For someone who proclaims himself really a "History" buff, Glenn Beck has a currently airing ad campaign that touts "Big Government doesn't work. Big Government has Never Worked".
The ad campaign, running across most of his radio stations made me pause for a second. Really? Sometimes, I find it hard to say "NEVER" because "NEVER" is seldom true. Most historians know that. They are the kind of people who don't often say "NEVER". So, to contradict "NEVER". I thought, well, if I could show just one time.. it worked. But then I thought: too easy. Let's think of just ONE time that a Republican made Big Government Work. Make it difficult for myself, you know, because I'm hip like that and I want to meet him more then half way. So, I thought, can I come up with some "Big Government" federal programs started by Republicans that.. you know, notably work? Hmmm....
While I just need one, I could make pages and pages. But I just thought I'd throw out a couple, of those "evil" big government programs that "NEVER" work.
So, just a few I'd throw out:
The Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed in by that guy, oh, that Republican.. what was his name.. oh yeah, George HW Bush. Maybe one of the most significant and sweeping CIVIL RIGHTS laws since the 60s, or the last 40 years. The ADA provided more Americans with access to places to work, living and housing and educational opportunities. Talk about Big Federal Government!
http://www.amsvans.com/...
http://www.opm.gov/...
Employment and Opportunity for those with disabilities. What a failure. Damn that Bush Sr! Doesn't he know big government NEVER works!
Maybe he didn't learn from this guy:
When Eisenhower signed in the Federal Highway Act 1956, to build interstate highways and to create interstates, federal highways roadways and bridges, people were stunned. It was one of the largest federal initiatives since WWII.
But what the heck did he know! Of course it's a monumental failure! Big Government ALWAYS fails. It NEVER succeeds! How did he not understand that!
Biographer Stephen E. Ambrose stated, "Of all his domestic programs, Eisenhower's favorite by far was the Interstate System." Eisenhower's 1963 memoir, Mandate for Change 1953-1956, explained why:
More than any single action by the government since the end of the war, this one would change the face of America. ... Its impact on the American economy - the jobs it would produce in manufacturing and construction, the rural areas it would open up - was beyond calculation.
The next 40 years would be filled with unexpected engineering challenges, unanticipated controversies, and unforeseen funding difficulties. Nevertheless, the president's view would prove correct. The interstate system, and the federal-state partnership that built it, changed the face of America.
Oh wait! It did succeed! The federal Highway system now accounts for a majority of the commercial income in the US, as goods are transported through it, shipped using it, and people move on it.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/...
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN! I THOUGHT BIG GOVERNMENT NEVER EVER WORKS!! GLEN BECK TOLD ME SO!!!
And that Eisenhower, dangit, outside of fighting for what he wanted, he worked compromises and both sides of the isle and got an 89-1 vote for a "big government" plan. What kind of Republicans went along with that! What President could propose such a thing!
And what the hell, Eisenhower! Just the year before you did this other Big Government Program!
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/...
You approved what? Federal Funding and major spending to provide Polio Vaccine to all children everywhere?
- Vaccination Programs. To assure that no child is denied vaccination by reason of its cost, some states and localities may operate mass free public vaccination programs for all children.
Other states may provide free vaccination only for children whose parents are unable to pay, through clinics, schools and preschool programs, or by furnishing free vaccine to private physicians. In those States, a portion of the State allocation of vaccine will flow into normal drug distribution channels for the exclusive use of children in the priority age brackets--to be administered by family doctors.
To assist the States in providing free vaccinations, I have recommended that the Congress enact legislation making $28 million available to the States for the purchase of vaccine. This legislation is now being considered by the appropriate Committees of the Congress and I urge its immediate adoption.
What were you thinking IKE! Jeez! Another big government failure! What the hell was the federal government thinking when you started all this "let's fund you to give free vaccines" You freaking SOCIALIST!
If you don't know history, you are doomed to repeat it.. at least that's the saying.
It appears apt in the case of Beck that if you don't know history, you can mis-educate others who also don't remember history and just change it to make your point.
I propose if he's going to change it again, could he at least have us finding space aliens? Or, I would also be OK with a rousing story of Zombies involved in the Civil War. Could be good. Wait, I'm going to keep that one.. hmmm...