Glenn Beck’s “Broke” Part 1: The Crime of the Century

Even though I’m only about half way through Glenn Beck’s new best-seller “Broke,” I can whole-heartily recommend it to my fellow citizens as a great read. The first half is well researched and packed with good information.

Beck writes that as a nation we’re fighting against the laws of economics right now, “and it’s a war that can’t be won.” The sheer magnitude of the debt amassed by our local, state, and federal government boggles the mind. While Americans slept, our political class and the taxeaters – in Beck’s words – “spent like a drunken FDR.”

What America is facing is not new to history, as Beck chronicles. Other nations fell due to similar irresponsibility and lack of courageous leaders. As Mark Steyn noted in his must-read “America Alone,” fiscal policy impacts the character of a country’s people. In 1840 Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that people soften and bend when government seeks to take care of more of their needs.

The question for us now, Beck writes, is how will we respond? Will we be “a flock of timid animals”? “The only way out is if,” Beck says, “citizen by citizen, the public learns the lessons of history and convinces others that we are not immune from the laws of economics.”

Beck’s book should help even more Americans find the motivation to get off of the couch and get involved in the work of self government. Beck quotes John Adams:

But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American War? The Revolution was affected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the hearts and minds of the people.

It’s the same today – only the battle fortunately involves votes not bullets. Early in 2009 the tea party and 9/12 patriot groups arose as Americans finally woke up to the seriousness of the mess being made by their elected representatives.

Their first battle was the 2010 election cycle, and for the most part, it was a success. Many, many more huge battles are ahead. Some are just right around the corner as consolidated elections (school boards, municipalities, etc.) will be held early next year.

And don’t think for a second that the local tax eaters won’t put up a ferocious fight to defend their booty. Beck does touch on state and local government excesses in “Broke,” but spends most of his time on what he calls “The Crime of the Century.”

As one of the many people who DVR Glenn Beck’s Fox News show for later viewing, I typically only wind up watching one or two a week. I also have to admit that when he starts talking about storing food he loses me. That said, I think Beck is doing a service to the nation much like Rush Limbaugh has for the past twenty years.

Glenn Beck is reminding the older generations about what the country’s founding was all about. He’s also teaching middle aged and younger Americans things they were never taught in school. His bold talk about faith and values and his uncompromising presentation of fiscal facts are invaluable.

Up next: Incremental change will not be adequate.