Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine Reviews
Thomas Paine, the author of the original “Common Sense” stands head and shoulders above Glenn Beck. This is not to slight Beck, but rather to elevate Thomas Paine to his rightful place in America’s history.
Thomas Paine was not only a patriot but he was also a theologian. He had the distinct advantage of being much more familiar with God and the Bible than Glenn Beck. Beck would do well to become more acquainted with the personal and religious beliefs of most of our founding fathers because only then will he fully appreciate the founding principles upon which America was built.
Glenn Beck’s version of “common sense” is still well worth the price of the book. Beck’s comments on the state of America demonstrate an astute understanding about where America has gone wrong starting with the Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. His assertion that Democrats and Republicans have moved away from the principles that made America great is absolutely correct. Beck’s opinion that America needs another “revolution” is right on. Whether or not it could be achieved non-violently, as Beck suggests is debatable. The two party monopoly that we have today will be very difficult to defeat.
Beck’s comments that it isn’t about Democrats and Republicans anymore are right on the mark. If America is to regain its former greatness it will require that Americans take back America from the government. We now have a government that believes that government is the answer, not the problem. The truth is, that government has gotten completely too big and that it is the problem. Capitalism is being replaced with socialism before our very eyes.
Keep up the good work, Glenn… You’re on the right track. Let’s pray it’s not too late.
Originally, I started making notes of Beck’s unsubstantiated claims, but ended making notes on most of the book so scrapped that idea. Beck started one chapter with “Politicians, like cockroaches, are not stupid creatures. Both have an uncanny ability to survive, consume all things living or dead, and can apparently live up to one month without their head — though I would argue that politicians can survive much longer than that.” Common Sense? That’s just stupid. This book is nothing but a diatribe. What does a politician living longer than a cockroach without a head have anything to do with Common Sense? Another diatribe — “These people [congress] could not be more out of step with the Founders if they tried, and poll after poll shows that Americans despise them for it.” (Pages would be noted but the book was read on the Kindle which doesn’t pagenate.) “Poll after poll shows that Americans despise them for it.” Where does this come from? Notate it. Prove it. With notes I might be able to call it other than a diatribe but for the life of me, I have no idea where he’s getting this stuff. At it’s best it is a diatribe — much like his FoxNews program. Read it for its entertainment value but only for entertainment, not anything of value.
Beck uses Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in his title and quotes both Paine and Thomas Jefferson. These two would be rolling over in their graves if they knew Beck was quoting them to make his cases.
This quick read provides an excellent perspective on the state of our country. Not holding punches against any one party, Glenn lays out the why it is that we have been feeling that something just isn’t right with how our government treats us. If you are looking for a no holds barred look at both the Republicans and Democrats (neither is innocent) then check this book out, you may be surprised how independent Glenn is. Also, having Thomas Paine’s pamphlet included was a nice bonus.
In reading the criticisms posted please be aware of the following:
1. This book analyzes both political parties, and does not bash any one party.
2. Anyone that has listened to Glenn Beck knows that he was railing against George Bush and the republicans when they were in power for the very reasons that he states in this book.
3. Arguments are well thought, and provide direct quotes or reference source documentation.
Kind of makes you wonder if some reviewers have even read it, huh?
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