Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government

495 Pages·2009·9.87 MB·English

by  Glenn Beck

ALSO BY THE AUTHOR:
The Real America
An Inconvenient Book
The Christmas Sweater
America’s March to Socialism (audiobook)
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense
The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book
ARGUING WITH
IDIOTS
How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government
WRITTEN & EDITED BY
Glenn Beck Kevin Balfe
WRITERS
Steve “Stu” Burguiere Dan Andros
Brian Sack Alan Gura Pat Gray
David Harsanyi Carol Lynne Carl Williott
CONTRIBUTORS
Claire Calzonetti Evan Cutler Joseph Kerry
Kelly Thompson R. J. Pestritto Tyler Grimm
Darran Foster John Bobey Paul Starke
ILLUSTRATIONS
Paul E. Nunn
To my nephew, along with everyone else who has been watching
our back in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We won’t let
you down—we’re watching your back here at home.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SPECIAL THANKS TO . . .
All of the VIEWERS, LISTENERS AND READERS, including the Glenn
Beck INSIDERS. It goes without saying, but you make it all possible. Together
we are getting the message out. My wife, TANIA, and all my CHILDREN
for your endless support. CHRIS BALFE, KEVIN BALFE, STU
BURGUIERE, ADAM CLARKE, JOE KERRY, and the rest of my
extraordinary team at MERCURY RADIO ARTS for helping to turn my
dreams into reality. CAROLYN REIDY, LOUISE BURKE, MITCHELL
IVERS, LIZ PERL, ANTHONY ZICCARDI, EMILY BESTLER, MARA
ANASTAS, EMILY LAWRENCE, TOM SPAIN, and everyone else at
SIMON & SCHUSTER for putting up with me and for working so hard to
make these projects right. All of my friends at FOX NEWS, including
ROGER AILES, BILL SHINE, SUZANNE SCOTT, JOEL
CHEATWOOD, BILL O’REILLY, NEIL CAVUTO, along with my tireless
STAFF that works so hard every day to get our show on the air. Everyone that
makes being in radio a daily dream come true, including MARK MAYS, JOHN
HOGAN, CHARLIE RAHILLY, DAN YUKELSON, JULIE TALBOTT,
DAN METTER, KRAIG KITCHIN, BRIAN GLICKLICH AND DOM
THEODORE. My agent, GEORGE HILTZIK, for keeping me employed,
and his wife, LINDA, for making sure that George keeps working. All of my
friends, partners, and coworkers who touch my personal or professional life
nearly every day, including MATTHEW HILTZIK, JOSH RAFFEL, JON
HUNTSMAN, PAT GRAY, DUANE WARD, STEVE SCHEFFER,
GEORGE LANGE, STEPHEN MOORE, M. RUSSELL BALLARD, along
with ALLEN, CAM, AMY, MARY, and the whole team at ISDANER.
Those who helped bring this book to life, including our amazing artist, PAUL
NUNN, our incredible designer, TIMOTHY SHANER, and those at the
CONSTITUTIONAL SOURCES PROJECT, including HUGH CHERRY
and ELEESHA TUCKER, for their insights and advice. CITY BAKERY
(1898–2006) for making me understand at a very early age that hard work is the
one ingredient you can’t buy in a store. EVERYONE ELSE whom I couldn’t
fit in this space . . . sorry, but brevity was never really my strong suit.
CONTENTS
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
1. IN DEFENSE OF CAPITALISM
Giving the Free Market a Fair Shake
2. THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Ammunition to Defend Your Rights
3. EDUCATION
Readin’, Writin’, and Futility
4. AMERICA'S ENERGY FUTURE
Cars, Corn, Carbon, and Controversy
5. UNIONS
When Is America Finished Paying Her Dues?
6. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
The Chapter Americans Just Won’t Write
7. THE NANNY STATE
Saving You from Yourself, One Right at a Time
8. OWNING A HOME
Waking Up from the American Dream
9. ECONOMICS
Smaller Government, Bigger Wallet
10. U.S. PRESIDENTS
A Steady Progression of Progressives
11. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Why a Paper Cut May Soon Be Fatal
12. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Lost in Translation
CITATIONS
Just the Facts, Man