Arguing with Idiots
Encyclopedia
Arguing with Idiots is a book written by conservative syndicated radio talk show host Glenn Beck
, in collaboration with his company, Mercury Radio Arts
.
The book is formatted as a series of responses by Beck, dressed up in a variation of an outfit worn by the United States' Founding Fathers, to statements made by the "Idiot", played by Beck, apparently dressed in a parody of a military uniform, with an example picture on the front cover. On the back cover are a few of the negative criticisms Beck has accumulated.
Among the issues Beck discusses are progressivism in the United States
, capitalism
, the Second Amendment
, as well as education
, energy in America, labor unions
, illegal immigration
, the "nanny state
", owning a home, economics
, American presidents
, universal health care
, and the U.S. Constitution.
A review by Christopher Michel in the Brooklyn Rail allows that the book is "readable and fun (sort of)" with "easily findable facts and opinions", but asserts that "if the book's goal is to convince liberals of the validity of the 'truth' according to Beck, it is a dismal failure. The title starts with an insult and the barbs continue inside . . ." According to Michel, Beck's "attempt to shut down contact between liberals and conservatives by encouraging his fans to demean anyone who disagrees with him is saddening and dangerous." However, in the introduction of the book, Beck says, in a sort of disclaimer, that "The Idiot" could mean "a political activist with an agenda bigger than a brain" or "a well intentioned person who's just a little misinformed" and "sometimes the idiot is, well, me."
Reviewing the book for the conservative FrontPage Magazine, David Forsmark opines that "much of it is really, really, good." According to Forsmark, "like most libertarian-leaning writers Beck is best at economic issues, really good at arguing for the second amendment and other constitutional issues, and weaker on social issues and history." Forsmark criticizes the title of the book as "needlessly confrontational" and its cover as not one "that will attract the unconvinced."
The liberal
advocacy group Media Matters
and MSNBC
host Keith Olbermann
criticized the book for misconstruing and applauding Article I, Section 9, Clause 1 of the Constitution which effectively prohibited Congress from banning the importation of slaves until 1808 while allowing a tax not to exceed 10 dollars on "each person" imported. Beck had written that "the Founders actually put a price tag on coming to this country: $10 per person. Apparently they felt like there was a value to being able to live here. Not anymore. These days we can’t ask anything of immigrants — including that they abide by our laws." Later in the book, Beck called the slave trade horrendous and described how the clause protected and extended the practice.
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, in collaboration with his company, Mercury Radio Arts
Mercury Radio Arts
Mercury Radio Arts is media personality Glenn Beck’s fully integrated production company and media platform. Mercury produces all Glenn Beck related properties including The Glenn Beck Program, America’s third highest-rated radio show, books authored by Beck and other authors Mercury Radio Arts is...
.
The book is formatted as a series of responses by Beck, dressed up in a variation of an outfit worn by the United States' Founding Fathers, to statements made by the "Idiot", played by Beck, apparently dressed in a parody of a military uniform, with an example picture on the front cover. On the back cover are a few of the negative criticisms Beck has accumulated.
Among the issues Beck discusses are progressivism in the United States
Progressivism in the United States
Progressivism in the United States is a broadly based reform movement that reached its height early in the 20th century and is generally considered to be middle class and reformist in nature. It arose as a response to the vast changes brought by modernization, such as the growth of large...
, capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
, the Second Amendment
Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second...
, as well as education
Education in the United States
Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
, energy in America, labor unions
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
, illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
, the "nanny state
Nanny state
A nanny state is the perception of a situation characterised by governmental policies of over-protectionism, economic interventionism, or heavy regulation of economic, social or other nature....
", owning a home, economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, American presidents
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
, and the U.S. Constitution.
Reception
Arguing with Idiots took the No. 1 spot on the New York Timess Non-fiction Best Seller list within the first week of release.A review by Christopher Michel in the Brooklyn Rail allows that the book is "readable and fun (sort of)" with "easily findable facts and opinions", but asserts that "if the book's goal is to convince liberals of the validity of the 'truth' according to Beck, it is a dismal failure. The title starts with an insult and the barbs continue inside . . ." According to Michel, Beck's "attempt to shut down contact between liberals and conservatives by encouraging his fans to demean anyone who disagrees with him is saddening and dangerous." However, in the introduction of the book, Beck says, in a sort of disclaimer, that "The Idiot" could mean "a political activist with an agenda bigger than a brain" or "a well intentioned person who's just a little misinformed" and "sometimes the idiot is, well, me."
Reviewing the book for the conservative FrontPage Magazine, David Forsmark opines that "much of it is really, really, good." According to Forsmark, "like most libertarian-leaning writers Beck is best at economic issues, really good at arguing for the second amendment and other constitutional issues, and weaker on social issues and history." Forsmark criticizes the title of the book as "needlessly confrontational" and its cover as not one "that will attract the unconvinced."
The liberal
Liberalism in the United States
Liberalism in the United States is a broad political philosophy centered on the unalienable rights of the individual. The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion for all belief systems, and the separation of church and state, right to due process...
advocacy group Media Matters
Media Matters for America
Media Matters for America is a politically progressive media watchdog group which says it is "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Set up as a 501 non-profit organization, MMfA was founded in 2004 by journalist and...
and MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
host Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann
Keith Theodore Olbermann is an American political commentator and writer. He has been the chief news officer of the Current TV network and the host of Current TV's weeknight political commentary program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, since June 20, 2011...
criticized the book for misconstruing and applauding Article I, Section 9, Clause 1 of the Constitution which effectively prohibited Congress from banning the importation of slaves until 1808 while allowing a tax not to exceed 10 dollars on "each person" imported. Beck had written that "the Founders actually put a price tag on coming to this country: $10 per person. Apparently they felt like there was a value to being able to live here. Not anymore. These days we can’t ask anything of immigrants — including that they abide by our laws." Later in the book, Beck called the slave trade horrendous and described how the clause protected and extended the practice.