What if Glenn Beck was President?

[WadeFulp]

A lot of people love him, a lot of people really hate him. He is Glenn Beck! For those who hate him, is he dangerous? Does he scare you?

I had a thought tonight, what if Glenn Beck was President of the USA and Bill O'Reilly was his VP. Maybe Huckabee and some other conservatives from Fox News were in his administration, etc. Let's say the Republicans control the house and senate and Glenn can do whatever he wants.

So what do you think he would do? If you hate him, what would you be most afraid of him doing while in control? How would this directly effect your way of life?

[Prinzy2]

It would probably be the apocalypse.

He'd probably invade Iran and North Korea, which might result in North Korea using nuclear weapons causing almost every country to intervene. It would be even worse if the superpowers divided themselves like they did in the Korean War.

If you're one of the people who think that the world is controlled by the wealthy few, then either nothing would change and the wealthy get wealthier or Glenn Beck exposes them and gets a bullet in the chest.

[WadeFulp]

I forgot to throw Sean Hannity into the mix, so toss him in there too. :)

[Light]

Wow....I can't imagine that in my mind, even as I'm a supporter of the Republican Party. But from what I've heard of Glenn Beck, he'd make a WAAAAAY better President than Obama. Well, anyone really. But in any case,Sean Hannity would be a good economic adviser...

I wonder where Rush Limbaugh would be placed in this hypothetical administration. You have any ideas Wade?

[Light]

Sorry to double post, but Keith Olbermann would have a fucking heart attack, and Fox News would keep orgasming all over the place...Lol.

The liberal media would try and make a Sarah Palin out of those guys in the administration.

[orangebomb]

If Glenn Beck was president, that would be America's dark age, which would be something like a police state and liberties and civil rights will be thrown out, replaced by a religous fascist order spinning a web of lies and alienating us from the rest of the world.

I suppose Jesse Helms, Pat Robertson and the Mormons would love to be on Beck's campaign rally for sure.

[MattZone]

Goodbye ObamaCare. Also, goodbye Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. And the Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Arts...

Basically, he'd flush away all the crap that has accumulated over the decades, and we'd all be better off for it. Although once he's finished with his domestic agenda, I'd give good odds that someone, somewhere, is going to get their ass handed to them for speaking badly about America in a language other than English. Whether or not this would be a good thing depends on your POV.

As for myself, I'd get out the popcorn. It would be a helluva show.

[Light]

At 8/29/10 09:30 PM, orangebomb wrote: If Glenn Beck was president, that would be America's dark age, which would be something like a police state and liberties and civil rights will be thrown out, replaced by a religous fascist order spinning a web of lies and alienating us from the rest of the world.

And yet, historically, it has been leftist governments around the world that have employed a statist attitude of complete dominance and forced submission of the people to the government.

[Warforger]

Tensions would rise between Liberals and people who like Fox news, the economy would be ruined of course, we'd be in two wars one with North Korea and one with Iran, OPEC would embargo the US due to its wars, in healthcare he will try his best to get rid of all "Socialism" in it yet go and ban Abortion etc.

All in all, he'd make Bush and Obama look like the best presidents ever.

[Warforger]

At 8/29/10 09:33 PM, Jedi-Master wrote:

At 8/29/10 09:30 PM, orangebomb wrote: If Glenn Beck was president, that would be America's dark age, which would be something like a police state and liberties and civil rights will be thrown out, replaced by a religous fascist order spinning a web of lies and alienating us from the rest of the world.

And yet, historically, it has been leftist governments around the world that have employed a statist attitude of complete dominance and forced submission of the people to the government.

Whether your totalitarian or anarchist is not Leftist or Rightist, it is its own. Its even speculated Hitler the most famous oppressor was Far Right because he gave control of the economy to private Capitalists with strong ties to the Nazi party, Socialism would imply freedom.

[CZX1194]

I'd assassinate him myself

[Light]

At 8/29/10 09:38 PM, Warforger wrote:

At 8/29/10 09:33 PM, Jedi-Master wrote:

At 8/29/10 09:30 PM, orangebomb wrote: If Glenn Beck was president, that would be America's dark age, which would be something like a police state and liberties and civil rights will be thrown out, replaced by a religous fascist order spinning a web of lies and alienating us from the rest of the world.

And yet, historically, it has been leftist governments around the world that have employed a statist attitude of complete dominance and forced submission of the people to the government.

Whether your totalitarian or anarchist is not Leftist or Rightist, it is its own. Its even speculated Hitler the most famous oppressor was Far Right because he gave control of the economy to private Capitalists with strong ties to the Nazi party, Socialism would imply freedom.

I've known for a long time that Hitler was a Right-winger. That guy hated communism with a passion. That being said, I'm just trying to make the point that totalitarian regimes now and in the past have historically been known to be Far Left more often than Far Right. However, a leftist government doesn't make it Totalitarian in the least bit. There are many Socialist Democracies in Europe, and they are democratically elected governments with many freedoms protected there.

[gumOnShoe]

Wade, my problem with Beck is that he seems to me to be very self centered, motivated by attention, given to flights of panic, and very willing to get what he wants by manipulating people's emotions.

For instance, if you look at his show, he's constantly talking about how liberals are scary people, that are going to tell you what to do, how to live and take away your freedoms. Then, in the next breath, he'll tell you how to avoid it, what to do with your life, and how to pray to your god. I don't want to say that he reminds me of Hitler because he doesn't on the extreme levels (and because he often uses Hitler as the guy to compare other people to), but he does have that same capability to use people's fears to move them about.

He never says anything overtly racist, but he'll imply the other guy is. He uses all those things you're worried about, sometimes legitimately and blows them up. I believe most of this is sensationalism aimed at selling books and getting ratings, but I think he's a big enough megalomaniac to claim that God is inspiring him and sending him messages.

I don't think he really respects the constitutions or all of the country's diverse population. He's big on his religion, and I can respect that, but I never get the feeling he could respect me as a person, and so I don't want him running this country and making decisions that could affect my life.

I have no problem with a lot of conservative ideas. I like the sound of a fiscally conservative government, one that only collects the taxes it needs to drive innovation. I believe the best government is the one that enables people to do their best rather than get in the way. I do believe a government should be able to protect its people, and do it well. These are all great conservative ideologies, but they aren't principles that are strongly held by the likes of Fox news.

I do not embrace social conservatism. I don't believe a political party should be trumping god as the reason for passing laws because of the constitution and diversity of our population. You wouldn't want a Jew to argue for banning bacon cheeseburgers because they aren't Kosher. I also don't like the idea that we should be spreading democracy. If countries request our help, I'm cool with that, then we have a partner, but not invading people to make their lives better.

I Beck were president, I seriously consider leaving this country.

[gumOnShoe]

At 8/29/10 09:47 PM, Jedi-Master wrote: I've known for a long time that Hitler was a Right-winger. That guy hated communism with a passion. That being said, I'm just trying to make the point that totalitarian regimes now and in the past have historically been known to be Far Left more often than Far Right. However, a leftist government doesn't make it Totalitarian in the least bit. There are many Socialist Democracies in Europe, and they are democratically elected governments with many freedoms protected there.

North Korea is arguably far right at this point. Its not communistic at all. China, even, is far right at this point since it's largely run by corporate interests. You might argue that leftist revolutions are often high-jacked by right wing totalitarians.

[Proteas]

At 8/29/10 08:18 PM, WadeFulp wrote: I had a thought tonight, what if Glenn Beck was President of the USA and Bill O'Reilly was his VP.

I would laugh my ass off as people in the politics forum lost their minds the same way they did when Bush was re-elected.

[HooglyBoogly]

At 8/29/10 09:58 PM, gumOnShoe wrote: North Korea is arguably far right at this point. Its not communistic at all. China, even, is far right at this point since it's largely run by corporate interests. You might argue that leftist revolutions are often high-jacked by right wing totalitarians.

How do you think that? North Korea is the most Communist country on this planet. There isn't a single form of production or agriculture that isn't planned and operated by the state. NOTHING.

You can easily infer that about China. Although they call themselves Communist for some reason or another, they clearly aren't. That is easily observed considering the huge amounts of corporations and free-market economy that is beginning to arise.

[Light]

At 8/29/10 09:58 PM, gumOnShoe wrote:

At 8/29/10 09:47 PM, Jedi-Master wrote: I've known for a long time that Hitler was a Right-winger. That guy hated communism with a passion. That being said, I'm just trying to make the point that totalitarian regimes now and in the past have historically been known to be Far Left more often than Far Right. However, a leftist government doesn't make it Totalitarian in the least bit. There are many Socialist Democracies in Europe, and they are democratically elected governments with many freedoms protected there.

North Korea is arguably far right at this point. Its not communistic at all. China, even, is far right at this point since it's largely run by corporate interests. You might argue that leftist revolutions are often high-jacked by right wing totalitarians.

What gave you that idea? North Korea is the epitome of communist states. Their leader is indeed a communist, and nothing about that country is capitalistic at all. I really don't know where you're getting your information gOS.

[Camarohusky]

My biggest worry if an ultra-conservative (new conservative, not old-fashioned) government took power would be large setbacks to religious and social freedoms. The new conservative stress upon promoting a flat out Christian agenda and using this agenda to limit many personal freedoms scares me. If the country became too hawkish I would be worried also. Heck the two skirmishes in Iraq and Afghanistan have streched our military and its buidget to its acceptable limits. If the hawks get their way we may strech our military to the point of making it impotent, not to mention the massive costs.

I'm not worried about their economic agendas. Economic freedom does have its merits. The drawbacks of it are about equal to the drawbacks of our current middle of the road system.

[orangebomb]

At 8/29/10 09:58 PM, gumOnShoe wrote: North Korea is arguably far right at this point. Its not communistic at all.

I don't know if North Korea would be considered far right, especially when NK is the posterboy of "Communism", what with mass starvations, state controlled media and businesses, and having a very select group that controls everything within their borders, and yet, they still call themselves the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

If NK was considered far right, why don't we simply dump Glenn Beck there, I'm sure he'll make a lot of friends there. *sarcasm*

[Gustavos]

Glenn Beck wouldn't be the worst president out of today's politicians and political commentators. I assure you. Though if we're dreaming about who we'd like as our president, I'd be the first to vote for Stephen Colbert.

In all seriousness, he's really not a bad guy. After seeing his Restoring Honor Speech. I wasn't there in person, but I did find where I can watch the whole thing online. He would probably be regarded as "The Average Joe President". That's the vibe I got from him. If we had him as president any time during a Recession, he'd probably make it worse by not knowing what to do. But he supports true virtues. He may not be a problem solver, but he's got a lot to say about how the average american should act. And some of it isn't TOTAL bullshit.

[WeHaveFreshCookies]

God, I can't even imagine that guy running a country. It would be a disaster.

[aviewaskewed]

I would have to consider leaving the country...not really because of Beck himself as much as the fact that a majority of the country would be stupid enough to elect an attention seeking political commentator who's paid to be an ultra-right winger by an ultra right wing network (I seem to remember some flap about Bill O'Reilly once and how true to the principals he espouses he is), into political office. Frankly I trust none of the political commentators to be honest, but Fox news certainly not since they have college educated people pretend they barely have a high school education so they can be "the average man's voice".

We start electing political commentators I think it's time to pack in the tent.

[Bluesalinas]

At 8/29/10 08:18 PM, WadeFulp wrote: A lot of people love him, a lot of people really hate him. He is Glenn Beck! For those who hate him, is he dangerous? Does he scare you?

I had a thought tonight, what if Glenn Beck was President of the USA and Bill O'Reilly was his VP. Maybe Huckabee and some other conservatives from Fox News were in his administration, etc. Let's say the Republicans control the house and senate and Glenn can do whatever he wants.

I thought you were pitching around a new idea for a reality show or something, but not only would it be not taken seriously by the American people or European nation, it would also be dangerous for them seeing how they can't seem to shut their pie holes about anything.

[gumOnShoe]

At 8/29/10 10:21 PM, HooglyBoogly wrote: How do you think that? North Korea is the most Communist country on this planet. There isn't a single form of production or agriculture that isn't planned and operated by the state. NOTHING.

That is neither communism or socialism. Communism is about putting the ownership in the worker's hands, but they have a dictator. Socialism is similar, but is strongly egalitarian (everyone would have to be equal). What you have in North Korea is a very small class of people that reaps all of the benefits and brainwashes everyone else into working. It isn't communism or socialism, its totalitarianism.

You can easily infer that about China. Although they call themselves Communist for some reason or another, they clearly aren't. That is easily observed considering the huge amounts of corporations and free-market economy that is beginning to arise.

This is true, but it would have been hard to call them communists before the introduction of the free-market. A lack of free market doesn't make you a communist or socialist. It was the same idea, one party, one ruling class =/= socialism or communism. The ideals of both those ideas are too hard to achieve with our current level of technology, resource scarcity, etc.

[Sajberhippien]

At 8/29/10 09:47 PM, Jedi-Master wrote: I'm just trying to make the point that totalitarian regimes now and in the past have historically been known to be Far Left more often than Far Right.

That must be among the most retarded thing I've ever heard.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4

Or any other regime older than 200 years, more or less.

[The-universe]

Not being an American, the only reaction I could give to seeing Glen Beck as president is;

Laugh my ass off every time I see them on the news.

[zephiran]

I'd probably laugh really hard at how right I was as a teenager regarding the intelligence of the Amrican populus. Then I'd commit suicide out of sheer joy.

[Ericho]

He would probably be even worse than George W. Bush of course. It is hard to believe he could get a lot of damage done because so many people in the Senate would vote against him. Of course, if we assume that the people in the Senate support him, then we're dead meat. I have not been keeping up much with this guy because he is quite frankly an idiot and I do not even care what he thinks anymore. I might leave the country, who knows?

[mayeram]

Can anyone say theocracy? The only thing that might keep this from happening would be that they would have a great deal of difficulty agreeing on what type of theocracy it should be. Since these people are more hostile than a bull on fire, they would have difficulty agreeing on even small differences of opinion.

[SmilezRoyale]

Honestly, Wade, I don't think Beck would be a good partner with O'Reily

Are you asking what would happen if suddenly Beck Became the president, or what would happen if Beck had the power to control the political system in accordance with his own subjective preferences? Because there is an OCEAN of difference between the two.

A good way to imagine the difference is to imagine, on one hand, if Ron Paul [who i am in no way comparing to beck in terms of policy] was nominated as the republican candidate for president in 2012, and against all institutional odds, paul manages to win. Would he be able merely with the office of the presidency, to change the Government to a more tolerant and libertarian form? Probably not. He still has to contend with a Statist congress of statist republicans and statist democrats. It would require a massive if not revolutionary shift and turnover of congressman in order to uproot the system that presently exists.

This is not the same as saying, how would America be different if Ron Paul had a magic wand that gave him the power to change the government at will.

________________________-

If Beck became president in the aforementioned FORMER manner, virtually nothing would 'change' and the best case scenario would be a grid-lock in government.

TBQH there is no way of being able to know with any degree of certainty what would happen because beck is so dodgy in his views. He's not like Ron Paul in that you can look at the things that he's said for the last three decades and see that his views have remained relatively consistent, and those views he has changed he openly admits to having changed his mind rather than remain nebulous about it. E.G. death penalty.

and anyone who pretends to know what would happen is arguing out of emotions of either enamor or Contempt. How many of you think you would be able to predict what has happened this last year back in 2008 given all of the president's promises?