Review of Glenn Beck's new book

[SallyLightfoot]

Beck's new book gets <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R2TQOV2Z0F32X2/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm" target="_new">smacked-silly</a> by an Amazon reviewer. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R2TQOV2Z0F32X2/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm" target="_new">Excerpt</a>:<blockquote>
"Beck uses this book to openly criticize progressive taxation, public education, social security, and "the progressive agenda." But readers should know something - Thomas Paine was one of the earliest advocates of progressive taxation, even drawing up tables and rates.

He was also the first proponent of the estate tax. And in Agrarian Justice he proposed a democratic ideal to combat poverty and income inequality by taxing the wealthy to give jobs and "grants" to young people. He also proposed using this system to provide government-sponsored pensions for the elderly. Historians cite Paine's Agrarian Justice as the earliest call for a national old-age pension - ie. Social Security. He wanted to tax the rich and give money to the poor.

He joined Thomas Jefferson in strongly advocating universal tax-supported public education, believing it was necessary to promote an educated electorate and was a necessary way to combat poverty. Paine also sought a federally guaranteed minimum wage, and long before Woodrow Wilson, Paine urged the establishment of, and US participation in, global organizations to help solve international problems and avoid wars.

[b]Yet, this is all lost on Glenn Beck[/b]... He is a hack... Beck says Americans do not know their history, but he is one of them, and with this book he is counting on their ignorance."
</blockquote>

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Sounds like T. Paine was an assclown.

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Sounds like T. Paine was an assclown.
[/quote][:D] Right, the founders of this country can't hold a candle to Glenn Beck or the right-wing/libtard posters on NNNW.

[i_like_lectric_motors]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Sounds like T. Paine was an assclown.
[/quote][:D] Right, the founders of this country can't hold a candle to Glenn Beck or the right-wing/libtard posters on NNNW.
[/quote]

Well, I don't care about Glenn Beck ... never watched? listened to? (what does he do anyway?) him but one thing we can at least be sure of is that if I founded a country it would have none of the problems this soon to be third world cesspool faces.

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]
<br>Sounds like T. Paine was an assclown.
[/quote][:D] Right, the founders of this country can't hold a candle to Glenn Beck or the right-wing/libtard posters on NNNW.
[/quote]

Well, I don't care about Glenn Beck ... never watched? listened to? (what does he do anyway?) him but one thing we can at least be sure of is that if I founded a country it would have none of the problems this soon to be third world cesspool faces.
[/quote]


Hmmmm...President Motors...Tsar Motors...no, Emperor Motors. One thing is for sure, those unworthy of receiving would not be receiving: and that's how it should be.

[SallyLightfoot]

I doubt motor's country would last even a decade, let alone 220+ years, but it would probably be a lot of fun for the privileged few.
<img src="http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/world/images/goodkng2.jpg" ALT="It's good to be motors!" height="204" width="272">

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]

<br>...but it would probably be a lot of fun for the privileged few.

[/quote]


...and the down side to that is?

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]<br>...but it would probably be a lot of fun for the privileged few.[/quote]...and the down side to that is?[/quote] No downside if you're among the fraction of society that is part of the ruling elite. Lots of downside if you're not. That's likely the way things would go without a strong central government & policies to reign in the power of the elite (and redistribute to the other classes). The majority of citizens would have about as much freedom as oxen fit to the plow.

[KYYX4ever]

Well anyway, it is true that Beck is a hack.

[zill]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>No downside if you're among the fraction of society that is part of the ruling elite. Lots of downside if you're not. That's likely the way things would go without a strong central government & policies to reign in the power of the elite (and redistribute to the other classes). The majority of citizens would have about as much freedom as oxen fit to the plow.
[/quote]

Any chance of turning this thread into another wank-fest?

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>Well anyway, it is true that Beck is a hack.[/quote] Yeah, he's like the mayor of krazy-town. Sometimes I'll watch a few minutes to see if he's going to have one of his classic schizoid meltdowns.

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by zill[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>No downside if you're among the fraction of society that is part of the ruling elite. Lots of downside if you're not. That's likely the way things would go without a strong central government & policies to reign in the power of the elite (and redistribute to the other classes). The majority of citizens would have about as much freedom as oxen fit to the plow.
[/quote]Any chance of turning this thread into another wank-fest?[/quote]Not looking good. Consensus seems to be that Beck is a hack. Wank-fest averted for now.

[KYYX4ever]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>Well anyway, it is true that Beck is a hack.[/quote] Yeah, he's like the mayor of krazy-town. Sometimes I'll watch a few minutes to see if he's going to have one of his classic schizoid meltdowns.
[/quote]

Get off my PHONE !!!!!

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]<br>...but it would probably be a lot of fun for the privileged few.[/quote]...and the down side to that is?[/quote] No downside if you're among the fraction of society that is part of the ruling elite. Lots of downside if you're not. That's likely the way things would go without a strong central government & policies to reign in the power of the elite (and redistribute to the other classes). The majority of citizens would have about as much freedom as oxen fit to the plow.
[/quote]


Ahhh...the good old days. Oh, and duh, thanks for splainin' that to me.

Take any one of those stiffs (non-ruling elite to you), stick them in the ruling elite with full privileges, and see how long it takes for them to shit on those who were once considered peers.

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by SallyLightfoot[/i]<br>...but it would probably be a lot of fun for the privileged few.[/quote]...and the down side to that is?[/quote] No downside if you're among the fraction of society that is part of the ruling elite. Lots of downside if you're not. That's likely the way things would go without a strong central government & policies to reign in the power of the elite (and redistribute to the other classes). The majority of citizens would have about as much freedom as oxen fit to the plow.[/quote]Take any one of those stiffs (non-ruling elite to you), stick them in the ruling elite with full privileges, and see how long it takes for them to shit on those who were once considered peers.[/quote] I agree-- this is basic human nature. It doesn't matter who's at the top of the food chain, power corrupts. That's why it's so important to have a nation based on laws, not men. I'd say the founders did a good job in this regard, because they didn't trust human nature.

Poverty is self-perpetuating, and so is power/wealth (it is far easier to amass wealth once you have wealth; you're also far more likely to remain poor if you were born into poverty). The natural tendency for those who have power is to leverage it as best they can to gain more power, normally at the expense of others. It doesn't matter if it's a capitalist or socialist/communist system.

This is why progressive taxation is a cornerstone of nearly all modern countries. It's not because the govt wants to soak wealthy people in exchange for populist votes. Progressive taxation has been the norm since the beginning of modern civilization because it curbs the ability of the wealthy to consolidate power, to dominate & corrupt the govt and to undermine the egalitarian system.