
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:18 AM

Glenn Beck is strong against illegal immigration and amnesty, which is the key issue to me as illegal immigration impacts everything. Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich and other pro-amnesty Republican sellouts are the bigger threat to conservatism and fiscal sanity.

posted by: NO CIR AMNESTY
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 12:45 AM

I would like to invite Mr. William Hawkins and other Americans to read my article entitled "A spineless & brainless nation" which appeared on 11/17/2009 in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review,


The following are the first few paragraphs of my article:

The United States went from being the world's greatest creditor nation to being the world's greatest debtor nation in less than 3 decades. What happened?

While serving as comptroller general of the United States, David Walker urged our national leaders to learn from the fall of Rome. He warned that the U.S. budget deficits, extended wars abroad, health care and immigration are critical issues that require immediate actions.

Indeed, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone have cost American taxpayers more than $1 trillion, according to some estimates.

..

Americans, liberal and conservative, should practice fiscal responsibility, learn from history, and let foresight guide their thinking/policies.

Yeh Ling-Ling, Alliance for a Sustainable USA

posted by: Yeh Ling-Ling
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:06 PM

Ron Paul is "...an anti-war anarchist"? I guess that makes Mr.Hawkins a pro-war militarist who supports invading countries under false pretenses.

posted by: Ken
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 02:52 PM

I thought classical conservatism was in support of large business and management of companies, while liberal thought (not the same as liberalism in the global context) is in support of the workers. Ronald Reagan turned that principle inside out, with the dawn of neo-conservatism, which is an effort to grab the working class vote. By golly it worked. Part of the tactic is to use Libertarianism, which is a hybrid form of conservatism. It has better ideas, in my opinion, than neoconservatism, but people often adopt elements of both.

posted by: Diane Oraif
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 01:30 AM

This article shook up my faith in Family Security Matters. "Shooting people on our side in the back" like this article did helps the progressives and hurts conservatives. Libertarians on the most part are conservative and even if they are libral they will never be a progressive. This article is very dissappointing. The two words I had to type in to post this comment are appropo - effect tampax!

posted by: Kafir
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 07:48 PM

You don't know Glenn Beck. You aren't even close. Beck has great problems with the politics of Washington, Democratic or Republican. He doesn't like the bureaucracy that essentially runs this country. I don't know about Conservatives. I'm not too sure that I know any, at least among those in DC. I am a conservative and I'm quite comfortable with Beck's beliefs. No, he does not have an plan for an organized party that could lead the USA in a truly conservative manner. I don't think any of us know how to do that. But we've got to work in that direction. We desperately need a conservative leader, in office, and a conservative legislature that can put the country above self, and can legislate without monster give aways to narrow interests. These people must begin to trim government and identify the real interests of our country, to put our country into a direction that will enrich all our citizens. There are so many things out of control in DC that this task will take time. It needs to be based upon principles and values (912 Project for instance) such as those which Beck advocates.

There is the potential for a framework that can be pulled together out of the conservatives of the Republican Party and the Tea Party movement. That is what I understand Beck to be advocating, something in the realm of the possible. Now is the time for questions and seeking of answers.

posted by: Ronald Corbett
Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 03:57 PM