Firstly, I apologize for not putting this in the US Politics topic, and secondly, I apologize for it not being present so much as a debate. But I must say something.

1. "To pay as a remission of taxes to every poor family, out of the surplus taxes, and in room of poor-rates, four pounds a year for every child under fourteen years of age;"

2. "It is painful to see old age working itself to death, in what are called civilised countries, for daily bread... pay to every such person of the age of fifty years ... the sum of six pounds per annum out of the surplus taxes, and ten pounds per annum during life after the age of sixty... This support, as already remarked, is not of the nature of a charity but of a right."

3. "To create a national fund, out of which there shall be paid to every person, when arrived at the age of twenty-one years, the sum of fifteen pounds sterling, as a compensation in part, for the loss of his or her natural inheritance, by the introduction of the system of landed property:"

These words, they speak like spoken from a socialist. Who wrote these words? Lenin? Marx?

No, much earlier than that. Thomas Paine, writer of Common Sense. Yet in spite of this, who oft states this man as an inspirational icon against the Left? Glenn Beck. Beck holds this man as an inspiration, yet seems to completely disregard the true intentions of the man. Not just Thomas Paine, but many, if not all, of our Founding Fathers as well. Nor is this exclusive to Beck, but rather, the whole of the Republican Party seems to be swept in the cultivation by icons like Beck, Palin, Hannity, O'Reilly, and Limbaugh.

What spurred me to write this? The news that Beck is going to start his own online "university." It is not enough to desecrate not only the history but intentions of our country, no, it must be spread to the masses. They may call it an ideology, I call it a cancer. It even has a logo.

"Tyrannis Sedito Obsequium Deo" - or very loosely translated: ""To tyrants, uprising -- obedience to God." Or something like that. Tyrants, tyrants, tyrants. Always about the tyrants...

Who are the real tyrants? Do you expect me to say Republicans? No, I will not go down that road. What I will say is that the Republican party is a semi-fascist party. And unlike them in their criticism of the Left, I can actually provide a solid argument for this.

The core tenants of fascism is radical nationalism, populism, an opposition to Marxism/Socialism/etc., liberalism, and conservatism. It rejects the concepts of class struggle and internationalism. The gaining of power and shutting out of opposition. Ability to wage war. It seeks out a strong collective national identity, and strong leadership.

The Republicans use anti-Americanism as an electoral platform, repeatedly - liberals are anti-American, socialism is anti-American, they all hate America! And America is No. 1! It is a gift to the Earth by God himself! We are the best, greatest, nation in the world!

Radical nationism - check.

Listen to how much they'll bring up how conservatism and groups like the Tea Party are "populist." How "the people" didn't want health care, in spite of the fact the majority either favored it, or felt it wasn't progressive enough. American people this, American people that. Of course, the Democrats are also to blame for this. But just listen to what the Teabaggers and their icons say the American people want.

Populism - check.

Opposition to anything socialist and liberal, I don't think I need to say much more. Yes, they label themselves as conservative, but remember, I said they're semi-fascist. They are like a fusion of conservatism and fascist thought. They blame liberalism and socialism for ruining America, for being the destruction of our country, or worse, speak of conspiracies.

Class struggle? They are blocking time and time again, right now, to block the extension of unemployment benefits. The are against taxation of the rich, but are silent when the taxes of the poor are raised. They oppose a progressive tax. They support big business and are against unions.

War in Iraq, I don't think I need to say more than that.

Strong leadership. Don't you dare criticize Bush! That's un-American! We're at war! But as soon as Obama is in office, unleash Hell on him, even though we're still at war. National identity? We're a Christian nation.

They want to fight off tyrants? They want to protect our nation? Then they should look in a mirror. They bastardize our history, like what we have seen in the Texas educational system. They bastardize the positions of those who have influenced a great deal of our nation, like Thomas Paine. Just listen to the violent rhetoric of the Tea Party. The insanity, the hypocrisy, the absolute nonsense from their idols! The funny thing about conservatism is this: in order to be "conservative," it has to embrace "traditional" positions. That means it opposes change, yet change is the only way nations progress, lest they wish to join the fallen empires of history. And to completely shut out liberalism like the Republicans and the Teabaggers and the rest of their ilk seem to wish, it will lead to self-destruction under their own stubbornness to adapt.

I know the Democrats and the Left are not spotless, I know we have done and said stupid shit as well. But I don't think it has ever been taken to the sheer extremes as the modern Republican party and the Tea Party. I can settle for disagreement. But I will not accept being called anti-American simply for being a socialist and a liberal. Not even I would call those on the Right anti-American; perhaps many things, but not that.

To listen to what they have to say; they really do make me disgusted, however.

Why care at all about beeing called 'anti-american'. Patriotism is a lame manipulation tool.

I'm a little unclear on what the debate topic here is supposed to be... would you mind clarifying?

I think it's "Are the Right a bunch of idiots?"

What saddens me when I watch these self-proclaimed leaders of the New Right like Glenn Beck is that I remember the Reagan-era conservatives. Say what you will about Reagan, and I didn't agree with him 100%, but at least the Republicans were a thoughtful party back then, with some decent ideas, and some good accomplishments under their belt.

When I first heard about the Tea Party movement, and some of the things they believed in I thought, "Well that sounds intriguing--I don't like big government, either." But then they got rolling and it was clear what they were really about--what Nekowolf said--and I would add to it that they are racist conspiracy-theorists too. Who seem to think Sarah Palin is their great hope for the future.

And old-style Republicans who are trying to be true conservatives are being forced to embrace this whack job movement if they want to keep their jobs.

The problem with a Glenn Beck University is that it's going to be preaching to the choir. It's probably not going to change any minds, because only people who already lurve him will sign up for courses.