Jon Stewart ‘proves’ Glenn Beck is a commie

By David Edwards
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 -- 12:24 pm
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Beck loves socialist librariesWhat's that saying about glass houses?

It turns out that a popular Fox News host may owe his career to the very socialist policies that he is paid to condemn (not that this should be any kind of news flash).

Fox's Glenn Beck took the stage at CPAC Saturday where he railed against socialism and progressivism. On Monday, Jon Stewart "uncovered" the truth: Beck educated himself at public libraries paid for with socialist taxes.

Beck had treated the CPAC audience to an explanation of all of America's troubles. "It's not just spending. It's not just taxes. It's not just corruption. It is progressivism," said Beck.

Standing in front of his signature chalkboard, Beck clarified why progressivism is so insidious. "The argument was, 'Well, you're a Marxist, you're a communist. No, I'm not. I'm a progressive,'" revealed Beck.

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"What is the difference? Revolution or evolution? That's the difference," said Beck. "Well, they are no different except one requires a gun and the other does it slowly piece by piece."

Stewart interrupted the clip of Beck to ask, "So progressives are slow, unarmed communists?"

"You got his point," asserted Stewart. "This idea that you can tax the people to pay for things that the government elected by the people think is for the common good. That's the road to ruins. That's progressivism."

"How did Glenn Beck learn that all this was bad?" asked the Comedy Central host.

In the very same speech, Beck shed some light on his success. "I educated myself. I went to the library and books are free."

Stewart lowered his head in disbelief. "Glenn, Glenn, Glenn the library isn't free. It's paid for with tax money. Free public libraries are the result of the progressive movement to communally share books," he said.

"Community owned! That sounds like communist! You are a communist!" exclaimed an exasperated Stewart.

This video is from Comedy Central's The Daily Show, broadcast Feb. 22, 2010.

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Story comments are below...

  • Robert Johnson
    Of course, the same argument could be made against any educated dissident of the Soviet system.... Just because someone did something positive with a set of circumstances doesn't mean you must credit the circumstances, nor does it mean that the result was not possible under other circumstances.

    Besides, local libraries are that, local libraries. There is more choice you have as an individual in what communities and systems you join on that level, as opposed to what you have under a central government, which is presumably the level Beck addresses.
  • Joyce Mary
    Libraries existed even before the progressive movement actually.
  • passacaglia
    Democrats! Keep America for the People! (This is my new mantra!) There are those who want it and want to take it away from you and will take it away from you if you are not conscious and vigil! What Jon Stewart may not understand is BeckLogic because it doesn't operate the way normal logic that is consistent with truth premises at work. Once one understands BeckLogic, better counterarguments can be offered to show his inadequacies and utter underlying self-serving demagoguery. Which is what all the CPACers demonstrated. BeckLogic is the given the highest priority in Conservative Play Book of how to four-flush the disillusioned public into cheerleading the Conservative agenda..
  • matticusfinch
    ROFL!!
  • John
    Wow... John Stuart is a moron!

    Beck said in that speech SOME spending is necessary! Excessive spending is bad.
  • Sick of you and your crowd
    Define excessive...define who is worthwhile to spend on?
    Military, right?
    It worked so well in Germany in the 30's and 40's, I am sure it will work well here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • miller415
    As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Library system in my city, I wish Glenn Beck used the "free public school system" to educate himself with the professional and experienced educators provided than to self teaching himself that the world is flat and the Flintstones is a documentary.

    Right now we are having so much fun on how we are going to spend all the money that grows from the money trees outside the building.
  • dennycrane
    Pretty soon the mormon church will be replacing the prophet moroni on their temples with beck. Know anyone better at blowing their own horn than this little shit.
  • kvilletom
    Did anyone else notice that Beck crossed the 'l" in evolution? Classic, wonder if he crossed that letter in library too.
  • libertate
    Beck is a neocon, so calling him a communist isn't that far off.
  • bordway
    It's disappointing to think that a mere comedian can so easily pick apart the rant of a lunatic, while some seemingly intelligent people gobble it up like gospel. It's this kind of insight that's missing in the vast majority of our elected officials these days, and those that show it are chastised for doing so.
  • PNUT1
    Religion makes people dumb.
  • Terrible
    He probably lost half his viewers when he confessed to being able to read.
  • hc21
    He also crossed both the "T" and the "L" when he wrote "Evolution" on the chalkboard....
  • doctk
    I guess I'm living in a never ending Monty Python sketch:

    First they came after "the Liberals". And even though I was a liberal, I did not speak up. Because, well, they were babbling idiots and bad ex-Hollywood "B" actors. Then, the name was changed to Progressive. And I did not speak up because, well, why were we trying to appease a bunch of silly goons and B Actors anyway? Now, they come after "progressives" and "progressivism". And I will not speak up. Because, well, this is just silly, isn't it?
  • Aroundtuit
    It is as if there is a grand plan to nullify the input of socialists, democrats, leftists, liberals, progressives and even scientists. As if there are autocrats directing. Of course that is a preposterous proposition - that people like Rupert Murdoch, George Bush, John Howard, Tony Blair could be pulling our strings.
  • markusgarvey
    see!...Beck is what you get when you get all your knowledge from coloring books...
  • Lander
    So libraries are paid by taxes. Well most taxes go to Medicaid and Welfare. Dumb comedian and his drones.

    Take back America!!!!

    Taxed
    Enough
    Already
  • Non Affiliate
    Um, hate to put it to you, but "Welfare" covers [but is not limited to]
    Social Security
    Medicaid
    Pell Grants
    Free Lunch progams
    Reduced Lunch programs
    Medicare
    Medicaid
    Farmer Subsidies
    "Corporate Welfare"
    Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply
    Unemployment compensation
    [including but not limited to State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations]
    FDA regulations
    Disability
    Veteran's Affairs

    ...and a whole host of other things you may or may not be aware of....

    Social Security/Retirement
    Federal Intergovernmental Subsidies
    Housing and Community
    Payments to States for Child Support Enforcement and Family Support Programs
    Children's Research and Technical Assistance
    Social protections

    My Dear Lander [and others] - there is entirely too much that the common public has precisely no clue as to where their tax dollars go, or why.

    Perhaps if the general public were to question everything - and research everything - instead of memorizing sound bytes, this once-proud nation of ours might [just might] dig itself out of meaningless bickering and actively engage our leaders into focusing on responsibly repairing our damaged country...

    "Teabaggers"...sheesh...
  • Repubs are Unpatriotic
    Wow... ignorance is bliss.

    TEA = I don't understand anything. And, I am too stupid to care.
  • davidrvelasquez
    Wrong, ...most taxes go to the military and their corporate welfare supported arms makers.
    But I can understand your disdain for libraries, schools and other tax supported institutions of learning... no doubt the thought of people being smarter than you irks you no end.
  • bordway
    It always delights me when I see people saying that most taxes go to welfare. It proves the complete ignorance of people who share this view.

    As of September 2009, there were 4,076,764 total recipients receiving benefits from the TANF program. 987,835 were adults. There are 308 million people in the US, meaning three tenths of one percent are adults on welfare. This is a common misstatement by ignorant people who's eyes have turned brown from being full of shit.
  • jebbajabba
    TRANSLATION:
    I am angry that the majority of Americans have rejected my values by electing a black man president. It is so unfair that elections have consequences
  • PNUT1
    You should be called "The Hammer", you just hit the nail right on the head. They want "their" country back from the people they LOST THE ELECTION to. As if they have perpetual ruling rights here.
  • markusgarvey
    TEA...Translation:

    True
    Eichmann
    Adherent's
  • markusgarvey
    "Take back America"...you teabaggers want to take America back to the days when the White House was filled with white people...
  • tommy
    Jon Stewart is a comedian. Glenn Beck understands that we can't spend to get out of debt, in fact it will further us in debt!!
  • PNUT1
    Actually, most economists recommend exactly what President Obama did, when there is a recession the Government needs to pump money into the economy. The stimulus wasn't some Machiavellian attempt to take over the private sector and "ruin" the country like you nutters want to believe. Do you think that Beck knows more about economics than economists ?
  • roy_T
    Do a google search on Jon Stewart and you will find he is more qualified for politics than most people in congress. Glen Beck has brain damage from being an alcoholic.
  • jenna.hastings
    Beck thinks libraries and library books are "free".... LOL. The man is crackbrained. Or else he is a character in a Disney film. He certainly doesn't live in my city where they are debating what hours and/or staff they can cut now because there is a recession on and the city doesn't have enough TAX REVENUE to pay for the library and all its branches anymore.
  • Glenn is right, President Teddy Roosevelt (a REPUBLICAN) was a progressive - and a good one! "Not only did he call for women's suffrage and the direct election of senators, he demanded miniumum wage legislation, factory and minimum inspection standards, workmen's compensation laws, strengthening of the pure food law, social security insurance, business regulation, help for farmers, and conservation of natural resources" (The Three Roosevelts by James MacGregor Burns, page 132).
  • fiftysomething
    All things the republicans detest today.
  • Innocent Bystander
    Im pretty sure most conservatives have moved from presenting serious ideas to complete cannon fodder for comedians. Its like they want to be made fun of!
  • greg2009
    Conservatives don't need those socialist libraries! Libraries can allow the free exchange of ideas and house science books!

    Well, I doubt most conservatives read anway because they are too busy watching Fox News, the 700 Club, football or NASCAR, or listening to the likes of Rushbo the Clown. They have all their thinking done for them. That's why Beck's "logic" is sound to them.
  • FrustratedReader
    Kind of funny that all of the people that complain about Beck calling libraries 'free' are from the liberal left...most of which don't have a real job to speak of...especially not their own business. I would bet a lot work for the government, or are out getting some of that all precious "education" you seem to be so focused on. Well, news flash...if you DON'T pay taxes, the libraries ARE free. More of the socialist mumbo-jumbo that I am so sick of reading from people that have never had to meet a payroll...they're just waiting for the next big government "hand-out." Give me free insurance...that guy has too much money, give me some of his. Get a job, and be part of the solution. You ARE the problem with our country, and Beck sees that this was not always so...thus the whole "Founding Fathers" thing.
  • Friday
    I resemble that! I am a newshound (REAL NEWS not that faux kind) Love MY football team and occasionally watch NASCAR. I hate the hypocracy and christian love of the 700 club and refuse to lower myself to their level.....don't think Jesus would either but that is just my opinion. Hate to say I have found myself listening to and agreeing with Rushbo the Clown.....(I am a reformed repug....lean independent thinker who prefers MOST progressive principles but fall on back old family teachings).....and then feel I must do pentence for it. About a million hail Mary's MIGHT help.
  • Jaymz
    Congratulations! You are halfway out of the woods
  • MJ
    If you seriously consider that to be who conservatives are maybe you are going to live a frustrated life with one-sided arguments... The extreme sides of both parties should be laughed at, and I think you know that. Unless I am to believe you are a complete hippy who puts peace before his country's safety, doesn't want the military to exist, etc...

    Both parties have people who do a little too much talking for them. I have to admit though, if Franken, Sharpton, or Gore had a platform as big as FOX i too would be upset about it...
  • greg2009
    I always chuckle when conservatives wonder if I am a hippy.

    My comment was laregly tongue in cheek. I know plenty of liberals that love football. NASCAR - frankly, I get bored watching it, but to each his own. I prefer baseball myself. :-)

    Having said that, I do think a lot of conservatives are either woefully uninformed or willfully misinformed because it reinforces their own predjudes and world view. Looking at the decisions the Texas Board of Education makes regarding textbooks and the reasoning they use to make those decisions is one example of that. The fact that Sean Hannity wrote a book declaring "liberalism" evil is another example. I don't think he really knows the meaining of the word; or maybe he does but prefers to ignore the true meaning. Hannity, like Beck, is a modern-day McCarthyite.

    The journalistic standards evendent at FOX News are pretty laughable. Whenever I watch it, I have no doubt that I am just watching conservative propaganda. I am not the only person in America that has noticed this. I really don't think they can win an argument any more based on the arguments merits. They have to resort to disinformation, fear-mongering, character assassination, etc.
  • Progressivetype
    Franken, Sharpton and Gore? They're "progressives"? I think not....real progressives actually take actions that benefit people not multi-nationals...The above are largely politicians who talk, leaders take action...This not 2 party system, our government (AND all "mainstream" media) is being run by the same corporate controlled evil headed monster. My suggestion is to educate yourself to think outside the so called box...watch democracynow.org for starters. Peace
  • Repubs are Unpatriotic
    Gotta ask ... I have always wondered - what is your beef with Gore? What did he ever do TO you? For that matter - Clinton? Clinton AT LEAST set us on a path of budget surpluses... he even reformed Welfare to something akin to the Republican plan. Gore has done NOTHING to you - why the hate?

    On the other hand - largest increases in debt relative to GDP,occurred under George H.W. Bush (+11.2%), George W. Bush (+11.9%), and Ronald Reagan (+18.5%). These three represent 80% of total debt.

    YOUR share of the 3 presidents debt -mongering is approx $330,000. All other 41 Presidents borrowed about $80,000.

    I have a reason to HATE those three.

    And I am not even referring to the destruction done to things like education, employment base, wealth inequality... and all that hippie 'leftist' stuff.
  • NadePaulKuciGravMcKi
    Beck really hates those "overpaid" Librarians too.
    And that damn Internet Access...

    $50,000,000 FOX contract will buy a lot of disinformation with Glenn 'I Love Dick Cheney' Beck
  • grammarsnare
    CoffeeParty
  • eetrinko
    Wow, don't these guys have anything better to do with their time? I mean like really.

    Jerry
    www.complete-anonymity.cz.tc
  • brantl
    I bet he uses public roads and sewers, too (I suspect he's both living in the sewers and using them for their standard purpose as well).... once, twice, three times a commie..... Glenn Beck, I'm on to you.... (sung to the tune of "3 times a lady").
  • Democratic_Socialist
    Glenn Beck = Limp Balls wannabe.

    How does a fucking ENTERTAINER(?) get a voice in shit like this?! It would be nice to get a construction laborer in a similar situation and give HIM this kind of power to tell what it's really like "out there". Slanted country? Oh, yeah....
  • roy_T
    Jon Stewart for President!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Glen Beck for department of sanitation .
  • MJ
    Yeah, because Republicans are against ALL things public. Am I right?....
  • The Truth
    "The idea that you should tax people to pay for things that the government, elected by the people, think is for the common good..."

    Except that the income tax goes almost EXCLUSIVELY to paying the INTEREST on our national debt owed to our FEDERAL RESERVE LOAN SHARKS. So NONE of that money is spent on the common good. It simply goes into the pockets of bankers. Not all of it, mind you, since the Fed must put back a portion of its profits, but NONE of the income tax goes toward infrastructure, job creation, or even repaying the debt. It's just to cover for interest.
  • dotherightthing
    The Truth, you have completely missed the point here.........
  • JTK
    If none of those taxes go tward infrastructure, where did the infrastructure come from? Are roads and sewage treatment facilities in your state created by magic?

    Your inability to understand simple points like this makes you look quite foolish.
  • PNUT1
    You mean Baby Jebus and Gawd ain't built the bridge ,the park, OR that place where the science heathens gather ?
  • grammarsnare
    I was under the impression that gasoline tax pays for road and transit projects, and that property taxes pay for sewage treatment facilities.

    Your inability to understand simple points like this makes you look quite foolish.
  • Repubs are Unpatriotic
    Your impression is about 25% right ....

    Gas Taxes: Approximately half of combined state and federal gas taxes goes to funding transportation. (HORRORS!!! about 35% of that goes to mass transit, buses, light rail, etc.).

    Property Taxes: Depends on the states. But, nearly none of prop taxes go to infrastructure. Your example of sewer facilities are usually paid through special taxes or other assessment (assessment district, impact fees, etc.). A huge amount also comes from Federal Grants ... funded approximately 80% by personal income taxes.

    Yup - taxes are how we have roads and sewer ...

    No Taxes = Smelly smelly smell ...
  • brantl
    Then they wouldn't be paying for any programs, AT ALL. Have you always been this gullible?
  • Turnip
    Google Grace Commission, and even that was .guv biased.
    No monies from taxes collected from citizens goes to anything other that paying the interest on the imaginary debt owed to the mostly foreign owners of the illegal Fed Reserve.
  • Repubs are Unpatriotic
    Like all things Republican ... the disingenuous is fascinating. Peter Grace's Commission basically argued (in 1980!) that 33% goes to waste, 33% goes to the underground, and 33% to interest on the debt.

    How do YOU define waste? ... might as well say 66% goes to waste. It is even sexier ..
    And underground economy represents MISSING taxes not receipts.

    So, basically, Grace only said that 33% of taxes go to interest on debt. That would be wrong today as well ... because approximately 40% of personal taxes goes to debt... the other tax revenue (approximately $1.2 trillion in Other Taxes) are available to pay for stuff ...

    Details ... As always - Republican = Idiot
  • grammarsnare
    That's what the oil barons want you to think.
  • grammarsnare
    Income tax doesn't pay for any programs. The amount of revenue that the IRS generates each year, based on the taxation of personal income, fails to pay for anything in the Federal government budget aside from interest on the national debt. This has been the case since the income tax and the Federal Reserve came into existence.

    Have you always been this bad at reading comprehension?
  • Repubs are Unpatriotic
    Where are your facts? Just to give some points in tim:

    Personal Income Tax Receipt:
    2003: - $795 billion (Corporate BTW - $132b)
    2006 - $1.0 trillion (Corporate BTW - $227b)

    Interest Payments:

    In 2003: $318 billion
    In 2006: $406 billion.

    Someone is lying to you ... probably a Republican.
  • grammarsnare
    Citations?
  • Turnip
    You cannot combat 90 years of brainwashing in an internet post ;-)
    . . . but, I keep trying as well.
  • blip
    Awesome.

    Glenn Beck's arguments just crumble in the face of even the most lighthearted, trivial scrutiny.

    Thanks for the video.
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